KODAK POLYCONTRAST III RC GLOSSY

Planning on printing on some expired Kodak Polycontrast III RC Glossy. I'm using Dektol, and Kodak's specification guide says to use a 1:9 ratio. I have always used Ilford Multigrades before, but my ratio has always been 1:3 in Dektol, should I follow Kodak's recommendation or use my 1:3 keeping a closer eye on the print development?

It should be OK at 1:3.

I would do a test for fog/Mottle. Take an unexposed sheet and cut it in half. Put one piece directly in the fixer, and the other for 1 1/2 minutes in the developer and then fix. Compare the two to see the level of fog.

Will try that mopar-guy, thanks.

This old paper is likely to have fog and lowered contrast. Recommendations:
- Use a high contrast developer
o Dektol undiluted (your suggested 1:3 goes in the wrong direction)
o Dokumol (Tetenal)
o mix-your-own following Ilford ID-14 (google...)
- Add benzotriazole @ 0.3g/liter working strength developer to fight fog and improve highlight "snap". Note: the image will be slower to appear, and you may need to extend total development time, although undiluted Dektol should be rather fast.
http://stores.photoformulary.com/-strse-373/Benzotriazole/Detail.bok
10g @ $4.95 will last you a lifetime
- Selenium tone (1:10). Will increase Dmax and dark tones "snap". Also nice in general with any paper.

Sucess is not guaranteed, but that is you best chance. If you have a fairly large quantity of expired paper, may be worth the effort.

akfotog said:

Planning on printing on some expired Kodak Polycontrast III RC Glossy. I'm using Dektol, and Kodak's specification guide says to use a 1:9 ratio.

Click to expand...

This didn't sound right, so I dug up my copy of Kodak data sheet G-21 for Polycontrast III RC. The 1+9 recommendation is for Dektol liquid concentrate, which is a product I've never seen in the US and which I'm not sure even exists any more. For the more familiar Dektol mixed from powder, the recommendation is the usual 1+2.

That said, if my experience with Kodak paper is any guide, you're likely to have a fog/contrast problem and may need to try the approaches already suggested.

Oren Grad said:

This didn't sound right, so I dug up my copy of Kodak data sheet G-21 for Polycontrast III RC. The 1+9 recommendation is for Dektol liquid concentrate, which is a product I've never seen in the US and which I'm not sure even exists any more. For the more familiar Dektol mixed from powder, the recommendation is the usual 1+2.

That said, if my experience with Kodak paper is any guide, you're likely to have a fog/contrast problem and may need to try the approaches already suggested.

Click to expand...

The print developer branded as "Polymax T" in North America is branded as "Liquid Dektol" in some other parts of the world.

I am also not sure whether or not Polymax T/Liquid Dektol is still in production, but I know that it is my go-to print developer at the present time (I have inventory).

MattKing said:

The print developer branded as "Polymax T" in North America is branded as "Liquid Dektol" in some other parts of the world.

I am also not sure whether or not Polymax T/Liquid Dektol is still in production, but I know that it is my go-to print developer at the present time (I have inventory).

Click to expand...

Interesting, thanks - I never made the connection. Polymax T seems to be still readily available, so you should be in good shape for quite a while to come.

I got hold of this kind of paper and, all along of the 50 sheet pack, I used the same formula: Dektol 1:2.

As bernard_L said, this papier is a little foggy after the expiration time, although this side effect did not happen on every sheet. Kind of strange. On the other hand, I found the contrast quite acceptable.

I also noticed that the paper turns into B&W very quickly, much quickly than any Ilford papers.

Here a sample of a scanned print:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29590283@N04/7683513040/in/photolist-cGY1JL

.

Thanks for info all. Looks like I'll be spending a lot of time test-printing.

for Akfotog

akfotog said:

Thanks for info all. Looks like I'll be spending a lot of time test-printing.

Click to expand...

Hi Akfotog,

I wonder what results you got if you already printed on this paper. I just got myself a pack of the same paper and wondering how yours turned out. What did you learn ? and what developer did you end up using ?
my pack is expired 2006 . it seems like it may have been refrigerated in the past, but fridge was not working when I bought it (who knows how long) from this soon to be out of business shop.

thanks

I would like to make sure whether it is Polycontrast III or Polycontrast IV. The III is quite old, and ceased production years ago being replaced by the IV which lasted until about 2005 with expiration dates a bit later.

The III should be foggy but the IV should be better.

PE

absolutely, It is the III what do you recommend. ? Polymax Developer ? Dektop no dilution ?

Use Dektol 1:2 or 1:3 and if foggy add some Benzotriazole as suggested earlier here.

PE