R C Papers

[gma]

I know it is tabu even to mention RC paper, but I am more interested in conserving water and spending less of my time than in leaving behind photographs that will last 100 years. I am in the process of setting up a wet darkroom after 22 years without one. The Ilford RC papers I used in the 70's did not impress me at all. I know RC papers have been improved since then. Any recommendations on current RC papers, either VC or graded? I prefer either glossy or "pearl"semi-gloss.

gma

 

[david b]

When I work with RC paper it is with Ilford Pearl. It's very nice and easy to work with.

 

[bmac]

I don't think RC is tabu at all.

The new ilford RC multigrade paper is great. The Perl finish is one of my favorites. It is very different than the paper I learned on in the late 80's.

Brian

 

[gma]

Thanks, I just bought two packages of Ilford MG IV pearl a few weeks ago. I am glad to hear it was a good choice.

gma

 

[dalahorse]

Ilford Multigrade IV RC works very well for me. I see nothing wrong with RC paper for everyday work, and am not totally convinced that it's any less archival than other papers.

 

[Annemarieke]

Making archival prints is not the only reason to work in fibre. It is much more beautiful than RC, that's my main reason for working in fibre only for final prints.

Having said that, there is nothing against printing in RC, and even less against talking about it.

I mostly use llford Multigrade IV RC to make proof prints.

Good luck,
Anne Marieke

 

[Flotsam]

I was in the exact same position, returning to the darkroom after a long absence and determined to keep things as simple and easy as possible. I found that the new Ilford RC papers are much improved over the ones that I used a couple of decades ago.

 

[removed account4]

besides mgIV, ilford makes another really nice rc paper called "portfolio rc" (or something like that) - it is heavyweight and almost feels like fiber paper. i've used it off and on - it is pretty nice stuff

 

[David R Munson]

I never got used to Ilford Multigrade paper....I could never get the sort of print I wanted out of it. These days I'm using nothing but AGFA paper (outside of Azo, anyway) in both RC and FB. I've found their RC paper to be very easy to get a good print out of and it responds well to different developers. Pick up a 25 pack and see how you like it.

 

[ann]

I don't use RC papers for my work, but I have tested and have students who have tried various RC papers and we all agree that Seagull Oriental is the winner.

This is another case of whatever works for you, is the best choice.

 

[Bruce Osgood]

When I use RC paper I use MG IV Portfolio - Pearl. It is very nice.

 

[doughowk]

Latest issue of View Camera magazine has a good review of papers by Bruce Barlow. He includes at least one RC paper, Ilford RC Cooltone, in his top ten ( or was it top 12).

 

[david b]

I've also used Ilford Portfolio RC and frankly, was amazed by what it could do. It is very nice paper.

 

[127]

Ilford say (though explicitly don't guarentee) that the new RC's are believed to be as archival as fibre - though they honestly admit that only time will judge that accuratly.

I've used mainly fibre. However as I'm working in a "home darkroom" (ie the sort with a toilet and shower in it) my proceedures aren't as rigiouros as perhaps they should be. Under these conditions I suspect that RC may well fair better: Fibre processed well may be better than RC handled correcly, but as its more porous fibre is more vulnerable to poor washing, or fixing. I suspect that poorly processed RC will last longer than poorly processed fibre.

Of course the correct answer is to be more carefull and process more carefully...

Ian

 

[Jim Chinn]

I recently had to print about 100 8x10 proofs to go with a set of Fiber prints from a collection of vintage negatives. The proofs could be RC so I took my time to re acquaint myself with the materials. I found the Kodak polycontrast RC F, (F=lustre finish) to give a look most similar to a fiber paper. The Ilford line is probably the best overall with the RC Cooltone a very good paper for cold image applications.

 

[David Ruby]

I use Kokak Polycontrast III, Lustre of late, and I like it. The dull soft appearance is nice for certain subjects. I also use some Kodak Polycontrast II glossy and it's fine also.

I'm just back into a darkroom after about 5 years off, and have my own now. So like you, I just wanted to get back into it. I tried fiber a week or so ago, and I'm not saying that I won't change my mind in the future, but for they type of stuff I do, the speed and ease of RC makes me happiest!!

Does anyone know if there are any good RC papers that take to toning very easily? I've heard that most don't.

 

[ann]

It will depend on what you need and want with toning RC papers. We have tested a few and as I remember Berggers RC in selenium had a very nice warm brown tone, Seagull will also make a strong color shift. Have also toned Ilford's RC in sepia and then in selenium and ended up with chololate.
ALso, have used copper and iron , separtely and split with success. Of course these last two are not archival but RC is still toning.

In fact as i am typing and thinking. In our toning class which covers the basic toners at least one or two people tossed in some RC with results.