I vicariously hate RC papers.

[NB23]

Touching rc paper, especilally glossy, to me is as natural as eating sand, a blackboard screetching sound, shaved men legs and a fictional Gay Buddhist Mormon

I just had to share. And I agree: it has its applications.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I prefer FB paper over RC paper. RC looks good, I just prefer FB for archival work. I tend to use RC paper for "proofs" of a roll of film because of the shorter washing time.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Touching rc paper, especilally glossy, to me is as natural as eating sand, a blackboard screetching sound, shaved men legs and a fictional Gay Buddhist Mormon

I just had to share. And I agree: it has its applications.

.... I can however say that I in fact do prefer a mans legs to at least be trimmed.

 

[removed account4]

it has been said often that rc paper if processed correctly can be every bit as archival
as fiber based paper ...

 

[Bill Burk]

Not knowing what FB paper is...

FB = Fiber (or Fibre) Based. Used to be available Single Weight (think your grandparent's snapshots) or Double Weight. Matte would be like what you have. Glossy FB though, to get really glossy you need a special polished ferrotype plate or drum. Otherwise what is called Glossy FB is a shiny, semigloss when you air dry it.

I appreciate FB paper, and fell in love with Galerie early on. I don't get along with my brother-in-law.

 

[Dinesh]

Dear NB23

.... translates more to you calling my kid ugly, it may be ugly....but it's still my kid.....!

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited

You know what they say about "the apple not falling far from the tree "

 

[Simon R Galley]

I think this has gotten rather off topic and I may be in part ( large part that is ) to blame...but in all honestly M'lud it was just meant as a bit of seasonal fun...!

Finally, I would accept the random Kylie as long as you took Rolf Harris* back...all American contributors will now be scratching their heads...understandably..Google it!

*When Rolf was painting and said ' do you know what it is yet '? I always knew, and I was only 5... it was always a Gum tree by a Billibong in the sunset, the only variation was that it was sometimes a sunrise...hey ho you can get £ 50,000 for an original now... and he has also painted Queen Elizabeth the II ( Her Majesty that is as opposed to the ship ).

END

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

 

[Sirius Glass]

.... I can however say that I in fact do prefer a mans legs to at least be trimmed.

Since I am height challenged, I prefer my legs to be full length.

 

[BradS]

RC paper has all the modern advantages with no real disadvantage. I don't think I'd print if I had to go back to using FB papers. Processing FB paper is such a waste of time and resources (most notably, water).

 

[Molli]

Finally, I would accept the random Kylie as long as you took Rolf Harris* back...all American contributors will now be scratching their heads...understandably..Google it!

You shipped us your undesirables, we shipped you ours. 'tis only right and fitting, methinks!

Now, back on topic: I'm with BradS. Having started in the darkroom at what turned out to be the tag end of a drought here, the amount of water going down the drain was of massive concern. Even using RC, I still had to sacrifice a few of my indoor plants in order to not overburden the water supply.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

RC paper has all the modern advantages with no real disadvantage. I don't think I'd print if I had to go back to using FB papers. Processing FB paper is such a waste of time and resources (most notably, water).

Is that to say that RC papers dont need to be washed as long? Because now I'm wondering if I'm overwashing....

 

[Molli]

That would depend... how long are you washing your prints for?
Fibre based tends to need an hour long wash while Resin Coated can be for as little as two minutes (depending on the brand).

 

[ChristopherCoy]

That would depend... how long are you washing your prints for?
Fibre based tends to need an hour long wash while Resin Coated can be for as little as two minutes (depending on the brand).

approx 5 mins...

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I understand you're point of view buy I do like RC paper.

Jeff

 

[Ian C]

RC paper is sealed in the plastic resin coating. It never gets wet. Only the relatively thin emulsion contains fixer after the fixing step. It takes little washing to remove the fixer from the surface and from the thin emulsion of an RC print.

FB paper is essentially a sodden mass of paper soaked with fixer. That’s why it takes much longer washing to remove the fixer. By giving FB paper a short wash to remove the excess fixer from the surface and outer parts of the paper and then placing the paper in a hypo clearing bath, the fixer inside the paper is made more water soluble so that it can be washed out easier and faster in the final wash.

 

[Molli]

You'll need to double check with the experts (one of which I am most definitely NOT), but I can't see 5 minutes being a problem at all. Your paper should have come with detailed processing information which will give you wash times.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

FB paper is essentially a sodden mass of paper soaked with fixer. That’s why it takes much longer washing to remove the fixer. By giving FB paper a short wash to remove the excess fixer from the surface and outer parts of the paper and then placing the paper in a hypo clearing bath, the fixer inside the paper is made more water soluble so that it can be washed out easier and faster in the final wash.

*note to self.... dont try FB paper.

 

[X. Phot.]

I have always disliked RC, speaking specifically of my own prints. But, they are tolerable when viewed from very great distances (ie; miles). What I discovered that I really disliked about them was their "lack of character". By simply toning a print and altering it's color, you can completely alter a print's character. Lack of contrast, and flat and muddy tones can also kill an otherwise acceptable print.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I vicariously hate RC papers.

So you gums bleed when you use RC paper?

Please explain.

Interested readers want to know.

 

[Steve Smith]

A lot of paper snobbery here!


Steve.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Not snobbery. I like FB better. Using RC paper is still better than using a digi-snapper.

 

[MattKing]

*note to self.... dont try FB paper.

This may be a mistake, Christopher.

There are still a reasonably wide variety of FB papers around, and each tends to have its own character. A good print, on an FB paper suited to it, can be a wonderful thing.

It does feel a bit nicer than RC, as well.

It is, however, a good idea to get comfortable with your RC printing first - that way you will be more likely to get the extra benefit that FB can give, in the right circumstances (and with the extra time and effort).

And also, you should consider participating in one of the APUG print exchanges. Even the Postcard exchange usually includes at least a few FB postcards. You will never be able to answer the question about which you prefer, until you have at least seen a few of the alternatives.

And Simon:

Do you think you could do something to convince your Canadian distributor friends to bring some Ilford RC Cooltone into Canada. It is my favourite of your Ilford cousins, but it's not really available in the regular retail locations here.

The best w

 

[ChristopherCoy]

And also, you should consider participating in one of the APUG print exchanges. Even the Postcard exchange usually includes at least a few FB postcards. You will never be able to answer the question about which you prefer, until you have at least seen a few of the alternatives.

I'm planning on it. I've just been waiting for a sign up period to begin....

 

[Jerevan]

RC paper can be nice (like Ilfords Multigrade RC, the satin variety). Would love to see the RC Portfolio paper, it seems even nicer with a thicker base. I have a bit of a soft spot for the postcard paper, even though it is glossy.

I love the ease of use, how fast and efficient it is, and with the right surface, I like it a lot.

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

Fb prints are nice I like the texture in the hand. I did quite a bunch of them in the past to be as traditional as possible. Just the extra time with hypo clear and washing. Then the drying and flattening.

I've switched over to rc pearl papers now. So much more convenient and much time saved. Plus they are cheaper which means I can give more away and print more.

Both are great, to each his own.