P-cat for Double use Negatives

Hi all,

I just started using p-cat HD for my 8x10 negs, and am intending to print them initially on graded silver papers, but would like eventually to use them on silver-chloride and platinum. From what I've read, the brown stain is very good for this sort of use, but I have a few questions. First, what grade of graded paper should I be 'aiming' at if I want later to use AZO or PP? Second, in the PF instruction sheet, and in posts I've read, it's reccomended that one develop 30% more for printing on VC papers than on graded ones, yet the Sandy King article on unblinking eye treats them together in the graphs section at the end. Those of you who find yourselves in a similar position but have more experience w staining developers, how have you dealt w this? Thanks,

GB

For Platinum, figure a grade 1 paper. Can't help you with AZO.

If you do a search on Sandy King's posts here at apug you'll find it. But, it is hard to find Azo now. You'll have to wait for the Lodima Fine Art to come out unless you have some Azo already. I do see it on Ebay every once in awhile though. There is also a good article at unblinkingeye.com that talks about the densities and development times and shows curves for both graded silver papers and other processes.

As I understand it the stain provides extra density when using Azo because it is more sensitive to UV, which the stain blocks. I have enlarged onto Azo using a UV head, and I have found negatives that print well on graded silver can also be enlarged onto Azo.

Good luck,

Will

You might also want to look into Kentmere Kentona as an alternative to Azo. I have seen prints made on it developed in plain Dektol and other non-exotic developers that look the equal of Azo prints. I even know of some high priests in the church of Azo and Amidol who have converted (covertly of course). Another huge plus is the cost- Kentona is a fraction of the price of Azo.

TheFlyingCamera said:

For Platinum, figure a grade 1 paper. Can't help you with AZO.

Click to expand...

Figure grade 0 for Azo. Maybe even 00.