Black and White Paper Guide
 
 
AGFA MULTlCONTRAST PREMIUM 

AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM is a variable-contrast black-and-white photo paper on resin coated base. 

Characteristics: 

  •  MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM is an all-purpose B/W enlargement paper, whose contrast can be varied with colour filters.
  •  Features a similar contrast range to conventional fixed-contrast papers, and so can replace the grades of conventional B/W papers.
  •  When used with the special contrast control filters, it permits simple exposure control without complicated exposure time conversions.
  •  Can be exposed in all enlargers and printers, and processed like conventional resin-coated B/W papers. Is suitable both for dish and machine processing.
  • Achieves the same print quality as conventional B/W papers.
  • Consequently, even the most discriminating consumer can now enjoy the advantages and convenience of a black-and-white paper with variable contrast for all areas of pictorial photography.

The range 
  • AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM MCP 310 RC glossy (natural high gloss)
  • AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM MCP 312 RC semi-matt
AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM is available both in sheets and rolls, in the standard commercial sizes. 
Special formats are available on request. 
Minimal variations in the dimensions/sizes are possible - due to cutting tolerances and expansion effects (to DIN 4506 Part 1 and ISO 1008). 
Information on the black-and-white photo papers with fixed contrast are given in the Technical Data sheet P-50-P. Infor mation on AGFA MULTICONTRAST CLASSIC (variable contrast BW paper on fibre base) is summarised in the Technical Data sheet P-54-P. 
Packaging 
The original packaging protects the paper from light and brief exposure to humidity and fumes. 
The inside packaging for sheets and rolls consists of lightproof PE bags or PE foils. The outside packaging is an orange cardboard wallet or a box with a tongued lid for sheets, and a corrugated cardboard tongued box for rolls. 
The outside packaging alone does not provide adequate pro tection from light. Use both the inside and outside packaging for storing paper in opened packs. 
Emulsion number 
A product coding is printed on the label. It consists of the five place ABC code. This is followed by the emulsion number and some code letters serving internal inspection purposes. 
An internal order number starting with an X is printed on the second line. 
The first code line should always be given in enquiries and complaints. The second code line provides helpful information for internal investigations. 
Paper coding 
Base weight, paper tint and surface characteristics are indicated by a numerical code. This is as follows: 
 
3 . . =  polyethylene / resin-coated paper (RC)
 . 1 . =  white paper tint 
. . 0 =  glossy (natural high gloss)
 . . 2 =  semi-matt surface
 

 Example: 
 

MCP 310 RC  = MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM,  
RC/PE base, white, glossy
 MCP 312 RC  = MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM, 
RC/PE base, white, semi-matt
 

 The labels are colour-coded as follows: 
 

RC paper  = colour bar, crosswise orange
 Surface 310  = colour bar, lengthwise mauve
 Surface 312  = colour bar, lengthwise yellow 
A UPC bar code is printed on the labels (sheets). 

Storage 

Black and white photo papers should be kept cool, dry and protected from harmful fumes. Temperatures under 20 C/ 68 F and a relative humidity of 50 % to 60 % ensure that the papers will keep well over a very long period. 
Opened packs should be closed well after use (inside and outside packaging), and if possible not stored in darkrooms or other wet rooms, only in cool and dry areas. 
The natural ageing process of photopapers is considerably retarded by refrigeration or deep freezing. The paper must however be taken out of cold storage some hours before use, and brought up to room temperature. 

Paper design 

Base 
Sandwiched paper coated on both sides with polyethylene. 
 

Thickness:  approx. 252 Nm 
Weight:  approx. 270 g/m2
 

 Emulsion 

The light-sensitive layer contains a fine-grain silver chlorobromide emulsion. 
 

Silver content: approx 1 .5 g/m2 
  
Protective layers 

The two protective layers protect the paper from friction fogging and physical damage. 

 

Maximum density 

Both surfaces achieve at least the following maximum densities, assuming that the exposure and development are correct. 
MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM MCP 310 RC: Dmax = 225 
MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM MCP 312 RC: Dmax = 225 
 
Density curves 

Exposure: tungsten light 3000 K, time 10 s 
Filters: contrast control filters 0, 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 and UV blocking filter 
Development: AGFA MULTICONTRAST DEVELOPER Densitometry: read with visual filter (V) 
The exposure given in tux seconds applies to the combination of paper and filter. 

 
  
 
Spectral sensitivity 

(related to equal-energy spectrum) 
The graph below shows the densities of 0.5 (I), 1 .0 (II) and 1 .5 (III) measured in reflection. The sensitivity is the reciprocal of the exposure (in ml/m2) needed to produce the relevant densities. 

 

 

Sensitivity (speed) 

(to ISO Standard 6846) 
AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM has a speed of ISO P 400 when exposed to white light (without filter). The contrast then reached is about equivalent to the contrast with filter "2" 
. If contrast control filters are used, the speed is: 

  •  for the "0" to "3'/z" filters = ISO P 160
  •  for the "4" to "5" filters - ISO P 80
Halving the ISO figure corresponds to halving the speed, and doubling it doubles the speed. 
 
Reciprocity 

The reciprocity characteristics of AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM are virtually unrelated to the filtration. The photo graphic speed falls slightly as the exposures lengthen, while the contrast remains nearly constant. 

 

  
Latent image 

AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM has outstanding latent image features. The speed and contrast remain virtually un changed, regardless of the filtering, for a period of up to three days. 

 

 
Exposure and contrast grading 

AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM can be exposed on all standard enlargers (with or without colour mixing heads), and on enlargers with special modules for variable-contrast papers. 
As can be seen from the spectral sensitivity curves (see page 4), MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM is sensitized both for the blue and green spectral ranges. The contrast grading is set by selective colour exposure: 

  •  Magenta filtration affects only the blue spectral range and produces steep contrast.
  •  Yellow filtration affects the green spectral range and produces flat contrast.
The contrast grading can therefore be varied virtually continuously, from extra-hard to extra-soft, depending on the blue and green light content of the exposure. 
The following methods are suitable for varying the contrast: 

1. Standard commercial filter sets for variable-contrast black-and-white papers 
They are available as: 

  •  filter foils for use in the filter drawer of the enlarger (in several formats), or
  •  filter set with adapter for mounting under the enlarger lens, or on the red filter pin of the enlarger.
The "0" to "5" filter designations correspond to the grade numbers of conventional black-and-white photo papers. Each filter set includes extra filters with intermediate values, for fine corrections. 
The right grade is found by producing a series of test exposures with different filters: 
  •  for contrasty negatives filters "0" to "1"
  •  for negatives with normal contrast range filters "2" to "3"
  • for low-contrast negatives filters "4" to "5"
The filters are designed to require the same exposure time, as found by testing, when the "0" to "3'/z" filters are used. This time has to be doubled for the "4", "4'h" and "5" filters. If the exposure time is found with the "4", "4'/z" or "5" filters, the time for a softer grade (i.e. filters "3'/z" to "0") has to be halved. 

Partial filtering 

MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM offers the great advantage that individual areas of negatives which are tricky to enlarge can be exposed with different contrast control filters (e.g. for landscapes the sky areas with the "1 " filter, and the rest of the image with "4" filter). Partial re-exposure and shading with filters will not only balance differences in brightness within one negative, they will also produce partial variations in contrast. 

Exposure without filters 

MULTICONTRAST CLASSIC can also be exposed without filters. In this case the resulting contrast grade is"2", and the speed is more than doubled or the exposure time shortened by more than half . 

2. Yellow and magenta filters in colour mixing heads 
The manufacturers' filter density ratings are not identical. The exposure time has to be converted or found for each filter. The entire contrast range is not covered by some colour heads. 
3. Vario-contrast modules 
Vario-contrast modules with filters and computer logic are available as add-ons for enlargers, to find the exposure time required in each case. 
4. Colour printing filters (yellow and magenta) 
The contrast of MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM can also be varied with the subtractive printing filters in a printing filter set. The disadvantages of this method are a partial reduction in the contrast range, and the necessity to convert the exposure times. 

Exposure on colour printers 

AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM can be exposed on modi fied colour printers. The equipment manufacturers provide special instructions for modification. 
A suitable programme is already installed in the Agfa printers COLORMATOR C 8 and COLORMATIC 30 MC, which permits the use of AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM. 
A "black-and-white process 135" kit (hardware and special software) is available for the Agfa high-output MSP/MSP Plus printers. 

Exposure on printers with pre-exposure systems 

AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM can be exposed in usual BW printers with a pre-exposure system (e. g. AGFA VARIOGRAD) without major changes to the equipment. Fur ther informations on request. 
Exposing and filtering MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM 
 

Grade and grade numbers as for graded papers  ES 
0
 S 
  1
   S* 
 2
  N 
 3 
H 
 EH  
5
Real speed of 
AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM (ISO 6846) without Filter 
ISO  P  400
Contrast control filters  0  1/2 1 1 1/2 2 2 1/2 3 3 1/2 4 1/2 5
Effective speed of 
AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM  (ISO 6846) with Filter
ISO  P  160 ISO  P  80
 * Basic grade ("Special') of AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM which can also be achieved without filtering. The effective speed is then ISO P 400. 
 

 

Filtration with colour printing filters or colour mixing heads 
 

Contrast control filter 0 1/2 1 1 1/2 2 2 1/2 3 3 1/2 4 4 1/2 5
Filtering with Kodak CP or CC filters *  80 Y  55 Y  30 Y  15 Y  -  25 M  40 M  65 M  100 M  150 M  200 M
Filtering with Durst colour mixing head *(test with Durst CLS 501 )  60 Y  45 Y  30 Y  10 Y  20 M  30 M  50 M  70 M  100 M  130 M
* Exposure factors must be individually found by test exposures. (Y= yellow filter, M= magenta filter) 
All the filtrations are guides only. They depend on the combination of the characteristics and state of the filters, the enlarging lamp (age) and the enlarger (plus mixing head). 
Further filter characteristics can be obtained from the equipment manufacturers. 
 
 
 Print tone 

The print tone is primarily a characteristic of the emulsion. It depends on the size and structure of the processed image silver. Large grains of silver produce a colder print tone, and finer grain structures a warmer tone. The tone of black-and white photo papers can be varied within narrow limits by the development and by special treatment. 

The print tone of AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM is neu tral-black to slightly warm-black, depending on the developer. When processed with AGFA MULTICONTRAST DEVELOPER, MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM has a neutral-black print tone, and with NEUTOL LIOUID WA a more warm-black print tone. 

The print tone of black and white photo papers can in addition be influenced by the following factors. 
 

  • When the paper hardens during lengthy storage, the print tone becomes generally slightly colder.
  • The tone may change as the developer becomes exhausted. The slightest contamination of the developer with thiosulphate makes the tone initially slightly warmer. Worse contamination on the other hand makes the tone colder, and there is also an increased tendency to fogging.
  •  If the intermediate wash is insufficient, or the stop bath is very exhausted, the blacks may turn blue.
  • Too long fixing times, variations in concentration and con tamination of the fixer affect the original tone.
  • Too short or much too long final washes (several hours) may change the print tone.
  • Drying in room climate or in hot air produce different print tones (hot drying much warmer).
Printing range 

The printing range of a photo paper is defined as the ratio of the exposure times necessary to produce a defined maximum and minimum blackness. Normally this ratio is not given arithmetically, e.g. 4:1 , 10:1 or 32:1 , but logarithmically, that is for the examples given 0.6, 1.0 and 1.5. These figures simultaneously correspond to the maximum difference in density of a suitable negative. 

The printing range is therefore the greatest permissible exposure interval in which you can still identify details, both in the shadows and highlights. It provides information on the negative contrast - that is the maximum difference in density - that can be rendered on a photo paper, making use of the complete grey scale from white to black. 

Paper with soft grade has a wide printing range. It can render the great variations in density of a contrasty (hard) negative. Paper with hard grade has a small printing range, and is therefore suitable for low-contrast (soft) negatives with small variations in density. 

To avoid decimal figures for the printing range, the logarithmic figures to the ISO Standard 6846 are multiplied by 100 and suffixed with an "R" (= range). The printing ranges in the examples given above are therefore standardized at R 60, Rl00 and Rl50. 

The printing range (ISO range) of AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM is shown in the following table. When exposed to white light (without filters), MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM has an ISO range of R 90. 

Printing range of MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM 
 

Filter 0 1 2 3 4 5
ISO range  R 130  R 1 10  R 90  R 75  R 60  R 50
These figures are averages in used state depending on ageing, storage and processing. 
Toning 

Toning processes convert the black image to a different colour. They deposit coloured metal compounds on the silver grain. Toned photos keep particularly well (archive proofing), because these silver complex compounds are more stable against pollutants. Toning is the best print silver stabilisation method. Only prints which are correctly exposed, developed as specified, fixed in as fresh fixer as possible and well washed are suitable for toning. In principle, any black and white papers can be toned. However, papers with warm-black print tone are most suitable. 

There are two toning methods, direct and indirect. Direct toning converts the silver image to a different silver compound in one operation. Indirect toning involves bleaching first. A second solution creates a new image, consisting of a silver compound with a different colour. 

The simplest method is toning with AGFA VIRADON. It has the advantage over other toning solutions that the contrast of the prints is unaffected. In some cases the original print should be slightly overexposed (darker). 

Direct toning 
 

VIRADON 1 + 50  1 - 10 min  
(1 part AGFA VIRADON + 50 parts water)  
(depending on intensity needed)
Stop bath  
(10% sodium sulphite solution) 
* only necessary to prevent post-toning in the wash
 1 min 
Final wash  (for further informotions see processing in dishes)
 

Indirect toning 
 

Bleaching in 44 BL bleach * (1 + 3) 
 (1 part 44 BL concentrate + 3 parts water) 
* Process AP 44 (bleach for colour reversal film processing)
 2 - 5 min
or Bleach (AGFA 501 formula) 
500 ml 10% potassium hexacyano-ferrate solution 
100 ml 10% potassium bromide solution  
400 ml water
 5 min 
Wash (running)  5 min
 3 min 
VIRADON 1 + 50 
(possibly stop bath as for direct toning)
Final wash (for further informotions see processing in dishes)
Process temperature 20 C/ 68 F
If the only consideration is a long archive life (image silver stability), the direct toning method should be used, since this changes the print tone less (towards reddish-brown). Indirect toning produces much warmer print tones (yellow-brown). 

Darkroom safelights 
Since AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM is an orthochro matically sensitized black-and-white photo paper (sensitive to blue and green light), special care must be taken in chasing the right darkroom safelights. The following filter screens or lights can be recommended as direct lighting for the working area. 
 

  • Light with AGFA / Meteor darkroom filter "G7" and 15 watt incandescent lamp, minimum distance 1 m, max. period of action 3 minutes.
  • Light with Kodak filter "0C" and 15 watt incandescent lamp, minimum distance 1 m, max. period of action 4 minutes.
  • Light with Ilford filter "902" and 15 watt incandescent lamp, minimum distance 1 .2 m, max. period of action 2 minutes.
  • Osram "Duke 50" with red filter, minimum distance 1 m, max. period of action 4 minutes.
  •  Kindermann "Dukalux Electronic", minimum distance 1 m, max. period of action 4 minutes.
  • Ilford SL 1 lamp, minimum distance 1 .2 metres, max. period of action 2 minutes.
Other lights can also be used, but a test should always be made before use as a precaution. Since the contrast is affected before any fogging occurs (a shift to "soft"), the test should be carried out as follows: 
  •  Two prints are exposed with the same exposure time of a negative with medium contrast or of a stepped grey wedge. One print is processed immediately, and the second after it has been exposed to the safelight for the recommended time.
  • If both prints have the same contrast, the safelight is acceptable.
  • If the second print is softer, this must be remedied by dimming the light, increasing the distance from the working area, indirect lighting, shortening the period of exposure, or using a different filter.
Processing in roller transport machines 

AGFA MULTICONTRAST PREMIUM is also suitable for processing in machines of the roller transport type, if the solutions are properly replenished. (For further details see the P-56-C Technical Data brochure.) 

Processing in dishes 
 

Processing sequence  Process solution  Process times
20 C/ 68 F  25 C/ 77 F
Developer  MULTICONTRAST DEVELOPER 
Standard dilution 1 + 4  s 
Economy dilution 1 + 6 
50+- 10 s 
75+- 15 s
30+- 10  
50+- 10 s
NEUTOL  
NEUTOL LIQUID NE, WA
Standard dilution 1 + 7  60+- 10 s  45+- 10 s
Economy dilution 1 + 11  90+- 10 s 60+- 10 s
NEUTOL NE, WA, BL   
60+- 10 s
  
45+- 10 s
Stop bath   2 % acetic acid   10 s 
Fixer MULTICONTRAST FIXER 1 + 4 
MULTICONTRAST FIXER 1 +7
20+- 10 s 
40+- 15 s
Wash  running water, over 12 C/ 54 F 
running water, under 12 C/ 54 F
 2 min. 
 4 min. 
 
 Use exposure times which allow the prints to be fully developed in the specified times. Slightly longer developing times (up to 3 min.) are not critical as a rule. 
The specified fixing times should if possible not be exceeded. 
The ADAPTOL, AGETOL LIQUID and METINOL developers and the AGEFIX and ACIDOFIX fixers can also be used, bearing in mind their special features. Other standard black-and-white paper developers and fixers are also suitable. (For further details refer to the P-56-C Technical Data brochure.) 

Drying 
The following drying methods are possible. 

  • Drying in special infrared dryers. This type of drying lends high-gloss papers a specially good gloss. 
  • Drying in RC paper dryers which blow warm air on the prints passing through. 
  • Warm-air drying in drying cabinets.
  • Atmospheric drying on racks (wipe down the surface of the prints beforehand with a damp cloth, to stop drying stains). It is not possible to dry the paper on drying drums or in glazing presses, as is the case with all resin-coated papers. 
Print silver stabilizer 
AGFA SISTAN protects prints from changes of the image silver caused by environmental pollution. This first becomes apparent as reddish to yellowish-brown discolouration of the highlights, and may eventually destroy the complete print, due to the image silver being changed into colloidal silver. 
The sources of pollution are mainly industrial and car fumes, fumes from heating oil, ozone, synthetic paints, compressed boarding, non-acid-free cardboard, glues and adhesive tapes, freshly cut PVC, brittle rubber and all substances giving off peroxide. 
The properly processed prints are placed after the final wash for one minute in a solution of 25 ml SISTAN + 975 ml water, and then dried. Up to 2 m2 of paper can be treated in 1 litre of SISTAN solution. 
For further information on print silver stabilization see "Toning". 
Print finishing 
Marking 
The following special markers are recommended for writing on 
the fronts and backs of prints. 
 
Pelikan Markana 23  Pelikan, D-30177 Hannover 
Slide marker "OuickpoinY'  Loersch, D-47638 Straelen 
OH-Lux  Faber-Castell, D-90547 Stein
Lumocolor Permanent  Staedtler Mars, D-90419 Nurnberg 
Edding 400 and 3000  C.W. Edding, D-22926Ahrensburg 
Ballpoint pens are also quite suitable for writing on the backs 
of prints. 

Retouching Retouching (spotting) is possible with the standard retouching paints. Use a moist brush. If possible, retouch the prints when wet, to avoid matt areas. Scraping is more difficult with resin coated papers than baryta papers. The standard transparent and opaque paints are suitable for spray-retouching, as used for baryta papers. 

Stamping The special stamping inks for RC papers in black and blue made by Gutenberg Werk mbH, D-55122 Mainz, are suitable for stamping print backs. 

Mounting 
Liquid glues 
 
Bicoll G 6  Bretschneider, D-57684 Unnau 
Efbecol-Pla 12  Branding, D-31275 Lehrte 
Planatol AD 94/5 B  Planatol-Werke, D-83022 Rosenheim 
Cold adhesive films/foils 
 
Gudy products  Neschen, D-31675 Buckeburg 
Lomacoll  Lohmann GmbH, D-56567 Neuwied 
Permaprint  Morgan Adhesives, D-50735 Koln 
Artmount Korn-Sallmetall, D-42766 Haan
Certoplast  Hilsdorf, D-55411 Bingen 
Hot adhesive films/foils 
 
Hot adhesive paper 204  Hilsdorf, D-55411 Bingen 
Ademco D 5  Dry-Mounting GmbH, D-59929 Brilon 
Colormount  Seal, D-70806 Kornwestheim 
 

 

 
Artzone Index We express our gratitude to * Agfa Gevaert Hellas for giving to us the permission to present the above material. 


Concept and Design by Elias Eliadis
Copyright © 1998 Black & White Art Zone. All Rights Reserved. 
First published date 15 July 1998 

 

Paperzone Index
* Agfa-Gevaert S.A.  
16 St. Gonata str. P.O.Box 42017 Peristeri GR- 121 10 ,   
Tel: +301 5763200 Fax: +301 5744900