Printing On "OLD" Grade 4 AZO

[Jim Moore]

I just won a 500ct box of Old Grade 4 AZO paper on eBay.

I don't remember where I read it but if I remember correctly there is little to worry about when buying Old AZO.

The auction description says that the paper is still sealed in the inner bags. My only concern is the paper being fogged from age.

If this is the case is there anything that can be added to the developer (I'm planning on using Simth's Amidol) to help?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Peter Schrager]

Addition

Jim-I'm of the opinion that about one to one and half ounces of a 1% benzotriazole solution will bring it back. It's also called anti-foggant. Good luck
Peter

 

[donbga]

I just won a 500ct box of Old Grade 4 AZO paper on eBay.

I don't remember where I read it but if I remember correctly there is little to worry about when buying Old AZO.

The auction description says that the paper is still sealed in the inner bags. My only concern is the paper being fogged from age.

If this is the case is there anything that can be added to the developer (I'm planning on using Simth's Amidol) to help?

Thanks,

Jim

Jim,

You are a lucky man. According to Michael Smith AZO ages very well and grade 4 can produce tones with some negatives that aren't achievable with current grade 2 or 3.

Don Bryant

 

[donbga]

I just won a 500ct box of Old Grade 4 AZO paper on eBay.

I don't remember where I read it but if I remember correctly there is little to worry about when buying Old AZO.

The auction description says that the paper is still sealed in the inner bags. My only concern is the paper being fogged from age.

If this is the case is there anything that can be added to the developer (I'm planning on using Simth's Amidol) to help?

Thanks,

Jim

Jim,
One other note:

Don't be surprised if Michael reads your post he may want to purchase it! Maybe trade 100 sheets for a print .

Don

 

[Francesco]

Congratulations Jim! I would not worry about if you find that indeed the paper is still sealed within the inner wrappings. I find that I cannot fog AZO paper if I tried (I exagerate of course but you get the picture).

 

[Alex Hawley]

Ditto Jim. I have read several accounts of people finding decades-old Azo and having no trouble with it at all. I would try the straight MAS amidol formula first. Of course, Michael is probably the best authority for all Azo matters. You should contact him if you need real help.

PS - like said above, don't be surprised if Michael contacts you for a swap.

 

[noseoil]

Jim, I did my best to fog a few sheets. I could say it was an experiment, but it was just a mistake on my part. I left a couple of sheets at the paper cutter when chopping up some 4x5 from 8x10, just forgot to put them back into the safe. After the exposure, I went around to the other side and started developing. Needed to do an adjustment on the lamp, so after the print was in water, I flipped on the light switch. Didn't notice the paper for a minute or so. The top two sheets were fogged, the others were fine except for the edges. This stuff is pretty forgiving. Anything else would have been a total loss. tim

 

[Donald Miller]

I have some really old (cadium emulsion) Grade 1 through 4 that I bought on Ebay a couple of years ago. Beautiful stuff...much better then the current emulsion. It was not fogged. Azo lasts a long time.

 

[SteveGangi]

As near as I can tell, and the experts can correct me if needed, but Azo seems to last forever.

 

[Will S]

Some more grade 4 on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15226&item=3865563143&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

 

[Jim Moore]

Some more grade 4 on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15226&item=3865563143&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

You realise that you probably at the least tripled the price that will go for don't you?

 

[L Gebhardt]

I hope someone here buys it. I have been thinking about it as an experiment to see if 60 year old Azo paper is still good. I have my doubts, but I am prepared to be surprised. There is also some 60 year old Panatomic-X from the same guy. I know that will be fogged, but the box will make a nice darkroom decoration.

 

[Jim Moore]

I hope someone here buys it. I have been thinking about it as an experiment to see if 60 year old Azo paper is still good. I have my doubts, but I am prepared to be surprised. There is also some 60 year old Panatomic-X from the same guy. I know that will be fogged, but the box will make a nice darkroom decoration.

I was going to try to snatch it up if it doesn't go to high.

 

[James Bleifus]

Some more grade 4 on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15226&item=3865563143&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Heck, I'm the high bidder but I think you just killed my chance to buy it affordably.

Cheers,

James

 

[Gustavo_Castilla]

if you sale some

Hi if you do decide to sale some let me know
thanks

 

[Jim Moore]

I'm willing to bet that Michael already has a stash of Grade 4 that is large enough to meet his needs.

 

[Jim Moore]

The paper arrived today and I just mixed up a batch of Amidol and I'm off to the darkroom to give it a try.

Wish me luck!

Jim

 

[Alex Hawley]

Wish me luck!

Jim

Good Luck Jim!

 

[James Bleifus]

Good auction, Jim. Please let me know if you decide to sell any of the paper.

Cheers,

James

 

[matt miller]

The paper arrived today and I just mixed up a batch of Amidol and I'm off to the darkroom to give it a try.

Wish me luck!

Jim

How'd things turn out? What's old grade 4 like?

 

[Jim Moore]

How'd things turn out? What's old grade 4 like?

Matt,

Turned out good. I'm the first to admit that I'm no AZO "Expert" but I find nothing wrong with this old paper.

I only had a chance to print one negative on it, but I was happy with the results.

Jim

 

[matt miller]

Turned out good. I'm the first to admit that I'm no AZO "Expert" but I find nothing wrong with this old paper.

I only had a chance to print one negative on it, but I was happy with the results.

Jim

Excellent, glad to hear it. What an amazing paper.