(Kodak PRO Endura Metallic RA-4 material)Anyone worked with it?

fatboy22 · Sep 10, 2006

Has anyone here worked with this stuff? (Kodak PRO Endura Metallic RA-4)
Is Kodak still making it? Ive seen it at freestyles website but only in 11x14.

Samuel B · Sep 10, 2006

AFAIK it is still being made and is readily available, at least in rolls, from Kodak. I haven't used it yet but know a few labs that use it, and have a few samples of it. A really unique paper, would love to try it out, it's a shame not many people seem to know about it.

roteague · Sep 10, 2006

I know Graeme Hird uses it. He seems to like it quite well. One of my printers also uses it, along with Fuji Crystal Archive paper, but I haven't tried it.

L Gebhardt · Sep 10, 2006

A very nice paper for the right type of photos. I haven't printed a lot of it, but I have several shots where I think the paper adds to the image. I bought my 11x14 at Adorama or B&H a year or so ago. It looks like B&H has it in rolls.

HerrBremerhaven · Sep 10, 2006

My lab had some and I have a couple images printed on it. Quite nice results.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio

Neal · Sep 11, 2006

Dear fatboy22,

It has a very interesting look. I liked it for a number of shots but unfortunately, it only seems available in rolls right now. MPIX offers printing on it if want to check it out cheaply.

Neal Wydra

mrwestphal · Sep 11, 2006

Hi fatboy22,
I use this paper quite a bit. I love the look it gives and I continue to get suprised with every print. I guess I use it so much because it reminds me of Ilfochrome prints(my favorite).
I purchased 5-6 boxes of multiple sizes a few years ago so I am unsure of the availability in sheet form today.

bob100684 · Sep 12, 2006

does anyone actually know how it is made to be mettalic? I've heard metal flakes and air bubbles in the base.

fatboy22 · Sep 12, 2006

Douglas,

How does it look under glass when framed? Do you lose any of the metallic look?

Jamie

mrwestphal · Sep 12, 2006

Hey Jamie,
that's a great question!? I never really looked to closely until you asked.
So, I ran and grabbed a framed print and checked it out and guess what? It does seem to loose a little bit of the metallic look under glass, not completely but just a little bit.
Now this is just my assessment and i may be just off my rocker

fatboy22 · Sep 13, 2006

Douglas,

I wondered about that. Does the paper kind of give a 3d dimension type look?
I like the look of some Ilfochromes, never tried it myself. I heard the chemistry was kind of nasty.

Jamie

mrwestphal · Sep 13, 2006

Hey Jamie,
Yes it does definitely gives a feeling of a 3D feel to it or maybe kinda like looking at the ground glass on a MF or LF camera.
I always watch *bay for any extra boxes that might come up since it is kinda hard to find it anymore.
Do you do your own color proccessing? If so I would be happy to post you a few 8x10 sheets to try for yourself, if not I can send you a print so you can get a feel of what it looks like, your choice.
Feel free to contact me on or offline with your decision.

Doug W.

fatboy22 · Sep 13, 2006

Thanks for the offer Doug! I recently got a great deal on a roller transport processor. Can do up to 20x24 prints dry to dry in my Mohr processor. A very well engneered unit with parts still available. Has its own rolling stand and uses only 4 liters of chemistry. I have been doing RA4 in it and B&W as well.I ordered some of that paper off Freestyle Sunday, they had it in 11x14, should get it by Monday. Will let you know what I think sometime next week when I get to print again. I like to run the processor an entire day when printing, I get more use out of chemicals this way. The Kodak RT RA4 chemistry is excellent! I have been printing on the same 4 liters and bleach fix for over a month. I always drain processor and seal chemistry in air tight bottles.

Jamie

mrwestphal · Sep 14, 2006

OOOOOW, roller transport, now I am jealous! I have been wanting to buy one but sometimes it is really hard to explain to the wife what the heck came in "THAT" crate!
I am still using a Jobo drum proccesor, one of the bigs ones, forget which model but i can do up to 20X24 also. I is real nice but just not as automated as i would like sometimes.
Keep me posted on the paper try out.

Doug

fatboy22 · Sep 18, 2006

Doug,

Just got my endura metallic paper from Freestyle today. The box says it has N surface. I thought they only made this in F surface? Even on the freestyle website they said they only had F surface. Did I get a one of a kind box? Very Strange!

Jamie

mrwestphal · Sep 18, 2006

Hey Jamie,
That's really weird?? as far as I know there is only one finish - glossy - I checked all 5 of my boxes and the Kodak site and all I can find is glossy with no finish letters(n or F).
Are you sure they sent you the real deal? It has the big silver label on the edge saying Metallic right?
You will know the second you touch and feel the paper because it has a real different feel and texture to it.
Keep me posted I will be curious to know what happened??

fatboy22 · Sep 18, 2006

Hi Doug,

I been printing with this stuff for a few hours now. Even though the box clearly says Kodak Metallic Paper N Surface, it appears to be glossy surface. You are right, a very different feel for sure. So far I really like it, trying a few different views of flower close ups. If I get a chance will take fast digi picture of box to show you.

Jamie

Kevin Caulfield · Sep 18, 2006

I've used it on the recommendation of fellow APUGger Graeme Hird. It still looks great under glass, and definitely has something of a 3-dimensional glow about it, and has very close resemblance to Ilfochrome (which I also use).

jd callow · Sep 19, 2006

fatboy22 said:
Douglas,

How does it look under glass when framed? Do you lose any of the metallic look?

Jamie

Depending upon the shot it loses some of its richness under glass. This paper is great for some things (B&w images being one) and a waste for others.

bob100684 · Sep 19, 2006

"N" surface kinda makes sense: N (smooth, semi-matt) surfaces seems to be a catch all for anyhting not high gloss. My MPIX metalic prints definitly are smooth but aren't something like RC gloss paper.

fatboy22 · Sep 19, 2006

Mr Callow,

When you printed B&W images on this type of material could you print with regular B&W negatives or did they have to be printed from film like Ilford XP2 or Kodak BCN?

Jamie

filmnut · Sep 20, 2006

I've done quite a bit of printing with this paper for various customers, and it really does have a very unique look and feel to it.
The images that look best seem to be ones that have metallic tones and colours to it. For instance, gold, silver watches, and other jewllery, some of the older cars with lots of chrome and metallic paint look great also. I have a shot of mine that is a late '40s Buick with a deep burgundy paint job, gobs of shiny chrome, on green grass with a pure azure blue sky in the background and it looks fabulous on this paper.
What doesn't look so good, are subjects with a lot of whites and near white shades, as the base is not as white as regular photo paper. Side by side with regular unexposed paper this is very obvious.
It processes very well through standard RA4 chem.
We only buy it in rolls, and Kodak has been having some supply issues lately, I don't know why though, they say that they are going to continue supplying
this product. I have no idea what the availibility of it in sheets.
We use a Durst Lambda (uses lasers to expose onto photo paper from a digital file) only for exposing the material, no opitical enlargers left (sniff, sniff).
Keith

(Kodak PRO Endura Metallic RA-4 material)Anyone worked with it?

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency