Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/10/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Mark, et al- There is a fundamental difference with the way RC paper respond that is very different from Fiber based paper. The emulsion on the RC sits atop a layer of polyethylene resin, and this 'barrier that keeps wet time down, and processing times short also have an effect on the 'tone' of the paper. The so called 'Fiber Based' papers have the silver halide emulion coated directly onto the paper, and the paper itself absorbs some of the silverhalide, and in effect gives a 'thicker' or added dimension of material that is light sensitive. The older fiber based papers were 'soft' and had so much 'depth' because the paper directly under the emulsion was light sensitive, and as the light scattered through the emulsion, it to was exposed, and with sufficient development, this silver halide could be developed. With RC paper, the sensitive layer sits atop a wet proof layer, developes out very quickly, and will usually be much sharper and with a higher contrast than the fiber based paper. If you have a densitometer (reflection type) expose a piece of RC paper, and a piece of fiber based- the same type- say Ilford MG to room light do get maximum exposure, develope them for three minutes to get maximum density, and if your densitometer is like mine, there will be a difference- the fiber based will have a greater Dmax than the RC paper. Longevity notwithstanding, you get a possibility of a 'better' print from your fiber based paper, and that is why I think it is enjoying a resurgence of popularity. It actually 'looks' better to the eye. Dan (subjective opinion not necessarily as those of management....) Post > > Is it still necessary to use fiber papers to get the best possible results? Or are some of the other papers up to scratch? (Just > > wondering if there's a way around using trays, as I don't like to expose myself to chemicals; my lab has a decent machine.) > > > > DC > > I think behind glass you can't tell the difference. I also hear the RC stuff is > setup to last as long as Fiber from what they can now guess.