New Fuji Reversal Paper?

[Roger2000]

Hello,

Was just having a potter around the Nova Darkroom website, when I came across this intriguing new product line, coming soon...

http://www.novadarkroom.com/product/761/Fuji_Type_35.html

Could it be that what Fuji takes away with one hand (Sensia, Reala etc), it gives back with another?

Any information on the known quality of this paper and availability of the associated chemistry would be most welcome. It's certainly a dashed sight cheaper than Ilfochrome.

 

[AgX]

This is a former Fuji paper that suddenly emerges in the UK.
But where is the chemistry...

 

[E76]

I, too, thought this paper had been discontinued years ago along with Kodak Radiance. It's not listed on Fujifilmusa.com.

 

[AgX]

At least two dealers offer/announce it. Even if the paper would still be good, what is the use if the chemistry is no longer produced?

 

[perkeleellinen]

I was at Nova on Monday buying up their last stocks of Endura. I spoke for a while with them about colour papers in general and Fuji in particular, but there was no mention of a new pos-pos paper on the way. But then, we were speaking about RA4 papers.

 

[Roger2000]

Hello Steve,

Just out of interest, what did the chaps at Nova have to say about Fuji's new RA-4 sheets? I'm yet to try them but, as a Kodak negative man, I'm quite dubious as quite a few people on here seem to think that Fuji paper doesn't print Kodak stuff very well.

I was at Nova on Monday buying up their last stocks of Endura. I spoke for a while with them about colour papers in general and Fuji in particular, but there was no mention of a new pos-pos paper on the way. But then, we were speaking about RA4 papers.

 

[perkeleellinen]

Hi Roger,

They told me the paper was thinner than the Endura and that I should expect a cooler looking print. They didn't go into any detail regarding differences between printing Kodak or Fuji negs but I got the impression that they hadn't done a very thorough test and were just giving me their initial impressions.

Oh, and whilst I was there they told me that so far that day they'd had five people in to buy darkroom materials (this was around 1pm) and then another chap came in and bought some of the Fuji RA4 paper. The analogue business is 'stable' they told me.

 

[AgX]

What new RA-4 paper? The latest version I know of was introduced end 2008.

 

[pentaxuser]

Roger sounds like a phone call to Nova is required. I cannot see Nova selling reversal paper unless it expects to have suitable chemistry or be able to direct you to some.

pentaxuser

 

[AgX]

It is listed at Calumet UK too.

 

[pentaxuser]

Just did a bit of checking myself and yes, listed at Calumet for delivery right now and at Nova as coming soon but neither mention stocking R3 chemistry nor could I find any reference to a stockist of R3 chemistry using Google. It would seem that Nova's price means that compared to Ilfochrome paper or even Calumets type 35 reversal paper it is practically giving it away. It undercuts Calumet considerably but the whole issue raises more questions than answers.

Incidentally for U.K. lovers of Kodak Ultra Endura and who are prepared to attempt cutting themselves Calumet are prepared to sell a 12.7cm(5 inches)x 176 metre roll for £36.77. If my maths are correct that is about 977 sheets of 5x7 inches so under £4 a box of 100!!

Is this a pricing error, I wonder? It does say to call for availability which indicates it isn't in stock as most of the other stuff is more expensive and available immediately.

It might be like the old joke. Customer goes into a shop and says an item for which the shop is asking £10 is advertised at £5 in the shop opposite. Shopkeeper says: So why haven't you bought it from the shop opposite?

Customer: Because it hasn't got any right now.

Shopkeeper: OK then, when we haven't got any, our price is £5 as well :

pentaxuser

 

[hrst]

AFAIK, these kind of reversal papers are same type of chromogenic technology as RA-4 papers, but optimized for reversal processing, just like C-41 vs. E6 films.

So, even if chemistry is not currently available, some kind of home-brew reversal RA-4 mixes could work quite well in the meantime.

Or do anyone know the exact formulas for the chemistry? Even MSDS might help a lot.

 

[Matt5791]

The "Coming soon" notice on the NOVA website is refering to the prospect of a photograph of the product coming soon and the message probably shows in default of a photo being uploaded. In otherwords "Coming soon" is not referring to the arrival of a new product.

This is an old product and no longer in the Fuji portfolio - Nova probably have a box left and are looking to get rid of it. It was killed off, along with the chemistry, some time ago. With regard to Calumet, their website is often out of date.

Something important about the current Fuji cut paper - this is "basic" Fuji Crystal Archive, the type commonly found in high street mini labs, so it is a bit on the thin side when compared to the cut sheet Supra Endura that disappeared last year. It is NOT Type DP or Type MP - although I have seen it described as such! Type DP is a new RA4 paper optimised for digital exposure (Rather like the new Endura VC) but you can expose it optically and we have customers doing this (we just sent a 30" roll out today for this very purpose). Type MP is not made any more - this was the pro paper that DP has replaced. Both DP and the old MP are/were on thicker bases.

We have also found that Endure VC is fine for optical exposure, despite the original reservations people had about it - I think this was fuelled by Kodak at the begining when the paper had some teething problems. But Palm lab here in Birmingham have been printing on it no problem. It's only in rolls of course so you have to cut it yourself.

 

[pentaxuser]

Thanks Matt. That clears a few things up. A pity that some sites, unlike yours, aren't kept up to-date, creating confusion. I do now remember maybe over a year ago or more, Nova advertising what was the last of the reversal paper and chemistry to match.

It looks like it is type 35 and R3 - R.I.P. End of matter. It is Ilfochrome paper and chemistry or nothing.

pentaxuser

 

[Roger2000]

The "Coming soon" notice on the NOVA website is refering to the prospect of a photograph of the product coming soon and the message probably shows in default of a photo being uploaded. In otherwords "Coming soon" is not referring to the arrival of a new product.

This is an old product and no longer in the Fuji portfolio - Nova probably have a box left and are looking to get rid of it. It was killed off, along with the chemistry, some time ago. With regard to Calumet, their website is often out of date.

Something important about the current Fuji cut paper - this is "basic" Fuji Crystal Archive, the type commonly found in high street mini labs, so it is a bit on the thin side when compared to the cut sheet Supra Endura that disappeared last year. It is NOT Type DP or Type MP - although I have seen it described as such! Type DP is a new RA4 paper optimised for digital exposure (Rather like the new Endura VC) but you can expose it optically and we have customers doing this (we just sent a 30" roll out today for this very purpose). Type MP is not made any more - this was the pro paper that DP has replaced. Both DP and the old MP are/were on thicker bases.

We have also found that Endure VC is fine for optical exposure, despite the original reservations people had about it - I think this was fuelled by Kodak at the begining when the paper had some teething problems. But Palm lab here in Birmingham have been printing on it no problem. It's only in rolls of course so you have to cut it yourself.

Many thanks indeed for this update - most interesting.

As Supra Endura VC has been passed fit for using optically, do you think there's any chance of a third-party being employed to chop it into sheets, a la Fuji's CA? Failing that, will AG Photographic be offering rolls?

Many thanks once again (and apologies for the Fuji confusion)

 

[perkeleellinen]

The Fuji is being cut by Ilford. But I suppose there needs to be a middle person to supply the rolls, pay Ilford and store / distribute the boxes. Wonder who that is as they may consider doing Endura VC too, unless it's actually Fuji themselves.

 

[Matt5791]

Many thanks indeed for this update - most interesting.

As Supra Endura VC has been passed fit for using optically, do you think there's any chance of a third-party being employed to chop it into sheets, a la Fuji's CA? Failing that, will AG Photographic be offering rolls?

Many thanks once again (and apologies for the Fuji confusion)

Guess what....................We can supply Endura VC in sheets right now if anyone wants it (and we will be listing the rolls too, which we can also supply right now) but the price of this sheet Endura (which is available in Gloss, Lustre and Matt) is quite a lot more than the FCArchive we have already.

If anyone is interested please do email us at sales@ag-photographic.co.uk

Matt

 

[Roger2000]

Matt,

That’s fantastic news, and will no doubt be of interest to a great many people on this forum. I for one will be sure to try the VC Endura in sheets once I’ve finished off the last of my existing Supra. Good work indeed that man.

 

[tomalophicon]

I'm gonna revive this thread to post something I found from the Fuji India website.

http://www.fujifilm.in/products/bus...film_brand/photofinishing/colorreversalpaper/

I haven't contacted them yet but seems like they may still be selling this stuff in India.

 

[Mike Wilde]

I recently was gifted a box of 100 8x10 old stock but still viable Kodak Radiance paper, for colour prints from transparencies.

I do a b&w first developer in a tray in absolute darkness (time/temperature/dilution to first develop versus time to expose is a matter to work out with the developer chosen). Water rinse and then optical re-expose after first 20 seconds on the water rinse. I then feed the wet print into the regular RA-4 chemistry in my roller processor for the rest of the processing.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/shared/bin/AF3-718E.pdf

Tech info above. It requires an R-3 or compatible Fuji chemistry kit. Where to find the chems, nobody knows.

 

[Roger Cole]

The return of type R paper and chemicals would be very welcome if it's true that Fuji is making it again. Ilfochrome is wonderful stuff but just insanely expensive, and with more sometimes troublesome contrast than the old type R papers I used to print as well.

 

[Photo Engineer]

I think you dream! That is probably an old old data sheet from the 90s.

PE

 

[Roger Cole]

I think you dream! That is probably an old old data sheet from the 90s.

PE

Hey, we can dream, can't we?

 

[Photo Engineer]

Dream all you wish Roger.

BTW, you have the same name of a very respected Kodak researcher!

PE