Lodima Fine Art Paper--Official reports and Member Responses

Photo Engineer

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Yes, Azo fluctuated in speed between the two Kodak plants.

Azo paper, at least the samples I have tested, have a rather high blue speed, but samples I make are much lower in sensitivity to blue light but about the same to UV. Exposure to tungsten light (with some UV) my samples equal Azo or are faster. This inversion in speed is not uncommon between the different "flavors" of the Azo type formulas I have seen.

PE
 

c6h6o3

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What are you developing your negatives in?
 

jgjbowen

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TMY in Pyrocat-HD. After making prints I confirmed the relative speeds via printing a step wedge.
 
OP
OP

Michael A. Smith

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One of the things we insisted was right with the new Lodima paper was the paper speed.

The last batch of Grade 3 Azo was WAY too slow. My exposures on it when compared to the older Azo were two to three times as long. The last batch of Grade 2 Azo was also too slow. So, the finding that the paper is similar in speed to the older Azo, albeit a little faster, confirms that is where we wanted to be.

Michael A. Smith
 

Photo Engineer

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I merely point out that if the exposures using UV vs Tungsten are different in ratio than any other version of Azo paper, then the spectral sensitivity is not the same. This is neither good nor bad, just different.

If the contrast or speed shift varies as a function of exposure time as well, then this may be a different matter. Neither good nor bad again, just something different and to be aware of. It would involve reciprocity failure.

PE
 

c6h6o3

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Lodima is WAY TOO FAST for my 777 negatives and some of them are very dense. I suspect that photographers who develop their film in D76 or HC110 or ID-11 will experience the same phenomenon. I will continue to print these negatives on Azo using a 300 watt tungsten bulb.

Pyrocat HD negatives, however, require roughly 4 times the exposure on Lodima (12 secs. as opposed to 3) and while this is still a little faster than I'd like it to be, it's quite acceptable. I can control it very well.

I have one negative which is so contrasty and dense that I can't print it at all on Canadian Grade 2, even with a water bath. Oddly enough, it shows promise on Lodima with a water bath. Lodima seems to be far more sensitive to water bath development than Azo. This extra contrast leverage means that I should be able to print most of my negatives on this one grade.

This paper is remarkable. It will take me a long time to master it.
 

dpurdy

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I haven't either but UPS is like that and kind of busy these days. The first reports of receiving it were Friday so not counting the weekend days, not so long ago.
 

eric johnson

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Is there going to be any independent evaluation by someone who has a lot of black and white darkroom experience? Now all we have is Michael's testimonial and a few user reports from paying customers. I would like to see something independent oif these sources. I am also wondering if any recognized dealers will be carryingf this paper. I am wary of scams from small private dealers selling out of their garage as there was the J and C scam and others.

Sorry to be cynical, but I have seen this happen too many times.


eric
 

doughowk

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Received my box late yesterday, and tried a couple of prints this morning before heading to work. My negs were dev'ed in Rodinal. Exposed for 20 secs under 75w bulb. Used PF-130 for developing. Am very pleased with results. The paper contrast seems closer to a grade 3. Has a nice glossy appearance, with rich-looking blacks and good highlights. Most of my 8X10 negs are fairly contrasty, so will have to experiment with water bath dev, which I understand works well with this paper. Congratulations, Michael & Paula. And thanks!
 

Alex Hawley

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Mine arrived today. Might be a couple weeks before I'm able to try it. Nevertheless, what an effort it has been to make this happen. Thanks Michael and Paula!
 

Captain_joe6

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Still lodima-less in good ol' Portland, Oregon. Might be that the orders with amidol are shipping last.
 

dpurdy

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Hey Captain Joe, I am here in Portland as well and still no delivery though I did not have amidol in the order. Patience and snowy days in the future.
Dennis
 

dc1215

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All of this Lodima talk has spurred a semi-related question for me.

I bought a 25 sheet pack of Azo a few months ago, just to try out a contact printing paper, that I have yet to test. However, now that it looks like I will be able to get some Lodima if I want in the relatively near future, I suppose I should try out this Azo and see if its going to turn me in to a convert.

My question is this. I'll spend a full day testing it, and would like to use Amidol. What is the best place to get a small amount of Amidol with minimum hassle? I saw it on Photographers Formulary, does anyone have opinion on ordering the small amount that they have on there? Other opinions? Just curious.

Thanks for any help, and everyone enjoy your new paper!!!

-Dan
 

David A. Goldfarb

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The Formulary is a perfectly good place to get amidol. Small amounts are more expensive, but if you just want to test, it makes sense.
 

dc1215

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Thanks so much David.

I will order some in the next few week or so and go from there.

-Dan
 

dpurdy

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Well a box of the Lodima finally showed up at 7PM in Portland on the 18th. Can't wait to open it and give it a go.
Dennis
 
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