RA-4 In the USA

aoresteen

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What is the best route for processing Fuji CA or Kodak color paper at home? I last printed color paper around 2006 and things have changed since then. I have a Jobo rotary processor & print tanks but I didn't see any RA-4 kits at B&H other than the Arista kits. Most of the stuff listed seems to be for mini-labs & such. IIRC I used a Kodak RA-4 kit back in the day.

I think the Artista kits are made by Photo Systems/Unicolor in Michigan.

Anyone know what the capacity the Arista 4 Liter RA4 kit can process in terms of 8x10 sheets? The PDF doesn't say.


I'd like to process for say a week at a time and use up the chemistry rather than store it. I won't be able to start printing color until next May or June as my B&W printing back log is huge but I need to start planning my color printing now. Thanks!
 

RPC

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I use Kodak RA-RT Developer/Replenisher for developer and do room temperature processing in trays with excellent results, although it works in drums and processors as well and is very economical. I buy both the developer and Kodak bleach-fix from Adorama. These chemicals are designed for mini-labs but work great for the home user as well. They can be stored, and last many months after mixing if stored correctly. I use glass jars filled to the top and sealed tightly for the developer to minimize oxidation.

For paper I buy Fuji CA-II paper from either Adorama or B&H. Kodak paper is no longer available in cut sheets
 
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aoresteen

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Thanks! Are these 10 L size what you are referring to?

https://www.adorama.com/kkradrrt.html

https://www.adorama.com/kkrabfr10l.html
 

1kgcoffee

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I too use the Kodak chemicals. Those are what I recommend.

It really doesn't take long to cut your own paper from rolls. My suggestion is to buy Kodak endura in rolls and chop it down. It's very economical and Kodak paper tends to have greater compatibility than Fuji from what I have read. Looks beautiful and doesn't crinkle

One thing that has changed is that you can now print colour easily on a condenser enlarger with rgb bulbs like the lifx.
 

mshchem

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RPC

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Have you ordered the chemicals you link to? They only show one bottle, part a, for $13. There are three bottles needed, parts a,b,and c,
 

DREW WILEY

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The Arista kits from Freestyle contain identical chemistry to the Kodak RA/RT kits, completely interchangeable. The Fuji Super C version of Crystal Archive has a reasonably thick paper, but I don't know if you can find it in all sizes.
 

mshchem

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RPC said:
Have you ordered the chemicals you link to? They only show one bottle, part a, for $13. There are three bottles needed, parts a,b,and c,
Click to expand...
I've ordered a lot of chemistry from Unique, the pictures are sometimes screwy as are some at B&H. Adorama sells the same stuff pricing is different because Adorama gives free shipping. RA4 from the other guys works fine too. I'm loyal to Kodak for C41 ,Fuji for E6. The Arista kits for RA4 work fine. I recommend a stop between developer and blix .
I love printing color, really good 5x5 or 5x7 prints are fun. I'm a glossy fan, when dried with an Ilford dryer the gloss is so high you need to wear gloves to handle. The Fuji luster is a good surface for handling.
 

Wayne

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What's an "Ilford Dryer"? Do you mean an IWD-42?
 

btaylor

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I got one of these in a darkroom lot. Replaced the foam in the rollers and it works great. Dries an RC print perfectly in seconds.
 

mshchem

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btaylor said:
That is too funny! I just picked it out from Google images-- it's famous!
Click to expand...
Now when I Google something, I start to read something and think, that guy is full of it, then I realize that I'm reading my own post .

Modern problems
Best Regards Mike
 

mshchem

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They have a really clean 110V Ilford 1250 used on secondhand darkroom UK £1300, delivery not included. I think I gave 150 bucks for my 1250, delivered, and less than 60 bucks for the rescued one.
It's really better for fresh tortillas than pizza.
 

koraks

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mshchem said:
Fuji Crystal Archive paper is great
Click to expand...
I never got good solid blacks without brown mottling from Crystal Archive II. The somewhat heavier Crystal Archive Supreme is much better and acceptable, although not quite as good in this respect as Kodak Endura. The old Crystal Archive (non-II) was fine, but it's been out of production for years now.
 

lantau

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Is that mottling due to manual processing variations like temperature?

I only just started RA4 and finished my third day of making colour prints, today. I ordered a box of Kodak Endura in October and haven't been having any problems, so far. But who knows if Kodak products will stay available in the market. Fuji is quite dominant. The dealer which has been selling boxes (they cut sheets from rolls when you order a box) suddenly doesn't offer Kodak sheets nor rolls anymore. Kodak colour chems have always been difficult to find. I hope thats just a temporary problem with the Alaris distribution.

I'm developing in a Nova slot processor at 35-36°C. Would I be having any trouble with Fuji paper?

For the OP, I'd like to mention that the Kodak RA/RT developer has a fairly unpleasant amine smell (probably the Triethanolamine in there). Fuji and Tetenal products claim they are odourless. (AC products in the Fuji range). It was quite a stink mixing the developer in a 5L bucket. It's ok now using the slot processor, but with trays I'd imagine it to be quite bad. I can smell it when I pull the sheet from the developer slot.
 

RPC

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The smell of the Kodak RA-RT developer is due to a preservative (not triethanolamine) that gives it a working life that is probably longer than any developer there is, in my experience.
 
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aoresteen

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Thanks all. I think I will go with Kodak chemicals an a 12" roll of of Kodak paper. I can make 8.5 x12 contact prints, 8x12 enlargemets, 12x12, and 12x18 prints.
 
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