RA-4 paper 2 years at room temp

Wayne · Oct 27, 2015

I found my box of RA-4 paper where it shouldn't be, sitting under a pile of other stuff hidden from view. It was supposed to be in the freezer. Bad paper!!

Is there even a rat's chance in a mousehole that its still good after 2 years at room temp, in a room that sometimes gets pretty warm in summer? yes, I'll definitely "try it and see" so thanks in advance for that practical advice.

bvy · Oct 27, 2015

I'd say there's a very good chance that it's very usable. I may not trust it for "critical" work (whatever that means), but definitely try it and... well, you know.

Wayne · Oct 27, 2015

railwayman3 · Oct 27, 2015

There's a chance, to the extent I certainly wouldn't bin it untried. Sometimes old film and paper can prove to be amazing resilient....I've successfully used 10 y.o. B&W paper stored at room temp. OTOH, I wouldn't depend on it to print my daughter's wedding photos.....

Photo Engineer · Oct 27, 2015

Kodak and Fuji RA-4 papers are quite stable.

PE

anikin · Oct 27, 2015

I regularly use ra-4 paper stored at room temperature since I don't have a fridge big enough for 20x24 boxes and 40" rolls. It does deteriorate quicker than b/w, but not quite as bad as one would think. If unfortunate happens, and you see whites with some fogging tinge, try adding a small amount of benzotriazole into the developer. I've beed using it quite succesfully with old expired fujiflex paper which is painfully expensive to replace.

newcan1 · Oct 28, 2015

With most papers, even with fairly significant base fog I have had remarkable success bringing them back to life with the addition of benzotriazole into the developer.

DREW WILEY · Oct 28, 2015

I amazed just how well my RA4 papers have stored; but I'm in a fairly temperate climate. Nothing so far that couldn't be handled with just a
very minor colorhead tweak. Totally different experience than my Ciba printing days, when thawed paper would gradually shift in a period
of months, and have insurmountable crossover after only six months past thaw.

Wayne · Oct 28, 2015

DREW WILEY said:
Totally different experience than my Ciba printing days, when thawed paper would gradually shift in a period
of months, and have insurmountable crossover after only six months past thaw.

That's why I was worried, because I'm used to Ilfochrome dying in far less than 2 years at room temp. Yet another reason I'm excited about RA-4!

David Lyga · Oct 28, 2015

newcan1 said:
With most papers, even with fairly significant base fog I have had remarkable success bringing them back to life with the addition of benzotriazole into the developer.

newcan speaks the truth. But I add: ALSO add a little baking soda to the developer, maybe a gram or so per quart. That might make fog even less prevalent. I do not know why, but I use it because it works. - David Lyga

Wayne · Oct 28, 2015

I always keep a benzotriazole solution handy, because most of my paper is old. From the days when I could afford paper.

Wayne · Oct 29, 2015

I'm happy to report the paper worked perfectly. No benzotriazole needed.

Photo Engineer · Oct 29, 2015

What brand/type was it?

PE

Wayne · Oct 29, 2015

Arista, which I gather from old posts is probably Fuji...

I started with the same filtration I used on a print last November and nailed it the first time. Or at least within 5 cc.

Photo Engineer · Oct 29, 2015

I have no idea now who makes what for whom.

Wayne · Oct 29, 2015

And I don't know how to tell because its all I've used, so far, because I'm still pretty new to RA-4 and its dirt cheap. Once I get a couple hundred prints under my belt I will probably standardize on Fuji or Kodak.

I think it was Drew who speculated Arista is Fuji CA..but could be wrong

RA-4 paper 2 years at room temp

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