Re: [Leica] B&W paper

["Dan Post" <dpost@triad.rr.com>]

Mark-
Right you are! The paper is actually coated with what I understand is a
polyethelyne film. The emulsion is applied to the 'resin' coated paper. The
original idea was that the processing chemicals only soaked into the
emulsion and the paper itself did not absorb any and this did two things-
one, it lessened the amount of chemicals needed to process the photograph,
and since this RC paper was originally designed for things like Ektamatic
processors, this feature was necessary. The wash times were vastly reduced
as you didn't have to wash and wash to get the fixer out of the paper
matrix.
Most of the earlier once had the 'developer encorporated' emulsions, and
while they could be developed in regula developer, most processors used an
"Activator" and a "Stabilizer", but it was quickly learned that the RC
papers could be done in trays with all the advantages inherent in the coated
papers.
The only downside is that the RC paper, because of the plastic barrier, keep
all the silver halide material in the emulsion layer. Fiber based paper, and
if you've coated an unsized paper with an emulsion, it is very evident, that
the paper itself will absorb a considerable amount if the silver bearing
solution in the upper layers of the fibers themselves. This give FB paper
that "Je ne sais quoi..." or depth that seems to be absent from the RC
paper.
In fact, one of the most striking images was of a young woman portrayed on a
platinum emulsion that have been applied to a hand-laid watercolor paper
(The stuff that costs about $35 or more for a foolscap sheet of about
32"x40"!). Simply gorgeous! But then again, you get what you pay for, in the
long run!
I think that Ilford has put out some of the best mass produced paper. I can
remember when silver went to $50 and ounce, and all the manufacturers raised
prices and cut back on the silver in the emulsions. When the price came
down, unfortunately, there were very few paper makers willing to go back to
the silver rich emulsions like Cykora, Indiatone, and Portriga that we had i
n days of yore!
I will continue to follow the thread as I would like to find a really good
paper, variable contrast, and silver rich for those 'to die for' tones- no
matter what the cost!
Dan ( pyro tyro) Post
- ----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Rabiner <mark@rabiner.cncoffice.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Sunday, April 09, 2000 7:35 AM
Subject: Re: [Leica] B&W paper


> Ed Buziak wrote:
> >
> > Dan,
> >
> > I share your thoughts and findings on the Ilford vs. Agfa line... I used
to
> > use Ilford products 90% of the time until they launched MG IV. Whilst
many
> > other folks (and reviewers especially) loved it I found I couldn't print
at
> > all with it... must have been my negatives that were wrong after 30+
years
> > of home-processing <S>.
> >
> > Although I can't get a decent print from Ilford MG IV... their new
> > "Cooltone" paper (OK, plastic) is superb... they have GOT to bring it
out in
> > the real stuff, and when they do it will be a VERY popular material. It
> > isn't all that "cold" to look at when processed... and it can be made to
> > look almost warm in the right brew, but it sure is a rich paper (sorry,
I
> > mean plastic).
> >
> > Ed Buziak / Publisher
> > Camera & Darkroom magazine
> >
> ><Snip>
> I thought RC paper really was paper! Just a thin amount encased in Resin!
My
> darkroom sink is encased in Resin!
> Mark Rabiner