wschwetz
Dear forum members,
The FOTOIMPEX website specifies the following split grade settings for Classic Arts Polykaltton: ‘Paper normal gradient’ or ‘Forte Polygrade V’. I have tried both settings, but the measurement results displayed are quite different from one another. Particularly with the Forte setting, a contrast of around 0.75 is required to achieve a gradient of 5. Which of the two settings is actually correct, or is there even one that works? My paper is from late 2002.
Wilfried
MirkoBoeddecker
How does the paper perform under 'standard' variable-contrast filters?
Perhaps the base fog has become too high and the contrast has dropped.
Has the paper always been stored in a dry place at a temperature below 17°C?
Best regards,
Mirko
wschwetz
Hello Mirko,
My enquiry concerned the measurement results for the Splitgrade, not the specific paper. For example: with a contrast ratio of 1.0, the recommended exposure time for the Forte setting (RC) is 22 seconds at a gradient of 3.3, whilst for other papers the Normal setting is 18 seconds at a gradient of 2.5. Or, for a contrast of 0.75, the Forte setting suggests 6.5 seconds at grade 5.0 (!) or 10 seconds at grade 3.2. These are, after all, significant differences. The characteristics of the two settings do not seem very similar to me. Based on your website information, I initially assumed that both settings were the same. The ‘Other Papers’ setting clearly yields better results. Incidentally, my papers are stored in the cellar, i.e. at 18–20 degrees in summer and 13–15 degrees the rest of the time.
By the way, I once suggested in Wetzlar that you test your papers. It seems something is coming for Foma, but I’m sceptical about your others. Or do you have other information?
Wilfried
