First FB experience

panchromatic · Mar 17, 2005

So today I printed for the first time using FB paper, before this I exclusively used RC paper, and boy what a difference, its VERY different to work with. I'm excited by the possibilities though. I used Ilford MG FB matte finish, its very very matte, i'm used to the lustre.

I'm still unsure how long i should wash the prints for i want to make sure i do it right, if a few could chime in on it i would appreciate, as well as any overall comments are duely welcome. remember i'm young AND have a thirst for knowledge.

eric · Mar 17, 2005

panchromatic said:
FB matte finish, its very very matte, i'm used to the lustre.

Try the semi-matte. Really nice.

I'm still unsure how long i should wash the prints for i want to make sure i do it

5 min. No, 30min, no 15 min, no leave in a lot of H20, 4 rinses, no 19.5 min, with HCA or no? hardner fixer or no? You'll probably get so many answers that none of them make sense. Use your instincts. If it starts to stain a a couple of weeks, refix, rewash.

Have fun. With fiber, you think quality. With RC, you think quantity.

Jeremy · Mar 17, 2005

Ryan,
I don't have a print washer myself so I just do 3 30 minute water baths with the time starting when i put the last print in. If I run out of time I'll just leave them in there overnight. Might I suggest a residual hypo test kit to see if you got all of the fixer out?

Canuck · Mar 17, 2005

Hi Ryan,

FB is nicer Well, FWIW, my procedure is soak for 5 minutes in water, 5 minute in hypo clearing agent, 3x15 minutes tray soaks. If I'm in a hurry, I wash continuously for 20 minutes with flowing water. I like the tray soaks as it saves me water and I have tested it for fixer, and tests clean for me. Ilford also publishes a PDF on the washing of FB paper I do believe.

Flotsam · Mar 18, 2005

I remember my first time .
Course there was no such thing as Resin Coated Paper back then.

oriecat · Mar 18, 2005

I just started using FB myself in the last couple months. I have been washing for 30 minutes, after a soak in HCA. FB is just so lovely. I am especially loving the Bergger semi-matte cream base I tried. I also just tried some matte adorama brand, but I really don't like the matte.

ann · Mar 18, 2005

check Ilford's site for archival processing. We have been using those standards for years with no problems arising at this point with the life of images.

I have to disagree with Eric about just follow you instincts; do a bit of research that has been done by the paper experts, determine a standard , stick to it. Jeremy, makes a good suggestion to get a hypo check kit and test your prints.

rogueish · Mar 18, 2005

panchromatic said:
I used Ilford MG FB matte finish, its very very matte, i'm used to the lustre.

Ilford's Matte is VERY matt. Their semi- and glossy is good (IMO).
Try Agfa's Classic line if you want to see an ivory base and the matte is (to me anyway) not quite as flat as Ilford's.
I follow Ilford's recommendations for washing
http://www.ilford.com/html/us_english/pdf/95065d.pdf
Washing starts at the bottom of page 2 into page 3.

BWGirl · Mar 18, 2005

Congrats, Ryan!
It's a whole different 'curly' experience, isn't it?
I love the look of fiber...so rich!... and it allows me to pile up multiple large books to train the stuff when it's dry! haha

Lee Shively · Mar 18, 2005

Having learned darkroom procedures with fiber, I remember the first time I used an RC paper that didn't look like crap.

panchromatic · Mar 18, 2005

BWGirl said:
Congrats, Ryan!
It's a whole different 'curly' experience, isn't it?
I love the look of fiber...so rich!... and it allows me to pile up multiple large books to train the stuff when it's dry! haha

is that how you deal with the "curl" effect?

is there a way to keep it from curling in the first place?

eric · Mar 18, 2005

panchromatic said:
is that how you deal with the "curl" effect?

is there a way to keep it from curling in the first place?

Use non-hardening fixer, use a screen and dry
Then put in something and weigh it down (after completely dry)

I just got one of the dryers. Works great. Cheap now on 'bay

ann · Mar 18, 2005

not completlely; however, the slower the prints dry the flatter.

dancqu · Mar 19, 2005

panchromatic said:
Is there a way to keep it from curling in the first place?

What ever the method, and I've used a few, it is not possible
to dry a print entirely, totaly, flat. But they can be dried 'flat'
if you allow for the slight concavity towards the emulsion. I
believe that to be trait of gelatined paper.

There are a few ways; a few ways to dry them 'flat'. I use a
blotter stack composed of A flute, ventilator, corrugated
board and hydrophobic fabric sheet separators.

From the bottom up; board, sheet, print/prints, sheet, board.
The stack can built as high as needed. No need to plug in and
the whole assembly takes little room. It can be easly shelved
when not needed. Dry and 'flat' in one operation.

I sponge dry then free air pre-dry. Prior to curl or waves
forming, place them in the stack. Dan

Doug Bennett · Mar 19, 2005

Formulary TF-4 fixer is the greatest thing since sliced bread for working with fiber. Fix, wash 15 minutes, done. No HCA, no long wash times.

jovo · Mar 19, 2005

When I began to process my own prints, there was nothing other than FB from which to choose and for me that was Kodabromide. Then a lapse of a couple of decades or so doing no printing at all. When I resumed, I found myself using only RC and felt a bit intimidated by fiber paper (I have no clue as to why). Eventually, I tried it again and was delighted with its' richness and depth. Since resuming, I've just maintained my old technique of washing for an hour in a Versalab washer or, for a very few 8x10s, in a tray with a Kodak siphon. Both the old and recent work has never had even a soupcon of degradation.

BWGirl · Mar 19, 2005

Ryan, I've been trying just about every method I've seen & I still get curls! Cripe, if my hair would curl like that, I'd be all set!
I've tried the screen method, the flipping front to back method...I've even tried ironing a dry print! Nice heavy large books are about the best bet so far...of course one of those nifty presses would be nice!

VoidoidRamone · Mar 19, 2005

I still think, if you're doing 8x10 prints or smaller, that a microwave followed by books works very well and quickly. I go on high for about 45 sec.
-Grant

colivet · Mar 19, 2005

I don't understand the concern with flat prints. I work with single weight paper and it curls nicely. They stay that way unless the humidity is close to 100%. It matters none to me. The prints that make it to the mat stage look perfectly flat once mounted.

First FB experience

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