Slavich Unibrom and Rollei Superlith

Lyn Arnold · Feb 4, 2010

Whilst the colour and graininess of this combination look great (images of contents in old shearing sheds in Australia) I am getting development marks like wave patterns across the prints -- not in the same spots, so I know it's not in the exposure. It's very disappointing. I agitate quite vigorously, not letting the print just sit where there might be some areas of surface tension. Anyone out there experiencing this problem? The first print I did with this combination was great -- I thought I'd found the keys to the promised land -- but haven't had a successful one since.

Mark Fisher · Feb 4, 2010

Do the waves look something like this. These are coating problems from a particular batch of Slavich. If they don't look like this, I have a couple of suggestions. First, try agitating constantly, but gently in a tray one size larger than the print you are doing. Gentle agitation is really important with slavich. I've found I get areas of heightened development around the edges if I don't. You might also try a more dilute developer.

Guillaume Zuili · Feb 4, 2010

It happens on some batches. get the number series on your box and avoid it for future purchase...
Try also with weaker lith solution. And less B.

Lyn Arnold · Feb 4, 2010

Thank you Mark and Guillaume. I had heard about the extra development along the edges, but that has not happened. I'm not able to show you the prints; they are too large for my scanner.
Yes, it must be the paper as this has not happened with other papers. Will check out the number series. I ordered the paper from Freestyle by mail, so it's difficult to choose a series number from Australia. And...shipping charges are very high -- the minimum is around $50 -- so I can't afford another faulty batch. However, the paper is not too bad for bromoil.

I'll try using a weaker solution as you suggest Guillaume.

Thank you both again for your help.

Mark Fisher · Feb 4, 2010

forgot to add link

Mark Fisher said:
Do the waves look something like this. These are coating problems from a particular batch of Slavich. If they don't look like this, I have a couple of suggestions. First, try agitating constantly, but gently in a tray one size larger than the print you are doing. Gentle agitation is really important with slavich. I've found I get areas of heightened development around the edges if I don't. You might also try a more dilute developer.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists) is the image I was referring to.

Marco Buonocore · Feb 4, 2010

I've seen the wavy pattern on Slavich paper that was purchased at least ten years ago in Russia (a single weight graded paper), and on newer boxes of DW paper from Freestyle. Not only in lith, but regular paper developer. Seems a shame; there's a lot to like about the paper, but defects like that are unnacceptable. I was going to order a bunch of 20x24 not so long ago, but then I saw a few of Guillame's prints that showed the same problem, and quickly changed my mind. Who knows what percentage of paper has the problem, but even 1 in 10 seems like a silly risk.

I wondered at one point if it had something to do with too strong of an acid stop, but it's pretty evident that the problem arises in the developing stage. It'll ruin all but the most abstract print.

Existing Light · Feb 4, 2010

I havent had that problem with slavic so far. Now that I say that, my next box will have that defect

Guillaume Zuili · Feb 4, 2010

Even with this problem I will still use it. It's my main paper in Lith and I use a lot of paper... This paper can be tricky but when you have found the way to deal with it is just beautiful.
Massive diluted developer, grade 4 and you are good to go. Patterns like this happened on some Fomabrom too by the way. I think it's more a lith reaction. That never happened to me with regular dev and Slavich.

Mark Fisher · Feb 4, 2010

It is a very unique paper and, even with it's flaws, it is a great paper. If all I had were Fomatone and Slavich, I'd be pretty happy....of course I have lots of Kentmere warmtone in the freezer already I've been using grade 3. I'll try 4 next time.

Lyn Arnold · Feb 5, 2010

Thank you all once again. Mark, the affected areas are far worse thqn yours. Now that the prints are dry, I'll scan the worst spots -- they are really awful. This attempt was with SW paper, and I have a second unopened pack. I also bought some DW, also G4, so will try that next week. I love the paper for its "dryness" and cold tones. At least with bromoil you can brush in a bit more or a bit less ink to hide the defects, but lith is not so accommodating.

Slavich Unibrom and Rollei Superlith

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