Kodak Polymax Fine Art Paper

[david b]

I am looking to get some opinions on this paper.

I am used to printing on Ilford Paper and have tried a little of Forte fiber paper. I heard some very nice things about this paper.

So before I try some, I'd like to know what I can expect.

thanks...

 

[Alex Hawley]

David, if you look back in this category, you should find a thread I started on this same subject.

I think its a great paper. Its very similar in final print appearance to MGIV. I found the paper speed between the two to be identical; in other words, I could use the exact same exposure time with either one.

Finally, I like using the single weight. Its the only single MG enlarging paper I could find.

 

[Bruce Osgood]

I am looking to get some opinions on this paper.

I am used to printing on Ilford Paper and have tried a little of Forte fiber paper. I heard some very nice things about this paper.

So before I try some, I'd like to know what I can expect.

thanks...

I've started using this paper and it is becoming my paper of choice mainly because I can print highlights that I could not on Ilford, Agfa, Forte, Seagull, Berger, etc.

I've found using a Beseler color head I need much less contrast filtration than I've been used to. I've been using the C/D Creamy warmtone and find the base paper white is actually white. It is not off-white nor creamy white. An area I am trying to improve on is the shadows. They retain contrast nicely but I would like to get them a little blacker and retain the contrast.

 

[Flotsam]

I got turned on to Polymax SW here, on APUG by Alex and I am hooked on it. I have a whole unopened box of MGIV because whenever I start to run low on Polymax, I just gotta order more. Killer Blacks and delicate highlights in Dektol. Neutral in tone. The 'F' surface is great, a nice gloss with a paper texture. Just beautiful when dry mounted.
Try it, see how it works with your negs.

 

[Greg Rust]

I really enjoy using this paper, too. I like surface C for my subjects.

Store only the amount you can use in six months because it loses all contrast and has to be discarded.

This paper has a great tonal range and a great base paper tone. I hope Kodak produces it for a long time.

 

[Sean]

Hi, are you polymax fans using Resin? I thought they made this in Fiber but one of the shops in NZ sent me this:

"Kodak only list Polymax 'F' as Resin Coated paper, not Fibre Based."

I've never really gone down the resin paper path. If there is evidence to suggest it's as archival as fiber then I'll give it a try. Thanks

*edit* -also

I'm having trouble deciding which polymax surface to get. You mentioned you like C over F. I have never seen these papers in NZ and have to special order them from a shop in the South Island. I don't mind glossy but don't want anything so glossy that it's shiny and background lights might reflect off of it. Would you be able to describe the surfaces to me?

 

[Flotsam]

I'm using 8x10 Single Weight Fiber

 

[Bruce Osgood]

Hi, are you polymax fans using Resin? I thought they made this in Fiber but one of the shops in NZ sent me this:

"Kodak only list Polymax 'F' as Resin Coated paper, not Fibre Based."

I've never really gone down the resin paper path. If there is evidence to suggest it's as archival as fiber then I'll give it a try. Thanks

*edit* -also

I'm having trouble deciding which polymax surface to get. You mentioned you like C over F. I have never seen these papers in NZ and have to special order them from a shop in the South Island. I don't mind glossy but don't want anything so glossy that it's shiny and background lights might reflect off of it. Would you be able to describe the surfaces to me?

POLYMAX = FIBRE BASE:
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/prof...axFineArtPaper.jhtml?id=0.1.16.14.28.50&lc=en
See Tech Pub G-24

POLYCONTRAST IV = RC:
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/prof...ontrastIV/main.jhtml?id=0.1.16.14.28.46&lc=en
See Tech Pub G-4037

RC is reputed to be archival but if I want to feel secure I will use the Fibre with a KRST soak. I use the RC for "give-away" and build my collection with FB.

 

[L Gebhardt]

POLYMAX = FIBRE BASE:
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/prof...axFineArtPaper.jhtml?id=0.1.16.14.28.50&lc=en
See Tech Pub G-24

POLYCONTRAST IV = RC:
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/prof...ontrastIV/main.jhtml?id=0.1.16.14.28.46&lc=en
See Tech Pub G-4037

RC is reputed to be archival but if I want to feel secure I will use the Fibre with a KRST soak. I use the RC for "give-away" and build my collection with FB.

Kodak used to make a Polymax RC paper as well, but I think it was recently discontinued. It printed very differently from Polymax Fine Art, which is Fiber based. The Kodak RC papers are junk in my opinion, especially compared to the Ilford RC papers. My major problem with them is that there tends to be a milky haze over the whole image, as well as a metalic reflectance from side angles. The PolyMax Fine Art (FB) has none of these problems and is a very nice paper with the right image.

 

[Sean]

Thanks for the info guys. Now I just need to find a supplier that ships other than UPS. Seems they all use UPS and the shipping to NZ is more than the paper itself. I guess worst case I can send it to my parents and have them ship it USPS which is usually half the price of UPS..

 

[Flotsam]

One more thing... Polymax FB SW has an amazingly small amount of drydown effect. It takes some getting used to in the beginning.

 

[Alex Hawley]

One more thing... Polymax FB SW has an amazingly small amount of drydown effect. It takes some getting used to in the beginning.

That's another excellent point Neal. The Polymax drydown does indeed appear minimal.

Putting in another plug for single weight paper, don't be afraid of it. It does dry with a pronounced curl around the edges but the curl is easily removed with a few seconds in a dry mount press or a clothes iron (with some mat board for protection). Flattening a single weight print is easier, and I think it handles easier in the darkroom.

 

[Flotsam]

I have found the SW very easy to handle. It is cheaper and washes quicker. I use the "hang and press it" method of drying. It comes out of the press with a very mild curl and after a couple of days of being stored flat, it loses even that.

 

[Tom Stanworth]

Superb. I only use seagull more often as I have found availability in the UK of the kodal fine art to be les than ideal. The standard white based glossy has a warmer base than the seagull, but is produces a nice cool image tone in cold devs, but otherwise is pretty neutral. Yes it does do a better job with overcooked highlights compared to MG1V. Stands next to seagull with NO problems. I found it about 1/2 a grade less contrasty than ilford multigrade.

 

[rknewcomb]

Hi,
Does anyone know if this Kodak Polymax Fine Art Single weight paper has writing on the back side -non emulsion side of it? Can't use it for paper negatives if it does.
Thanks,
Robert

 

[voceumana]

Kodak no longer manufactures black and white printing papers, so unless you've found a used supply you cannot get it. Kodak rarely imprinted the back of their black and white papers except for commercial use types--i.e., for machine printing.

 

[kreeger]

In either paper type, by now, unless the paper has been frozen since new, it's likely unusable, given Kodak stopped producing it long ago. Some outdated RC Polymax in an unopened box, also from ebay was already toast when it arrived and the seller refunded the money.

Polymax Fine Art FB - I obtained two 100 sheet boxes from eBay about 5 years ago. Started printing on the 8x10 100 sheet and 11x14 50 sheet right away. Results were excellent as other expected. Purchased another 100 sheet 8x10 box from another ebay source. The second box was good for about the first 20 sheets, and for reasons I can only attribute to age, just fell off the cliff and could not be used any longer except for a lith print. I liked the results I got very well, and would have bought more, but I think it's a dice roll now. Nothing lasts forever, save for perhaps Ektalure...

 

[rknewcomb]

Ah...Ektalure, one of the loves of my life..
Robert

 

[kreeger]

Robert, I have about 300 sheets of Ilfomar 8x10 Grade 2 and 3 left in the freezer, but no Ektalure

An eBay seller thinks Ektalure is currently worth $6.40 a sheet for 2 8x10 25 sheet packs. Those are expensive test strips.

 

[StepheKoontz]

I've found old ilford RC paper holds up fairly well. This kodak paper stored the same way/time was totally fogged and useless.

 

[pentaxuser]

I suspect the OP has lost interest in both this subject and maybe even in Photrio as it appears he hasn't been seen since Jul 2016

pentaxuser

 

[darrylgbaird]

In either paper type, by now, unless the paper has been frozen since new, it's likely unusable, given Kodak stopped producing it long ago. Some outdated RC Polymax in an unopened box, also from ebay was already toast when it arrived and the seller refunded the money.

Polymax Fine Art FB - I obtained two 100 sheet boxes from eBay about 5 years ago. Started printing on the 8x10 100 sheet and 11x14 50 sheet right away. Results were excellent as other expected. Purchased another 100 sheet 8x10 box from another ebay source. The second box was good for about the first 20 sheets, and for reasons I can only attribute to age, just fell off the cliff and could not be used any longer except for a lith print. I liked the results I got very well, and would have bought more, but I think it's a dice roll now. Nothing lasts forever, save for perhaps Ektalure...

I have a half freezer full of Polymax fiber paper... 8x10, 11x14, 16x20, F and N surfaces. I moved, lost my darkroom, and probably won't go about building another. I'd sell this to you if you're interested. I could test in a makeshift darkroom (blackout windows in a bathroom).

BTW, I don't suppose you went to the Naval School of Photography back in 1969?

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I used to use this paper back in the 90's. Was quite lovely. Then I discovered Forte Polygrade V...which is also history. If they ever brought back Fine Art FB, I'd probably buy a box for old times sake...

 

[darrylgbaird]

I used to use this paper back in the 90's. Was quite lovely. Then I discovered Forte Polygrade V...which is also history. If they ever brought back Fine Art FB, I'd probably buy a box for old times sake...

I was shooting Kodak HIE and trying to hold the highlights, and Polymax FA fiber was superior to everything... 1990s thru 2005 (?). I bought as much as I could find for another project with difficult highlights, but life changes drowned out that noise... so, here we are, looking for a past love to show up... lol. Cheers.

Terrible Beauty

Darryl Baird | Photographer | Terrible Beauty

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I was shooting Kodak HIE and trying to hold the highlights, and Polymax FA fiber was superior to everything... 1990s thru 2005 (?). I bought as much as I could find for another project with difficult highlights, but life changes drowned out that noise... so, here we are, looking for a past love to show up... lol. Cheers.

Terrible Beauty

Darryl Baird | Photographer | Terrible Beauty

That was exactly the film that I was working with, too! You know what they say about great minds....