AGFA Rapitone or using expired papers

gonzo74 · May 4, 2009

Hi again all,

I have the chance to buy some of this now-expired paper. And according to Agfa it is a variable contrast paper primarily used for aerial photography. Does anyone have any experience with this paper, or with using expired papers in general. I know that there are some nice alternatives to Agfa out there, and I have used most of them but I would really like to try the real stuff, and I'm not sure if it is really worth it to buy expired paper. Thanks!

Ian Grant · May 4, 2009

Is it not their Rapid access RC paper, designed for use with Activator/Stabiliser, I used a lot of it it while at University in the early 70's. If it is it will work fine in any developer/fixer. The dev time will be very short 15-20 seconds as in reality all it needs is an alkaline solution it's developer is incorporated in the emulsion, the print quality was excellent deep blacks and good tonality.

Ian

richard ide · May 4, 2009

Rapitone was the name for an activator developed paper circa 1975 and for IIRC graded papers for aerial photo prints in the 1980's. Nice paper but now I think too old to buy unless you can test it first. I don't remember buying it after maybe 1992.

gonzo74 · May 4, 2009

Hello Ian,
From what I can tell, it was bought and then discarded by the govt. It does sound like the same stuff, Rapitone M-1, Variable Contrast Glossy...I did wonder if it was fine for normal use as I know that there were other Agfa papers out there like Brovira. I found some of that too but its at least ten years old (at least this particular box) and I'm not sure that it still prints like it once did. Or at all. So sorry for the question, but expired papers, if stored properly, are still usable, right? Thanks!

gonzo74 · May 4, 2009

Hi Richard,

The expiration is March 2007. Do you think that it is still worth it? I won't have the chance to test it beforehand...Sorta buy as is, and if it doesn't work then it's my problem.

Ian Grant · May 4, 2009

Richard, I was using Rapidtone in about 1973. AgX has just reminded me that the name has been used since for RC papers but with no developer incorporated.

back in the 60's/70's the Activator/Stabiliser process was far more common and even the first Ilfospeed paper could be processed this way although Ilford didn't really publicise tis at the time.

Some papers keep extremely well under dry coolish conditions so thgis may still be useable, 10 years isn't thatlong I have 40-50 year old papers that print OK still, perhaps a touch slow and maybe a grade flatter. A 2007expiry date means it'll most likely still be perfect.

Ian

AgX · May 4, 2009

I have to correct my remark Ian hinted at a bit:

In the current datasheet Agfa says:
Processing
Since the emulsion of Rapitone M1 - M2 contains developing agents, you have the choice between
a developer and an activator.

But the information which which has been spread so far about their current run indicates something different.

richard ide · May 4, 2009

If it expired in 2007 it should still be OK. I did not know they used the name for an MG paper. Iremember in 1980 when I started in business; I had a quantity of Rapitone paper and film. The activator was vey corrosive. Only used it without gloves once. The film developed in about 2 milliseconds.

AGFA Rapitone or using expired papers

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