Problem with my RA4 chemistry?

[thefizz]

I was doing some RA4 printing today with the Kodak Ektacolor RT/LU developer replenisher in a heated slot processor and experienced the following problem.

The white areas of the print and the borders are a cloudy off-white colour. I printed in darkness so I'm confident its not a fogging issue. You can see from the image that the white strip at the top is part of the paper which actually sat up over the level of developer in the slot processor.

The chemistry was new and freshly mixed. The paper was Kodak Endura, possibly 5 years old.

 

[mnemosyne]

Chances are that the paper is age fogged. The Kodak Endura paper I have been buying recently has a (box) shelf life of two years. Of course it also depends on storage conditions.

 

[anikin]

I agree with mnemosyne. It's probably just age fogging of old paper. Color paper does not keep all that well. When level of fogging is slight, I add a bit of BTZ to the developer until I get clear blank areas - you'll need to experiment on the amount. Or just get new paper.

 

[EdSawyer]

It's not age fogging. That shows up as yellowing of the paper base and it's across the whole print, this is showing the issue only on the developed areas. Undeveloped RA4 paper is going to be blue/greenish colored, so this paper must have been fully developed or bleached, since there is none of that coating left. Endura keeps well, esp. frozen. 5yrs old is nothing for Endura though most cut sheet endura is going to be at least that old now. And there is no new paper of comprable quality/thickness/convenience to cut-sheet Endura, sadly. I suspect something in the bleach/fix step.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Endura shows fog across the whole sheet if it is kept poorly. The color depends on product version.

It keeps well if refrigerated and keeps very very well if frozen.

PE

 

[thefizz]

I since tried a box of two year old endura and same problem exists. This is strange as the chemicals are new and freshly mixed.

 

[JoJo]

2 years old Endura? I thought Supra was stopped longer ago. Ultra was later and since 2 years it should be Premier.
5 years ago, there was no Premier.
So "Endura" is not "Endura".

RA-4 paper white is never completely white like for example the paper back side.
But it can also be influenced by the process.
The picture is too small to see details, but maybe the developer was too warm or development time was too long or there is a problem with the stop bath.
Do you use a stop bath?

5yrs old is nothing for Endura

Again, what is "Endura"?
Nearly all Kodak paper is called "Endura". Supra-Endura, Ultra-Endura, Endura Premier....

Supra Endura stored at room temperature is not white any more after 5 years. Base color is light brown or a kind of "chamois". It may be okay for many pictures but it is not the same like fresh paper.
I have several rolls of Supra with exp.Date 2010-2012 stored at 10-15°C and none is still white!
Ultra Endura is a bit better, but after 7 years or more, the base color is yellowish-green.
Royal paper is more stable. I have rolls drom 2009 which are really good today.
Fuj CA is best for storage.


Joachim

 

[thefizz]

I checked my papers, the 5 year old was supra endura and the 2 year old was premier endura.