Contact printing on enarging paper

[mihag]

Since Lodima is on the expensive side and Fomalux doesn't come any smaller than 18x24 cm, I'm considering making my first contacts using enlarging paper. Is there a FB paper that can be particularly recommended for the task? Or should I just go for Lodima?

Thanks

[jp]

Normal enlarging paper is all I use.

Choice is very much a personal matter of taste. Glossy will show off more detail. Matte/Pearl has sort of an inkjet look. Fomatone for warm creamy tone. Ilford art300 for some nice texture.

[mihag]

My preference when enlarging from 35mm is matte (Ilford Multigrade 5K and Adox Variotone semi-matte) but since 4x5 contact prints are small I think they look best on glossy paper. I'm glad the Fomatone works; I have some 131 4x6.

[mihag]

Thanks Dakotah. The thing is I'm expecting my first LF camera at the end of July, so no negatives yet. I'm also renovating our house and at the same time moving my present inoperational darkroom to the basement of the house. Hopefully everything should come together by August when I'll start developing and printing again after a year of pause. Meanwhile I'm trying to gather as much information as possible.

[Daniel Stone]

Since Lodima is on the expensive side and Fomalux doesn't come any smaller than 18x24 cm, I'm considering making my first contacts using enlarging paper. Is there a FB paper that can be particularly recommended for the task? Or should I just go for Lodima?

Thanks

you can cut down paper, remember :)

8x10 paper can make (4) 4x5's, etc...

[John Kasaian]

Fomabrom N111 is what I've settled on
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/444382-Fomabrom-FB-Grade-3-(N)-8x10-25-sheets-Glossy-(111)

but I just saw that Emaks is still available

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/220482-Fotokemika-Emaks-K-888-FB-DW-Glossy-Grade-4-8x10-25-sheets

...as is Slavich

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/469282-Slavich-Bromportrait-80-(Double-Weight)-Glossy-Grade-2-8x10-25-sheets

Try 'em all and see which one floats your boat! I've found that all three to be very acceptable for my post-AZO era contact printing with Ansco 130 for my current brew from Photographer's Formulary. YMMV of course!

[mihag]

John, Emaks would be my first choice - what I lovely paper - but since it's no longer manufactured, I'm looking for alternatives. Fomabrom graded and Slavich are difficult to obtain for me. Thanks anyway.

[mihag]

you can cut down paper, remember :)

8x10 paper can make (4) 4x5's, etc...

I would prefer not to.

[David Karp]

I use ADOX MCC110 glossy for my contact printing.

[Drew Wiley]

Any premium paper works well. One of my favorites is Ilford MGWT.

[mihag]

That's comforting.