Some thoughts on Emaks

[PVia]

I've had a few sessions with Emaks K888, using the grade 4 to help me print some flat med-format negatives. I'm using LPD developer at 1:2 for approx 2 1/2 minutes.

Overall thoughts: The paper's finish is beautiful, a very natural air-dried glossy finish with a nice weight to it. The gloss is slightly more glossy than Ilford FB, and has slightly less weight to it than the Ilford. It feels like a quality paper in the hand. It has a white base that registers as white to the eye, but it is not as white as Ilford FB, a small difference not noticed unless the two are viewed side by side. The paper is very economical with a 25 sheet pack going for $14.99 at Freestyle.

I found Emaks to be almost one stop slower than Ilford.

I didn't find the grade 4 that contrasty, but then again, I was printing flat negatives, trying to eke some decent contrast and light separation from them.

Drydown seemed considerable, at least 12-15% it seemed to me. I didn't measure this, it's just an off-the-cuff judgement. Have others noticed this as well?

I bought a red safelight filter to use with this paper, but didn't use it, instead using my usual OC filter at first to see what would happen. The paper was fine, with no discernible fogging or discoloration at all. I work quickly with my paper, and as soon as the image starts coming up in the developer I always turn it upside down in the tray to completion.

I have not toned any of the prints made with this paper yet, but I did some local bleaching as well as some tray bleaching of the entire print. It seemed to take bleach well.

I know there's a very good recent thread re this paper already on APUG, but wanted to add another first-hand experience for those thinking about trying this paper.

 

[Guillaume Zuili]

Tone it... -)

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

It tones very nicely. One of the real attractions of Emaks is that it responds well to processing controls, like amidol and waterbath processing, contrast controlling developers, and toning. I haven't tried it in an autotoning developer, but I suspect this would work as well.

More modern papers are designed to be very consistent independent of process, which has its advantages, but makes the paper less flexible, if you like to experiment with such things.

 

[dancqu]

I bought a red safelight filter to use with this paper,
but didn't use it, instead using my usual OC filter at
first to see what would happen. The paper was fine,
with no discernible fogging or discoloration at all.

Right. Nice gloss, deep blacks, AND as flat a paper out
of the box as any I've encountered. By my tests it makes
a center Grade 2 with Beer's 7, a most contrasty brew.

If you need more contrast try Slavich. Makes Grade 3.
Slavich Grade 4 may make 5. Dan

 

[dancqu]

A PS: I'm using a rather bright yellow-ish orange
safelighting with no problems. Dan

 

[PVia]

Guillaume, yes I'll try toning it...selenium for now, and sepia next.

David, I'll try a few of those ideas, as well as LPD at a higher temp for the heck of it.

Dan, very flat out of the box and dries pretty flat as well, great blacks...and I'll try Slavich. I bought a pack of Slavich grade 4 at the same time as the Emaks!

As I mentioned, I'm working on some flat negatives and trying to dial in something that will help me with them.

 

[dancqu]

Dan, very flat out of the box and dries pretty flat as well,
great blacks...and I'll try Slavich. I bought a pack of Slavich
grade 4 at the same time as the Emaks!

I erred. My tests show Slavich grade 2 a borderline
grade 3 using Beer's 1 and a borderline grade 4 using
Beer's 7. Beer's 1 and 7 are the extremes of the
Beer's contrast control developer. Grade 4
Slavich may make grade 6.

BTW, My pack of Slavich was the most bent of
any paper I've seen. Really warped.
Surprisingly contrasty. Dan

 

[frdrx]

I didn't know that Emacs has a use in darkrooom printing.

 

[pwitkop]

frdrx, works great, you just have to contort your fingers while processing it for it to come out right ;o)

 

[TheTrailTog]

PVia, glad to hear you're enjoying the Emaks. I'm loving it so far. Tried with some Ilford Warmtone 1+9 last night and I think I found a combo I want to stick with for a while. Made for some beautiful tones. I posted (there was a url link here which no longer exists) last night. I'll be interested in hearing how the selenium toning goes for you as I want to do some myself.

Aaron