Lodima Fine Art Silver Chloride Paper Update #2 7/26/09

[Michael A. Smith]

Lodima Fine Art Silver Chloride Paper Update #2 7/26/09

Lodima Fine Art Silver Chloride Paper will be coated in August. If you have already placed an order, we will be depositing your check or charging your credit card. If you are living outside of the United States and will be wiring payment, we will send you our bank transfer information. This charge is exclusive of shipping charges.

The manufacturer of the paper agreed to coat the paper even though we have not met the minimum quantity they require. As a result of their extensive R&D costs not being recovered, the manufacturer is raising the price of the paper to us.

Because we have made a commitment to those who have ordered paper at our announced price, we will keep the price the same for those who have already placed orders. And we will keep this price until August 7. For all orders places after August 7 there will be new prices.

Size and Quantity Current price Price after August 7
8x10-100 $139.95 $149.95
8x10-250 $324.95 $349.95
9x11-100 $174.95 $189.95
10x12-100 $209.95 $224.95
11x14-100 $269.96 $289.95
8x10-100 $279.95 $299.95
14x17-50 $254.95 $274.95
16x20-50 $279.95 $299.95
20x24-50 $419.94 $449.95
Rolls 60cm x 25m $409.95 $439.95

Now is the time to place an order or to increase the size of your order.

A number of photographers have ordered only one grade of paper. We know of no one who makes negatives so consistently that they need to print on only one grade of paper. Even Ansel Adams with his zone system needed more than one grade of paper. We cannot imagine anything more frustrating than being in the darkroom and finding that we do not have the right grade of paper. Lodima Fine Art comes in grade 2 and grade 3. We advise everyone to order at least one box of each.

As we go forward, we will be stocking paper in both grades, but only in the following sizes.

8x10-100 sheets
8x10-250 sheets
11x14-100 sheets
20x24-50 sheets

We will not stock the other sizes. If you have ordered paper in a size other than those that we will stock, you might want to add to your order at this time.

There have been so few orders for some of the sizes (14 x 17, for example) that we may incur substantial additional set-up charges. If we do, we will let you know, and you might want to change your order (from 14 x 17 to 16 x 20, for example). The set-up charges are likely to be considerably more than the additional cost for a slightly larger size.

Thank you for your interest in and support of Lodima Fine Art Silver Chloride paper. We could not have done this without you.

Michael A. Smith and Paula Chamlee

 

[jgjbowen]

Bravo, Michael, Bravo!

 

[Roger Thoms]

Good news, fantastic to hear the project is moving forward.
Thanks for all the hard work.
Roger

 

[Michael A. Smith]

There is a typo in our announcement.

In the list of sizes and prices, the second listing for 8x10-100 sheets, should read 8x20-100 sheets.

Michael A. Smith

 

[Michael Kadillak]

Lodima

Yes, this is one of the most important series of positive events that we have seen in many years. Considering the fact that this was a project that had a 5% chance of coming to fruition (come up with a completely new formula from modern components that is actually better than the original product) it is a miracle that we have the opportunity to purchase and use this fabulous paper. When you look at how many products are being dropped forever (how about POP?) it took two passionate people that would not take no for an answer to allow this to happen.

We all need to reach for our wallets and reward entrepreneurial endeavors by those that consider us when they undertake these activities.

Cheers!

 

[jgjbowen]

Yes, this is one of the most important series of positive events that we have seen in many years. Considering the fact that this was a project that had a 5% chance of coming to fruition (come up with a completely new formula from modern components that is actually better than the original product) it is a miracle that we have the opportunity to purchase and use this fabulous paper. When you look at how many products are being dropped forever (how about POP?) it took two passionate people that would not take no for an answer to allow this to happen.

We all need to reach for our wallets and reward entrepreneurial endeavors by those that consider us when they undertake these activities.

Cheers!

I couldn't agree more!

 

[mike c]

I been following the strings on this new paper which sounds like its pretty much geared for contact printing ,has anyone used it for enlarging paper,or is not recommended

Mike C.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I been following the strings on this new paper which sounds like its pretty much geared for contact printing ,has anyone used it for enlarging paper,or is not recommended

Mike C.

I've tested the concept and posted about it on the Azo forum--

Dead Link Removed

 

[mike c]

Thanks for the post David,pretty long exposure time. I have the old blue zone vi coldlit and thought it might shorten exposure time a bit.

Mike c.

 

[jgjbowen]

I been following the strings on this new paper which sounds like its pretty much geared for contact printing ,has anyone used it for enlarging paper,or is not recommended

Mike C.

Mike,

MAS has stated in other threads, that he hopes to "slow down" Lodima. That may make enlarging more difficult. However my first experience with Azo was in college (in 1980) where we used Azo and an 8x10 contact print "proofer" to make contact sheets of 35mm negatives. I have also seen some very nice contact prints of medium format negatives on Azo. So if you shoot medium format (or larger) you might consider making contact prints of your negatives. The details and the small image can be most impressive.

Good luck,

 

[mike c]

John, ya I guess that would be a good reason to try out Lodima. Going on vacation soon and planing to take my speed Graphic,even more of a reason to try Lodima. I do like to enlarge the smaller negs tho.

 

[jgjbowen]

Mike,

If you decide to do some contact printing on Lodima/Amidol, you won't be dissapointed! Have fun on your vacation,

 

[jgjbowen]

Just a reminder that tomorrow August 7, is the last day to order Lodima before the price increases. I saw where folks were upset over Ilford's price increases; now is the time to lock in the current price of Lodima.

 

[mike c]

jgbowen, is amidol the the preferred developer for Lodima or can others work, like dektol.


Mike C.

 

[Peter Schrager]

lodima and developers

the paper works with ansco 130 as well as amidol...I just did this yesterday and it did just fine...amidol lasts all day on a tray; not sure if the ansco does the same but I did print for many hours with no problem...no discernable difference in the prints
Best, Peter

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I've also tried it with Ansco 130, and it does fine, though amidol is better when you want to be able to use a waterbath to control contrast.

Ansco 130 will last quite a long time, if you put it back in a full bottle between uses. In an open tray, it lasts about 2-3 days, I find.

 

[mike c]

All right, thanks guys.Is amidol and ansco 130 still available in premixed packets,I have a lot of old negs form my great uncle that need contact printing.

Mike C.

 

[Michael A. Smith]

In pre-mixed kits these chemicals are very expensive. Less expensive to purchase an inexpensive scale and buy the chemicals in bulk and mix your own.

Michael A. Smith

 

[doughowk]

Moersch has come out with a kit for Amidol users that has a longer working life than one session - SE20 Amidol Plus. Haven't yet seen it listed in US but can find it at Dead Link Removed

For Ansco 130 I use PhotoFormulary kit. The developer, if topped off between sessions, has an extremely long working life. If made from separate chemicals, I understand that the glycin powder has short shelf-life and should be kept frozen. Once in solution, though, it actually helps the developer to resist oxidation.

In my limited experience with Lodima, I don't think you can go wrong with using either Amidol or Ansco 130. They both yield striking images in a relatively easy manner.

 

[Mahler_one]

I agree with Doug and Peter. The 130 produces blacks that are, in the words of another, "stygian". Have a look at Michael and Paula's site. There is a long article on using various developers with Azo paper. 130 is close to Amidol, but the difference-as has been pointed out-is the ability to use a water bath with amidol, and thus to be able to control the contrast. Might be interesting to see what Ultrablack developer does with Lodima as well.

 

[mike c]

Thanks again for the info,not to excited about mixing my own chems,but look into photo Formurly's version of Ansco 130 and check out Michael and Paula's site. Ultrablack haven't heard bout' that one yet.

Mike

 

[Mahler_one]

Mike: Super-Black paper developer from Techchem....sold under other names as well.

 

[mike c]

O k Mahler one, I will keep my eye open for that,haven't even purchased any Lodima yet but soon after I install a exhaust system over my sink I will.

Mike

 

[jgjbowen]

Mike c,

Sorry I didn't respond to your question earlier (out of town and no desire to be at a computer). Others seem to have covered it well. I've never used Anzco 130 (it's on my rainy day darkroom list of things to try) but I've had my best luck with Michael Smith's Amidol formula and Agfa Neutol WA. I didn't like the color of the prints I got with Dektol, but obviously Bruce Barlow likes the print color. I also follow Michael Smith's procedures for processing prints.

Good luck and welcome to Lodima!

 

[mike c]

Thanks for the reply John.

Mike