FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7” Superior Resin Coated 100 Sheets

Product Description

Discover the high-performance paper choice for darkroom enthusiasts and fine art printers — the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7”. This premium resin-coated (RC) photographic paper offers a truly exceptional print experience: the combination of a variable contrast emulsion, a matt finish, and outstanding tonal depth makes it a trusted choice for serious black & white photography.

From the outset, you’ll appreciate that the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7″ sheet size (12.7 × 17.8 cm) is ideal for enlargements, portfolios, or fine art prints. The 100 sheets pack gives you enough volume for project work or multiple print runs. The FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7” delivers professional-grade results with a convenient format.

Under the hood, the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7″ is built on a stable resin-coated base — easy to handle, quick to process and highly compatible with standard darkroom chemistry. According to the manufacturer, the paper is a variable-contrast RC (resin-coated) black & white paper with a wide contrast range. This means the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7″ allows you to control image contrast by using color filters or multigrade heads — giving you from soft to hard grades via the multigrade emulsion.

For finish, the paper is available in a matt surface (there may be glossy versions in other size formats) and offers superb blacks, rich half-tone scale and excellent silver content for archival quality. When you print with FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7″, you’ll see crisp detail, deep blacks and a subtle neutrality of tone which makes it suitable for a broad range of uses.

Key Features at a Glance

• Format: 5 × 7″ (12.7 × 17.8 cm) — ideal for darkroom or fine art prints
• Quantity: 100 sheets — great value for bulk printing or series
• Base: Resin-coated (RC) — convenient, fast to process and durable
• Emulsion: Variable contrast (multigrade) — full control of contrast for each print
• Surface: Matt finish — minimal glare, professional aesthetic
• Ideal uses: Darkroom enlargements, exhibition prints, portfolio prints
• Archival-compatible: Good silver emulsion and handling properties for long-term stability

Why Choose This Paper?

When you opt for the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7”, you’re choosing a paper that stands above standard fixed-grade papers in several ways:

1. Archival reference – While RC papers are not fibre-based, this RC paper is manufactured with serious grade and variable contrast capabilities found in premium papers.
2. Creative flexibility – The variable contrast nature means you don’t need to stock separate grade papers; you can adjust contrast for each negative using filters or multigrade heads.
3. Process efficiency – The resin-coated base reduces processing times, shorter wash times and more convenience, which is ideal for busy labs or repeat prints.
4. Professional aesthetic – With the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7”, you get clear, sharp prints with a wide tonal range, making it suitable for both practice and final exhibition prints.
5. Value for money – With 100 sheets in the pack, you can set up print runs or experimentation without the cost of smaller packs or more expensive fibre-based papers.

How to Use It Effectively

To get the best results from the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7″, here are some best‐practice tips:

• Use a fresh developer suited for RC papers; many standard B/W developer formulas will work, but RC papers tend to process faster.
• Because the paper is variable contrast, use colour filters (yellow, red) or a multigrade head to dial in the contrast you want — test strips are helpful.
• The FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7” has an excellent latitude so slight over or under-exposures can still look good — this helps when working with different negatives.
• For toning/finishing: even though RC papers are less amenable to heavy alternative toning than fibre papers, the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7” responds well to standard selenium or gold toning with careful washing.
• Store the unused pack and your printed sheets flat and dry; RC prints dry more quickly and are stable, so you can handle and trim them faster.

Pairing & Accessories

Since you’re investing in the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7”, you might also consider accessories and associated supplies that complement this pack:

• Darkroom chemistry & fixer compatible with RC papers → you might explore our internal page on [darkroom chemistry & toners]
• Archival mounting supplies for your finished prints → see our [archival sleeves & mounting boards]
• Other paper sizes in the same range if you want variety — check out our [FOMASPEED VAR 312 larger size packs]

For more technical background on RC paper processing and multigrade filters, you can visit the manufacturer’s site: FOMA Bohemia – Fomaspeed Variant 312 technical info.

Who Is This Paper For?

• Fine art photographers who print in darkroom and want a professional result in a convenient format.
• Photography educators and students running print labs who need a reliable variable-contrast paper that’s easy to handle.
• Amateur darkroom enthusiasts who want an upgrade from entry-level fixed-grade papers to more flexible and higher quality stock.
• Labs doing high-volume B/W production prints where efficiency, reliability and cost-effectiveness matter.
• Anyone who wants to experiment with contrast and tonal control in their black & white printing workflow.

Our Some Useful Link:

• Link  of our darkroom chemistry page: e.g. “fixer & toners for RC papers”
• Link of our photo accessories page: “archival sleeves”
• Link of our other photographic paper listing: e.g. “FOMABROM VAR 111” or “ILFORD Direct Positive FB Paper” to boost internal linking structure.
• Link of our  film-loading accessories: e.g. “Bulk Film Loader” page for photographers building full lab workflows.

Learn More:

• FOMA Bohemia – Fomaspeed Variant 312 page — technical specifications, contrast range, base info.

• Link to an article on RC vs fibre-based B/W photographic paper for context and user education: e.g. Darkroom Info – Resin Coated vs Fibre Based Papers (hypothetical example)

• Link to a tutorial on variable contrast black & white printing: e.g. PrintLab – Using Multigrade Filters with Variable Contrast Paper (hypothetical example)
  Ensure the above external links use so you pass value and also improve user trust.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7” and a fixed-grade black & white paper?
FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7” features a variable contrast emulsion (multigrade) that allows you to adjust contrast per print using filters or multigrade head. Fixed-grade papers only have one contrast grade, so you are locked into that grade. This makes the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7” much more flexible and cost-effective for varying negatives.

2. Can I tone prints made on the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7”?
Yes, although it is RC based rather than fibre, the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7” responds well to toning processes such as selenium, gold or sulfur toning. Be sure to wash thoroughly and follow best practices for toning RC paper.

3. What filters or enlarger settings should I use for this multigrade paper?
Since the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7” is variable contrast, use multigrade filters (e.g., shallow yellow for soft contrast, red for hard contrast) or a multigrade head to dial in the contrast you want. Perform test strips to determine optimal exposure and filter combination for each negative.

4. Is the 5×7″ size standard and what’s the advantage of that format?
Yes — 5×7″ (12.7 × 17.8 cm) is a common print size in darkroom work (though many printers also use 8×10 or 11×14). The advantage of the 5×7″ size is cost-effectiveness and suitability for series work, portfolios or smaller art prints; it uses less chemistry and tray space while still delivering high quality output with the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7”.

5. How should I store and mount prints on the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7″ for longevity?
After printing, mount or store prints flat using archival sleeves or boards. Because the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7” is RC based, it dries relatively quickly and is less prone to curling than fibre base, but you should still store it in a stable, dry environment, and mount/trim with acid-free materials for best longevity.

6. Does this paper require special developer or processing conditions?
Not really—standard black & white print chemistry works well. However, RC papers like the FOMASPEED VAR 312 5×7” tend to have shorter development times due to the thin emulsion and resin base (some sources indicate manual processing times of 60–90 seconds at 20 °C). Because of this, many labs use reduced times or more moderate agitation. Always follow the manufacturer’s data sheet.