Arista.edu (Hungary) paper longevity.

I have a sealed box of Arista.edu fiber VC paper that, except for brief defrosting cycles, has been under refridgeration since I bought it in 2004. Can anyone give me an estimate of what to expect from this now? Not having used any yet, I don't know how bright the surface was supposed to be, so I wouldn't know whether to head for the restrainer right off.

Pretty humid there in Richmond, but unless you had loads of condensation during the defrost, I would be surprised if there were a problem. Before you start printing, just take a little strip, cut in half. Fix one half, and develop and fix the other. Compare. There are more detailed ways of testing, but this will tell you right off if it's bad. I doubt it is bad.

I'm still using 5 & 6 year old Forte Polywarmtone and it's perfect, 20 exhibition prints washing as I write. It should last at least 7-8 years longer if it's a Bromide paper (nor warm tone chloro-bromide).

Ian

There is no reason to expect anything bad. Maybe contrast and speed have slightly suffered, but a bit more exposure and filtering-in more contrast will fix that easily.