Oriental Seagull VC RC II

Wayne

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I don't use RC paper much, but being cheap and poor and having had a good experience with some Ilford RC paper recently I bought some of this Oriental. Is anyone else using this specific paper?

At grade 4 I'm getting less contrast than I got recently with Ilford VC paper at Grade 3. The only difference is I'm using homemade D-72, because I ran out of Multigrade developer. I haven't done a full safelight test (I'm using red LED) but wonder if that's the main problem, or if this paper just sucks. I havent had any trouble with the LEDs with other papers. Another thread talks about safelights with a different Seagull version

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

but it's similar to what I'm using, which is:

http://www.orientalphotousa.com/ns_vc_rcII.htm

I'm going to try to reprint tonight using an OC safelight and see what happens.

can you return paper just because "you don't like it"?
 

MattKing

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I use both MGIV RC and the Oriental Seagull RCII, and get a good range of contrast with each. My paper was purchased in 2014. I think that the paper referred to in the APUG thread you linked to is also the RCII version.

My safelights are a combination of red and amber LED bulbs bounced off a tan coloured ceiling. I'm using an Ilford Multigrade 400 light source.

My developer is fresh Kodak Polymax T.

I would suspect your developer is the culprit.

Below is a scan of a toned print on 11x14 Oriental Seagull RCII. I used the Ilford paper to print the same negative for my recent card in the current APUG Postcard Exchange.

 
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Wayne

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Are you using the variable contrast RC paper?

The thread I linked referred to a graded RC paper. Mine is variable contrast. I have 2 sheets of Ilford left. I will try to recreate the print I made in Multigrade recently using the D-72. I wouldn't think it should give results more than a grade different from Multigrade.
 

RSalles

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I have a box of 100 8x10 and have used 1/4 of the box. My impression is that it has a more continuous shape contrast curve then the other RC papers I used, including Ilford Warmtone. It means a less contrast response with the same MC filter grade. I'm using it exactly for this reason to print the more contrasted negatives, as it has a excellent separation on both highlights and shadows using Dektol 1:1 or 1:2.

Cheers,

Renato
 
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Wayne

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Hmmph well tonite I maxed out the magenta which didnt even get me to what the specs say would be a grade 5, but looks to me like more than a grade increase over last nights Grade 4. But at least there's contrast now, maybe too much.
 

MattKing

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Wayne said:
The thread I linked referred to a graded RC paper.
Click to expand...
Oops - I read the linked thread incorrectly.

It is the Variable Contrast version I am using.

My light source is limited to a Grade 4, so for the few times when I need more I use a PolyMax 5 filter under the lens + the 4 filter setting on the head.
 

JW PHOTO

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MattKing said:
Oops - I read the linked thread incorrectly.

It is the Variable Contrast version I am using.

My light source is limited to a Grade 4, so for the few times when I need more I use a PolyMax 5 filter under the lens + the 4 filter setting on the head.
Click to expand...
Matt,
How do you find the Oriental as far as selenium toning? Does it tone as well as Ilford MGIV? You and I are using the same light source so I'm a little curious as to the Oriental Seagull papers. If it tones well I might just order some to play with. I've been experimenting with Adorama brand paper, but I ran into a road block and will either go back to 100% Ilford or something in the order of Oriental Seagull.
 

MattKing

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I do a lot of split toning and combinations involving partial bleach plus toning.

The Oriental Seagull RCII is more responsive to toning than the Ilford MGIV RC, which I find to be quite resistant to toning.

But with respect to Selenium Toning, the Oriental Seagull RCII seems to actually get warmer as it tones, so it may not be to everyone's taste.
 

JW PHOTO

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Thanks Matt! Oriental Seagull sounds interesting and I like the fact that it is a little more responsive to selenium toning. I like Ilford MGIV for bleach back/redevelop Sepia toning, but am not impressed with the way it selenium tones. It's nothing like the old Ilford Ilfobrom graded from years ago that I used.
 
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Wayne

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I thought of something else. The negative was developed in an hq staining developer which has a reddish-brown stain which may have acted differently with the different spectral sensitivity of Seagull VC RCII. Although the film was Pan F which doesn't seem to stain heavily, I also should not have trouble getting good contrast with Pan F.
 
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