Types of color RA-4 darkroom printing paper

[Marc Estalella]

Hello everyone!

I was searching about the types of color RA-4 darkroom printing paper and I didn't find many information online.
Black and white papers (RC and FB) come with all shapes and sizes but what about color paper?

I only found two types of Fuji paper: "Fuji Type DP II" and "Fuji Crystal Archive photographic color paper" (and I don't even know the difference between these two).

A list or and explanation will be really helpful.

Thanks!

 

[koraks]

Hi Marc, the best overview currently is here: https://www.originalphotopaper.com/en/products/photographic-papers/

You'll find that DPII is indeed a family of papers (available in 3 finishes IIRC), but the 'Crystal Archive' line of papers is much more expansive, with a couple of sub-types. They're all very closely related, though.

Then there's the Kodak-branded line of papers, but nobody really knows if those are still currently manufactured, and if so, which ones and in which volumes.

At this point in time, for optical printing as well as professional and advanced amateur digital RA4 printing, I would recommend either DPII or Maxima.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Marc, "Crystal Archive" is the current marketing name for pretty much the entire current big selection of Fuji's RA4 paper. It doesn't imply a single product. The meaning of CAii apparently differs somewhat depending on the specific market and product category. Here in the US, and probably in the EU too, it applies to their limited cut sheet line, but also apparently to certain roll products. But then there are more specific designations of the newer versions of other product, like DPii or Super Cii, which are available in roll form only. Maxima is rather elusive in this country, hard or even impossible to acquire at the moment. Hopefully, Fuji's customer service is less cryptic and opaque in Europe than here.

 

[Samu]

Marc, "Crystal Archive" is the current marketing name for pretty much the entire current big selection of Fuji's RA4 paper. It doesn't imply a single product. The meaning of CAii apparently differs somewhat depending on the specific market and product category. Here in the US, and probably in the EU too, it applies to their limited cut sheet line, but also apparently to certain roll products. But then there are more specific designations of the newer versions of other product, like DPii or Super Cii, which are available in roll form only. Maxima is rather elusive in this country, hard or even impossible to acquire at the moment. Hopefully, Fuji's customer service is less cryptic and opaque in Europe than here.

We have different names for Fuji papers here in Europe. There is no such thing as CA II or Super CII sold in Europe. The cheap paper is known as Crystal Archive, and the mid range paper is called Crystal Archive Supreme. That said, I would agree with Koraks in his suggestion of using DP II or Maxima, which are the "better" papers Fuji offers at the moment. DP II is also widely available.

 

[halfaman]

As koraks said, Fuji Crystal Archive is a family of papers of different kinds and finishes in Europe and it is currently the only reliable manufacturer. I add some possible sources I know of RA-4 sheets in Europe, sizes normally from 20x25 cm (8x10") or 17x24 (7x9") to 30x40 cm (12x16").

- Nordfoto: Fuji Crystal Archive DPII (my favourite) and the crappy plain Fuji Crystal Archive, avoid this one, in glossy and matte finish.
- Macodirect: Fuji Crystal Archive Supreme in glossy and matte finish.
- AG Photograhpic: Fuji Crystal Archive Supreme in glossy and luster (semi-matte) finish, sizes up to 50x60 cm (20x24"). It is in UK, so probably expect an additional 21% VAT import tax to EU.
- Retrocamera: Fuji Crystal Archive (Supreme?) in glossy and matte finishes.
- Fotoimpex: They sell a misterious "Tura" branded paper in glossy finish that seems to have a chinese origin.
- Interphoto Lab: Located in Madrid, they sell Fuji Crystal Archive (Supreme?) in glossy finish only.
- Tomcat Film: Romanian guy, I think he is also a Photrio member, cutting into sheets some limited but unsual selection of papers and sizes (Crystal Archive Maxima or Velvet matte, Fujiflex, Kodak Premier Digital luster).

 

[koraks]

They sell a misterious "Tura" branded paper in glossy finish that seems to have a chinese origin.

It's quite likely to be Fuji paper, though. I don't think any RA4 paper has even been coated in China. And Fuji are certainly prepared to print a different label onto the package.

- Tomcat Film: Romanian guy

Got a link?

 

[halfaman]

Got a link?

Tomcat Film

tomcat.ro

 

[koraks]

Thanks, much appreciated!

 

[DREW WILEY]

There is still some Mitsubishi RA4 paper around. I've never tried any of it. And it's hard to say what a couple of private label brands of RA4 paper being sold in the US actually are, since my own needs are quite specific, and I have no interest in testing them.

Crystal Archive Supreme is the main roll paper being used for machine printing applications in this area, up to 12X18 inch only, having taken over from Kodak Radiance. Koraks already knows this, but I've been using 30 and 40 inch roll widths of the very top of the line Fujiflex Supergloss made in Japan, which is polyester rather than RC paper based. We'll see if it continues to be made or not; but there is reason for skepticism, since they've stopped coating so many films in Japan already. It basically replaced the look of Cibachrome, yet is actually much easier to use, and it would be sad to see a void in that category. But life goes on.

 

[koraks]

They sell a misterious "Tura" branded paper in glossy finish that seems to have a chinese origin.

Coming back to this; I still doubt the Tura paper is Chinese*. However, I previously stated that no RA4 paper is being coated in Chinese, and that statement was incorrect. Lucky does coat RA4 paper, and they are apparently attempting to duplicate Crystal Archive - and failing to do so in critical areas such as print longevity. Prints on Lucky paper may look OK at first, and then will fade like the ones made in the 1970s-1980s...

*PS: It's indeed Fuji. I checked. Currently sold Tura paper is European production Fuji RA4 paper.