RC/FB paper exposure consistency

[polyglot]

I bought a stash of Kentmere paper (VC Select, Fineprint VC) a couple of years ago and found that contrast and exposures for the RC and FB were practically identical. Very handy for doing a bunch of cheap fast workprints and then popping out one nice FB copy.

I'm running low now and considering loading up on the Arista Private Reserve stuff on reports here that it's Adox MCP/MCC. Does anyone who uses this paper know if they use the same emulsion on the two bases? Can you do the same trick of keeping the enlarger exposure between different bases?

[Oren Grad]

I don't know whether they're pouring the same soup into the coating machine. But Adox MCP and MCC behave differently, just as Agfa MCP and MCC did. It's not just effective speed; MCP's characteristic curve has a shorter toe, so the tonal scale is different as well.

[jordanstarr]

...I think it's just coincidence that your exposure is consistent between the two. I've never had this happen before and I've printed on the same Forte, Oriental, Ilford batches (or at least bought at the same time from the same store/supplier, new) of both RC and FB at the same time. RC is always shorter exposures and naturally higher contrast, at least for me. I fear that when you run out, you'll have to deal with the inconvenience that all us other printers have to face with different times and contrast. Enjoy it while it lasts!

[Rafal Lukawiecki]

Ilord MGIV FB and RC definitely different for me in the sense of your question. A few years ago I hoped I could get work prints on RC then switch to FB, but it really did not work out at all that way, as I had to start almost from scratch with FB.

[Andy Durazo]

Actually the published speed of Kentmere's Rc and Fb papers are indeed the same. I've been printing that way for some time now too. As far as I know there is no other manufacturer that does this.

Andy