Making Adox Poly Warmtone

[Ulophot]

I enjoyed this video tour of the regenerated film- and paper-coating plant in Switzerland. Made Oct. 2019.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BO-ubpgC2o

[John Layton]

No time right now to look at this...but I've heard that this paper formulated to replace our dearly beloved (and sadly departed) Forte Poly Warmtone. If so...and if the new stuff is true to the old formulation and is executed accurately/faithfully - then...WOW!!

[Willie]

Which version of the Forte? The old stuff that has Cadmium and was warm like buttery leather? Or after they removed it and never looked the same again?

[Mark Sampson]

Never used this paper. But if its look was dependent on any amount of cadmium in the emulsion (as with the old Agfa Portriga-Rapid) you're probably going to be disappointed- cadmium ain't coming back. But emulsion designers (I've worked with a few) are knowledgeable, talented and capable, so perhaps we'll see something new and beautiful to print on. If/when, I look forward to using the new paper.

[Sasquatchian]

The demise of Forte PolyWarmTone was what made me give up darkroom printing altogether. I still have all that equipment so I might have to think about a twenty-first century darkroom.

[John Layton]

Print (16x20) I made last year...with my very last sheet of Forte - sold this print last August and am still kicking myself for selling. But that's business I guess!
204623

[Duolab123]

Print (16x20) I made last year...with my very last sheet of Forte - sold this print last August and am still kicking myself for selling. But that's business I guess!
204623

I've got unopened boxes of the stuff, always been kept in dry, air conditioned, darkroom I bought a bunch from B&H IN 2001-2002 is it still good?. I put the 8x10 boxes in the fridge a couple years back. I have a 50 sheet box of 20x24. It's beautiful paper, but it's got the crazy split tone thing, and dry down is as dramatic as anything I've ever used. I'm currently enthralled with Fomatone.
Do I get any benefit from anti-fog? I made some portraits with the Polywarmtone Art, I still think those are some of my favorite prints.

[Duolab123]

Print (16x20) I made last year...with my very last sheet of Forte - sold this print last August and am still kicking myself for selling. But that's business I guess!
204623

Looks a bit like a mummified baby Mammoth. Very nice

[Greg Y]

That's quite a teaser, considering B&H hasn't had any Adox for months. Forte Polywarmtone & Fortezo were favourite papers. The highlight separation was so good. All I have left if maybe 20sheets of 11x14. I'd buy a stack in a heartbeat if it became available. As for fogging, benzotriazole would help, but it's worth testing first. I'm not sure which production year my Forte is from but it still prints clean. I do add benzotriazole to the developer for my remaining Guillemot Brilliant VC

[John Layton]

I got a full 50-sheet box of 16x20 Forte thrown in with a Zone VI enlarger which I'd purchased...hmmm...seven years ago? Tested the Forte and found it to be clean, but was very picky about using it - knowing that once it was gone, that would likely be it! In the meantime I've also been having great luck with Ilford Warm Tone, but to be honest if Forte came back I'd go back to it in a heartbeat....and would sign whatever waiver necessary to clear the manufacturer of any liability due to potential cadmium exposure.

...and I like the interpretation of the mummified mammoth - but actually it is a horse having a heart to heart with a chicken (jeesh, and I thought that was so obvious!).

[Duolab123]

This is giving me hope to try my PW. I hoarded it, it sat dormant when I was busy making a living. Now I need to get to work.