Promaster RC Paper?

NB23 · Nov 5, 2021

I have noticed a few boxes of “Promaster RC” papers at my local dealer.
5x7 and 8x10.

Fairly cheaper than Ilford. And I admit to being a bit of a snob when it comes to companies named “promaster” and/or not as notorious as Ilford.

My question is, who manufactures “promaster” papers? Are they reliable papers?

Paul Howell · Nov 5, 2021

I was going to ask how fresh was it, had not seen Promaster for many years, when my local camera shop carried it I was told it was rebranded Mitsubishi, no idea who is makes it maybe Mitsubishi is coating again? I found the Promaster web site, price is OK, $69 for 100 sheets 8X10. When I last used it I found it fine for work prints.

NB23 · Nov 5, 2021

Thanks for answering.
I guess I’d be foolish to be concerned with longevity once the silver halides/dyes are properly fixed and washed...

The paper is fresh. The boxes seemed to be there forever except that lately there has been a price hike on Ilford papers and I saw the pile of promaster boxes steadily get lower until today where there were 3 boxes left. I snatched one.

5x7 RC 100 sheets: 37.99$ canadian vs 57.99$ for Ilford RC.

Paul Howell · Nov 5, 2021

Here is a link to the web site, don't know if the site is current. I now use Photo Wearhouse house branded paper, I buy 8X10 and 11X14 for work prints and Foma FB grade 3 for presentation prints. A 100 sheet box of Ultrafine Elite 5X7 is $34.95 + shipping.

https://www.promaster.com/Category/640161046

DREW WILEY · Nov 5, 2021

Promaster is simply a big wholesaler of all kinds of private-label things to camera store retailers. Many of their filters are top quality Hoya, for example, but somewhat on the pricey side because they're buying from Hoya first and obviously need to make some profit of their own. I have no idea who makes their paper. Might just be another flavor of Arista. I dunno. The large local camera store now carries it, and they have a lot of student customers. It's definitely a lower priced line than Ilford, and all fresh inventory, made fairly recently. But I need real deal Ilford, so doubt I'll ever try it myself.

Jay Schrotenboer · Nov 5, 2021

I have several “promaster” filters, and now a “promaster” tripod (I think carbon fiber, but it doesn’t actually say). All bought locally, the filters about 20 years ago, the tripod I bought a couple months ago for my 4x5 monorail. Never seen paper with that name though. It all seems like good stuff so far so who knows.

Paul Howell · Nov 5, 2021

I have a few Promaster lens, were sold as kit lens with Minolta, Pentax, Nikon and Canon bodies, were either Tamron or Sigma. I have not seen Pro Master paper in my market for a very long long, the store that I bought it from is no longer in business, the owner was certain it was Mitsubishi which he said had or has has a coating plant here in the U.S that makes inkjet paper as well. At the time he sold to schools and college students. The paper I used was pretty good, quality seemed fine, responded to filters just as ILford. If my local store carried it I would buy again.

NB23 · Nov 5, 2021

Ok, I am out of the darkroom. Printed 30 and I am happy. Good quality.

RC 5x7 for family shots, wife, kids, I am happy.

mshchem · Nov 5, 2021

NB23 said:
Ok, I am out of the darkroom. Printed 30 and I am happy. Good quality.

RC 5x7 for family shots, wife, kids, I am happy.

I bought a bunch of this when my local shop closed 3 years ago. It seems fine, I think what I have is several years old. Works OK. I use this and some other stuff for development work (pun intended) .

Promaster RC Paper?

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