Panalure stability

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

I was in a little photo shop the other day, and in their dwindling paper section, I saw some yellow boxes of Polycontrast and other goodies. No Polymax, sadly, but a 50 sheets box of 11x14 Panalure. It seems to be from the same era as the Polycontrast, so probably the last batches that Kodak produced, but no trace of an expiration date anywhere. Would that be worth bargaining for, or is it already fogged beyond hope?

 

[Konical]

Good Evening, Michel,

I don't know specifically about Panalure's keeping abilities, but I'd certainly try to get some if it can be had at a bargain price. Maybe some of the stuff can be found on E-Bay so you might be able to get some idea of what a fair price might be.

Konical

 

[drpsilver]

22 Jan 2007

MHV:

First, remeber that Kodak Panlure IS NOT a conventional B&W paper. It was designed to print color (C-41) negatives as B&W with reasonable contrast and exposure times. The most important aspect is that if opened under an OC safelight you will fog the paper. You need a #13 (red) safelight, or work with it in total darkness.

With this said, I have several nboxes of Panalure that are between 6 and 10 years old. I have kept it in a cool and dark environment for as long as I have has it (4 years), and the person I got it from had it for about an equal time. The last time I used it (several months ago) it seemed to work very well.

It is interesting stuff if you are willing to work with its properties. Have fun.

Regards,
Darwin

 

[Woolliscroft]

Wonderful stuff. Such a shame it's gone, I use to use a lot and still have a couple of boxes in the freezer. I found half a box a while ago, forgotten in the bottom of a darkroom drawer, which must have been there the best part of a decade. It seems to be fine. I have no idea what it's market value is, but I suppose that it is ultimately worth whatever you are prepared to pay for its unique abilities. As Darwin says, you can't use it under a normal safelight. I use it in total darkness. Assuming you really know your darkroom layout, you very quickly get used to it. I use 8 x 10 on a 12 x 16 easel so that the extra weight stops me moving it accidentally when blundering about in the dark.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

OK, thanks guys, I was really concerned about spending my lunch money on it and discovering that it has fallen to dust. Somewhere I had in mind that it was dye-based because of its use to print colour, but duh, it's just a panchro silver emulsion. So it should have keeping properties similar to slow film, which isn't that bad.

 

[drewallen]

I just picked up a 250 count box of 8x10 and 100 count box of 5x7 Panalure on eBay. It should be arriving later this week. The 8x10 expired 8/03, though seller says it was stored in a cool, dark area of a lab. I'm interested to see if/how it has held up. For $15, I figured it was worth a shot. I'll post a report once I get the stuff and try it out.

d.