Gast
Hello!
I recently purchased and processed some Forte Polywarmton paper (FB, VC, glossy) in various sizes (a new delivery following the insolvency issue; the 30x40 cm sheets were delivered in March 2005 and the 18x24 cm sheets in May 2005). Both sizes were processed on the same day in the same developer (Forte Neutralton), fixed in the same way and air-dried.
I noticed the following:
The 18x24 paper is thicker than the 30x40 and has a rather neutral image tone, whilst the 30x40 tends towards a distinct brown tone even in the neutral-tone developer.
Questions:
How can this be explained? Shouldn’t they both have the same emulsion on them?
Could it be that Forte simply repackages some of its products before shipping them?
Which developer is most likely to give me a warm olive-black tone rather than a brownish one?
Thanks in advance for your replies!
Kind regards,
Johannes
MirkoBoeddecker
Johannes,
Until last week, we were still able to supply 18x24 Classic PW14 on museum-weight paper. I believe Forte also had a considerable remaining stock of the 18x24 size.
So it’s still the old paper from the last production run in July 2004.
That explains the difference in the base and also accounts for a difference in the image tone, as the new base has a different background colour.
We don’t sell the Forte developer. I’m afraid I can’t say anything about that. Did you get it from Brenner?
Possible causes of tonal shift include, for example, varying development times and developer temperature. Only if you keep everything constant using a thermometer and stopwatch will you get reproducible results.
For a greenish-brown tone, however, I’d tend to go for the Fomatone. The Forte is more of a brown/brown.
Best regards,
Mirko
Gast
Thanks Mirko for your reply!
What you’re saying seems plausible, as the difference in the emulsions is quite significant – as I said, the 18x24 is neutral-toned, the 30x40 is brown.
The developer dilution, temperature and processing time were absolutely identical (I always use a thermometer, lab timer, etc.!).
I did indeed get the Forte developer from Brenner! I don’t know how good it is; I simply had some leftover stock that had been stored in a dark place for about six months, topped up and treated with Protektan (and which, in my opinion, worked perfectly). Can you tell me anything about the developer (quality, etc.)?
I was just struck by its incredibly long shelf life (1:9 dilution, still as fresh as ever after 8 hours in the tray)!
Best regards from
Johannes
Arthur
Question: Is FORTE Polywarmton the same as ADOX Polywarmton?
I’ve ordered some ADOX Polywarmton baryta paper (24x30) and I’ve also noticed
- The paper thickness is similar to Agfa MCC; it’s not as heavy as I’d expected
- The paper tone is noticeably brownish even when developed in a neutral-tone developer (Neutol NE)
MirkoBoeddecker
If you don’t want the Polywarmton to have a warm tone, the Moersch Blue works very well.
Alternatively, the Vario Classic would of course be recommended, as it does NOT have a warm tone.
That would be my suggestion as a replacement/alternative/comparative product for Agfa. However, it is NOT identical. Vario Classic has a lower speed than Agfa, a higher silver content, a thicker emulsion and must be processed under RED LIGHT (meaning it also has a different sensitisation). Development time: at least 4 minutes until the very last residue of silver has been reduced.
The new Forte/Classic/ADOX base is heavier than the standard 180g double-weight base – though you don’t necessarily notice this just by ‘feeling’ it.
As far as I know, Agfa uses a 180g base, but if they’ve changed that, so much the better – then the supply of this base is at least guaranteed :)
Best regards,
Mirko
Arthur
Thanks, Mirko! That clears everything up. :)
I might give the Vario Classic a go too, though I’ve got orange lighting in the Duka...
FrankJBeckmann
Hi,
Mirko has the red light (please don't get the wrong idea :-) ), I ordered that earlier too.
How long does the Vario Classic PE need to be developed? Four minutes as well?
Bye
Frank
MirkoBoeddecker
Frank,
Although PE and baryta are coated on the same machine—which runs about 25 times slower than Agfa’s—the PE base cannot hold as much silver emulsion as the baryta base.
That’s why the baryta version has ‘more’.
The PE should be fully developed after 2–3 minutes.
Best regards,
Mirko
VARIO CLASSIC ONLY WITH RED LIGHT!
Only a specific shade of orange works. Ilford orange does NOT work.
Please don’t even try it. Stay well away from it ;-)
FrankJBeckmann
Hi Mirko,
Thanks – so in terms of development time, it’s roughly halfway between the Foma Speed Variant and the Polywarmtone.
Unfortunately, my lovely sodium vapour lamp doesn’t work with some papers either. :-(
Bye
Frank
PS: Your software sends out funny invoices. :-)
