Paper Base Colour of Ilford Warmtone MG FB

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Someone gave me a pkt of Ilford FB MG IV and I finally got around to trying a print. I printed a waterfall scene that I'd just printed on Agfa MCP312 (VC RC) using the same exposure time (my scene is probably not one that you'd use this paper for in the 1st place). This did show that the FB was 'slower' as the FB print was lighter. Next time I'll chop up a sheet and do a test :)

Anyways, I digress... I processed both prints in Ilford MG Paper Developer (1:9) and Hypam Fixer (1:9) and washed the FB print for 30mins under running water then allowed to dry. Comparing the two prints, the blacks don't look that much different, but the whites are very different. From samples I expected the FB to have rich (warm) browny blacks and off white paper base, but the paper base is decidely yucky cream!

When I viewed the print in the fixer, it already had the yellow peril look, so I'm thinking the wash wasn't the cause. Is this cream paper base normal?

-- Nigel Smith (nlandgl@unite.com.au), March 25, 2002

Answers

MGWT does have a rather cream base compared to ordinary MG and especially to most RC papers.

If you want chocolate-brown tone, tone it in Kodak selenium toner 1:4 for about eight minutes. But the base color will still be creamy.

-- John Hicks (jhicks31@bellsouth.net), March 26, 2002.


If you want a warmtone paper without the creamy base, try Forte Elegance Warmtone Plus FB. It's a beautiful paper with clean whites on a very heavy stock, and it will produce the richest brown tones in selenium I've ever seen.

Be aware, Forte makes a similar paper called ART, as opposed to PLUS. The ART paper is on a lighter stock, cream-based, and is generally less arty than PLUS--go figure!

-- Ted Kaufman (writercrmp@aol.com), March 26, 2002.


ta! I'll run this print thru some selenium and see what happens!

-- Nigel Smith (nlandgl@unite.com.au), March 26, 2002.

I read your answer with a sense of bemusement. In a time when cold, rich blacks and pristine whites are so much in demand, I myself lament the discontinuation of Agfa Rapid Portriga FB. It was precisely the warm tones and the lush, almost sensual, creamy base tone that imparted a warmth to the clear areas of the picture. Brown or sepia-toned, these photos are captivating and dreamy.

-- Michael Carlo (baudelaire3@webtv.net), March 31, 2002.

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