new Fuji RA4 paper

AMBYSTOMA · Jan 26, 2011

Fuji is phasing out their cut sheet super archive type C paper. According to my sources at Fuji this will be replaced with Fuji super crystal archive type 2 paper, which differs from the type C version by having less contrast (now equal to Kodak Supra endura), better shade detail and blacker blacks. Sizes will be available up to 20x24. This is very good news for analog printers and will eliminate the need to cut down roll paper. Support Fuji for keeping cut sheets available by buying this new product when it will be available shortly.

Photo Engineer · Jan 26, 2011

The presentation from Fuji on the several varieties indicated that it would not go through the RA4 process. This was in 2006, Also, the information I have indicates that it uses Tellurium sensitization: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tellurium

Selenium and Tellurium were abandoned by Kodak due to toxicity problems, so please beware.

PE

mikecnichols · Jan 27, 2011

The paper is already available at Freestyle (though last week stock was low). I am using it already and like the quality!

Stephen Frizza · Jan 27, 2011

i have been using this paper for the past 6 months and can vouch that the blacks and blacker. its a lovely paper for hand printing it handles very nicely. I have been processing it in Fuji Hunt CPRA digital developer.

Tom Kershaw · Jan 27, 2011

Stephen,

Does the new Fuji paper give a more substantial impression? - I've found cut sheet standard Fuji Crystal Archive has a rather "thin" feel compared to Kodak Supra Endura.

Tom

perkeleellinen · Jan 27, 2011

Tom Kershaw said:
I've found cut sheet standard Fuji Crystal Archive has a rather "thin" feel compared to Kodak Supra Endura.
Tom

Confusing all this terminology. Is "type C paper" the stuff which is being sold in the UK that's cut down by Ilford?

Stephen Frizza · Jan 27, 2011

Tom Kershaw said:
Stephen,

Does the new Fuji paper give a more substantial impression? - I've found cut sheet standard Fuji Crystal Archive has a rather "thin" feel compared to Kodak Supra Endura.

Tom

not sure about cut sheet as i only buy in 50inch rolls. though i did have some fuji 30" gloss recently which is not a normal buy for me and it seemed thin. i pulled it out of the box and thought EH? why so thin? is Fuji scrimping hehehe. I like my paper to have some weight to it.

mikecnichols · Jan 27, 2011

Stephen Frizza said:
not sure about cut sheet as i only buy in 50inch rolls. though i did have some fuji 30" gloss recently which is not a normal buy for me and it seemed thin. i pulled it out of the box and thought EH? why so thin? is Fuji scrimping hehehe. I like my paper to have some weight to it.

I wish it were thicker as well, but I'm more concerned about the high quality emulsion on the paper and its longevity.

Stephen Frizza · Jan 27, 2011

mikecnichols said:
I wish it were thicker as well, but I'm more concerned about the high quality emulsion on the paper and its longevity.

I completely agree.

hpulley · Jan 27, 2011

No double weight color paper then? Pity... Still not set up for RA-4 but would need to source some paper to try. Finally have a color head but have only used it for multigrade B&W so far.

Photo Engineer · Jan 27, 2011

perkeleellinen said:
Confusing all this terminology. Is "type C paper" the stuff which is being sold in the UK that's cut down by Ilford?

Type "C" paper was a brand name established by Kodak for its first Neg-Pos color paper. Type "R" paper was a brand name established by Kodak for its first Pos-Pos color paper. When they changed the names to Ektacolor paper and Ektachrome paper, they abandoned the names, but some people in the trade kept the names alive for any brand of Neg-Pos or Pos-Pos paper.

PE

Jeff Bannow · Jan 27, 2011

I've been using this paper in a 10" roll and it's pretty nice. I'm just making contact sheets right now, but it looks good to me.

Photo Engineer · Jan 27, 2011

Reviewing the reference from 2006, Fuji stated that the new paper would contain new thinner emulsions with less silver and that these emulsions would develop more efficiently (and rapidly?) than the current papers. They said nothing about new dyes or support. At that time, the paper was said to have been introduced and if you read posts here on APUG from that time period, the paper apparently had a different color balance and was not marked to identify it from prior batches.

It seems that they have now issued a new version that can be identified. If you print with red filter packs, then the previous problems with cyan filtration have been solved. If it develops properly in normal RA4 chemistry, then it seems that problem was solved as well.

From what I can tell, this is a major advance that was in the offing since 2006, but which had some teething problems back then which have now been solved. I hope we have a source of good cut sheet paper!

PE

Jeff Bannow · Jan 27, 2011

I actually used the same color filter settings from some Fuji Type C and it looks pretty close, color balance-wise. I'm happy so far.

The real test will be making actual prints, which will happen later.

anikin · Jan 27, 2011

For thicker paper, get CA type P. I got a package of 16x20 and very happy with it. Great colors and skin tones, contrast is well managed. It's rather disappointing that Kodak decided to concede this market to Fuji. However, the latest Fuji papers appear all to be very good indeed.

EdSawyer · Jan 27, 2011

Good to hear there is still a good source of cut-sheet RA4 paper! I've been stockpiling Endura but can probably back off on that if the Fuji CA type 2 works well.

-Ed

Jeff Bannow · Jan 27, 2011

Greg Davis said:
Is anyone processing this at room temperature? And how do the images look from Kodak negative film?

No issues using this with Kodak film through a Kreonite roller processor. I'm curious too about room temp developing.

new Fuji RA4 paper

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