Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/04/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]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