RA4 processing

[FujiLove]

This morning, following a talk with AG the supplier of the chemicals, my saga is at an end. They are taking back what remains of the Tetenal kit and refunding me the cost. In return I have ordered more of the Kodak Ektacolor RA4 plus the starter and the RA4 Ektacolor bleach to go with it. The relationship between them and myself remains intact and they still have my business.

Good to know.

I've always found AG great to deal with. Last week I emailed them with some questions about colour paper and they responded within 30 minutes with a very helpful email. I placed an order for chemicals, paper and other items at lunchtime on Thursday and the order was at my door by 1pm the following day. Delivered for free too, despite it being a very heavy box.

(incidentally, the package arrived quicker than the Amazon Prime order I made at the same time!)

 

[Photo Engineer]

Yeah, all of that from the PN reference too. I've gotten forgetful in my old age.

PE

 

[BMbikerider]

@OP

JFYI, I found this older thread about yellow staining in a different forum. I am posting this in case the problems should persist even with the fresh Kodak developer. It is interesting in so far as PE describes a scenario where yellow staining is caused by exhausted blix but might not show when paper is run through blix only, whch coincides with your observations. IIRC we didn't discuss the state of your blix in this thread, so I am not sure if your blix is older or was mixed freshly.

RA-4 Printing Problem

The blix was fresh. It was also the same blix used with the single sheet of paper processed in the last remaining Kodak RA4 I had. and this turned out perfectly normal.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

For reference and as a note to this thread: Tetenal RA-4 developer ( https://www.ag-photographic.co.uk/tetenal-ra-4-developer-4x10l-3880-p.asp ) works perfectly well in a Nova Slot Tank with the Kodak Ektacolor starter.

Tom

 

[Tom Kershaw]

In addition, I've now tried the Tetenal product at room temperature (full strength 1+9 from concentrate) and this works fine as well, i.e in the manner suggested by 'Photo Engineer'. So at present from brief experience, the Tetenal products works as the Kodak product despite the different packaging.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

To update this thread. The Tetenal RA-4 concentrate that dilutes 1+9 to make a replenishment solution, works well diluted 1+19 to make a one-shot solution for Jobo drum processing of paper. i.e 50ml conc. + 950ml water. At this usage rate processing 400 sheets of 12"x10" paper should be possible per kit, assuming 200ml working solution per print.

I'm sure that if working with a large tank of solution the starter is a good idea, and checking my bottle of Ektacolor starter the suggestion additions / dilutions seem very similar to those for the Tetenal product.

For reference I'm using fresh Fuji Crystal Archive paper - the variety available as cut sheet.

 

[brbo]

New to RA4 printing. I bought the Kodak Ektacolor Developer and Blix 4x5L kit (replenisher). Was surprised that none of the bottles (A, B or C) in developer kit were sealed when both bottles in blix kit were airtight sealed.

Is this normal? Should I transfer the concentrates to glass bottles and top them with Protectan?

Print came out really nice so the developer is OK...

 

[Tom Kershaw]

New to RA4 printing. I bought the Kodak Ektacolor Developer and Blix 4x5L kit (replenisher). Was surprised that none of the bottles (A, B or C) in developer kit were sealed when both bottles in blix kit were airtight sealed.

Is this normal? Should I transfer the concentrates to glass bottles and top them with Protectan?

Print came out really nice so the developer is OK...

I've noticed this before. Personally, I would keep the concentrates in the containers supplied - and mix up 5L at a time for consistent results.

 

[perkeleellinen]

New to RA4 printing. I bought the Kodak Ektacolor Developer and Blix 4x5L kit (replenisher). Was surprised that none of the bottles (A, B or C) in developer kit were sealed when both bottles in blix kit were airtight sealed.

Is this normal?

Yes, this is normal. Like Tom I mix up all 5 litres which I then put into 1 litre pop bottles with the air squeezed out. I have had success printing from chemistry like this stored for 2-3 years.

 

[brbo]

Good to hear. I started by mixing 1L at a time. Next batch I'll just make 5L and divide that into 1L Coke bottles.