I am under the impression, from Agfa's site, that Multicontrast Classic can take on a warm tone with their Neutol WA developer. I currently use Ilford MG FB WT (in Dektol and 1:9 selenium for cooler images; and Platinum II and 1:5 selenium for warmer ones...approximately), and I was wondering if someone can tell me whether this type of warmth is possible with the Agfa paper? I don't care if the look is identical, just that it is truly 'warm' when needed. The switch is due to financial reasons, as I have recently taken over two-thousand pictures of the same model, in the hopes of getting a whole (subsidiary) portfolio on her, and maybe a show (!). I want consistency, and Ilford works very well, but it is also leaving me consistently broke...If Multicontrast Classic is not the way to go, can someone reccomend to me a cheaper warmtoned fibre paper which might do the job. Thanks all. Shawn

-- shawn gibson (shawn.gibson@utoronto.ca), July 09, 1999

Answers

Agfa 111 will produce a cooler result than Ilford MC Warmtone in selenium, more of a purple-brown than a red-brown. Personally, I find Ilford MC WT too reddish and have recently switched to Agfa 111 for all of my MC work. I develop in Kodak Ektaflo Type II and tone in selenium 1:3 to completion. In my area, Agfa 111 is about 15% cheaper than Ilford MC WT. It is also a bit contrastier, requiring some correction in the MC filter pack.

-- Peter Hughes (leonine@redshift.com), July 09, 1999.

You can try to tone the Agfa MCC in either Kodak polytoner or Brown toner to get a warmer image.In my experience the Agfa paper does not respond well to different types of developer for color change.Try a very dilute solution of brown toner. I tried this but had some problem with the white of the paper picking up a a slight yellow stain, but I think it was the water here. I have heard of others doing this without the staining problem.You could also try Nelsons gold toner which available form photographers formulary, it is a very popular toner. Good luck! Art

-- Art Nichols (Artnichols@syda.org), July 12, 1999.

Bottom line is, the Agfa product is not as warm as the Ilford MG FB WT, and no amount of selenium toning will make it as warm as the Ilford. It responds very well to brown toner, but I've never been completely satisfied with the results. You may wish to consider Forte Polywarmtone or Luminos Classic Warm in either Pearl or Glossy finish--these are both nice papers. The Luminos product has some very unique properties, but it is available only in a 2.5 grade fixed contrast emulsion.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edbuffaloe@earthlink.net), July 12, 1999.

Try the Bergger VC warm tone. Beautiful paper

-- James D. Steele (jdsteele@erols.com), July 13, 1999.