Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/06/15

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Subject: [Leica] Kodak Discontinuing B&W Paper
From: tim at KairosPhoto.com (Timothy Atherton)
Date: Wed Jun 15 18:05:39 2005

> Mpix (http://mpix.com)--a division of Millers--uses some kind of
> Kodak paper
> for "true" B&W prints.  Same idea as a Fuji frontier, but on B&W paper.
> Wonder if this paper is going away, too, or just their traditional B&W.

Here's the release I was sent:

Kodak Announces Discontinuance of KODAK PROFESSIONAL Black & White Papers

June 15, 2005 Due to the significant declines in market usage of papers
designed for Black-and-White printing, Kodak is discontinuing the
manufacture of all KODAK PROFESSIONAL Black & White Papers.

This announcement has no impact on the production or availability of
Kodak's portfolio of Black & White Films and Chemicals for processing
Black and White Papers or Films.

Most of the Black & White Paper products will remain available through the
end of 2005 - although depending on demand, some specific formats or
products may be exhausted sooner. The paper products affected are:

KODAK PROFESSIONAL

Digital Black & White Paper RC base -For Digital Exposure -Traditional

B & W Process,

KODAK PROFESSIONAL

POLYCONTRAST IV RC Paper RC base -For Optical Exposure - Traditional

B & W Process

KODAK PROFESSIONAL V-PRINT Paper RC base -For Optical Exposure -
Traditional B & W Process

KODAK PROFESSIONAL

KODABROME II RC Paper RC base -For Optical Exposure - Traditional

B & W Process

KODAK PROFESSIONAL

PANALURE Select RC Paper RC base -For Optical Exposure - Traditional

B & W Process

KODAK PROFESSIONAL

POLYMAX Fine Art Paper Fiber base - For Optical Exposure - Traditional

B & W Process

KODAK PROFESSIONAL

AZO Paper Fiber base - For Optical Exposure - Traditional

B & W Process

KODAK PROFESSIONAL

PORTRA Black & White Paper RC base -For Optical and Digital Exposure

RA- 4 Process

KODAK PROFESSIONAL

PORTRA Sepia Paper RC base -For Optical and Digital Exposure

RA- 4 Process

-0-0-0-0-0

Worst news imo is AZO - no alternative yet (though hopes there may be)

> While I use Kodak chemicals, I'm not sure if I've ever used any
> of their B&W
> paper.  When I was using a real darkroom, it was always Ilford
> paper.  I'll
> be bummed if Xtol disappears.  Reason enough to get a scale and starting
> mixing my own.

developers are the easiest of the lot to do yourself + there are numerous
niche producers (including some "similar to Xtol" products). And you can
always just mix up your own D23 with two chemicals and a teaspoon...

tim





In reply to: Message from ericm at pobox.com (Eric) ([Leica] Kodak Discontinuing B&W Paper)