Kodak PolycontrastIII RC. What to do.

Dshambli · Aug 10, 2011

I found some of this paper in a thrift store with no expiration date (so I assume it's expired). The box was sealed up with some tape and feels full. I decided to pick it up, but I'm reading that it's probably no good. So what should I do with it? I don't have access to a dark room right now, but is there something I could do otherwise?

akaa · Aug 10, 2011

I have a box that prints quite nice. Hang on to it or send it to me

eddie · Aug 10, 2011

Do you know anyone near you with a darkroom?

Dshambli · Aug 10, 2011

eddie said:
Do you know anyone near you with a darkroom?

Not at all. I've considered taking another class at the community college here (mainly to have access to a darkroom again), so I kind of considered this a "sign" (it's easy to find signs when you're looking for them). I'm fixing up a house I bought, and I've tried to figure out how I could incorporate a dark room set up, but I don't see it working. I just hope that the tape was there before the thrift store got a hold of the box and decided to peek at what was inside the black bag.

akaa · Aug 10, 2011

Public darkroom?

Rick A · Aug 10, 2011

You can always make lumin prints. All you need is a sheet of glass or plexi to cover whatever you place on the paper and sunshine, print times from minutes to hours depending on what you want it to look like, then wash in the sink with running water. I like to place the paper face down and place flowers on top, spray with a mist of water then cover with glass and come back in a couple of hours. You can get different colors going face up or face down. You can tone the prints as well, no darkroom needed for any of this.

Dshambli · Aug 10, 2011

Rick A said:
You can always make lumin prints. All you need is a sheet of glass or plexi to cover whatever you place on the paper and sunshine, print times from minutes to hours depending on what you want it to look like, then wash in the sink with running water. I like to place the paper face down and place flowers on top, spray with a mist of water then cover with glass and come back in a couple of hours. You can get different colors going face up or face down. You can tone the prints as well, no darkroom needed for any of this.

That sounds cool. No chemicals needed?

eddie · Aug 10, 2011

Where are you located?

Dshambli · Aug 10, 2011

eddie said:
Where are you located?

Flahrida. Disney country.

tkamiya · Aug 10, 2011

I will be happy to help you test it. I'm near Altamonte Springs, FL.
Also consider Crealde.... in Winter Park, FL. It has a darkroom.

Rick A · Aug 10, 2011

Dshambli said:
That sounds cool. No chemicals needed?

None what so ever! Looks like you get plenty o' sun. You can check out the "lumin" group here--

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Dshambli · Aug 10, 2011

Rick A said:
None what so ever! Looks like you get plenty o' sun. You can check out the "lumin" group here--

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Thank you. I can't wait to try it. Oh, and don't let our nick name fool you, it rains here just about everyday in the summer.

Dshambli · Aug 10, 2011

tkamiya said:
I will be happy to help you test it. I'm near Altamonte Springs, FL.
Also consider Crealde.... in Winter Park, FL. It has a darkroom.

I'm near Kissimmee, so we have some distance between us. I appreciate that tip though, I hadn't heard of Crealde. They might have better enlargers than Valencia anyways. Theirs always made my enlargements come out with one side longer than the other.

tkamiya · Aug 10, 2011

Crealde is a non-profit art school. www.crealde.org. I know someone there has an enlarger alignment tool (I borrowed it once) so it should be ok. It may be cheaper and more flexible than going to college route, although it is a trip from Kissimmee. Let me know if I can help you in any way.

Dshambli · Aug 10, 2011

tkamiya said:
Crealde is a non-profit art school. www.crealde.org. I know someone there has an enlarger alignment tool (I borrowed it once) so it should be ok. It may be cheaper and more flexible than going to college route, although it is a trip from Kissimmee. Let me know if I can help you in any way.

So is Valencia's east campus, which is where their darkroom is. Which means it may not be any more inconvenient than I was planning. I have to go to Winter Park tomorrow as it is, so I may stop by and take a look.

Kodak PolycontrastIII RC. What to do.

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