Ultrafine VC RC Paper

I have what seems to be an anomalous situation with some Ultrafine VC RC paper. It has been sitting around for a while, but I am finding that even at Grade 1, it produces very contrasty prints. It is almost like the low contrast layer has desensitized. Has anyone ever experienced this before? I am used to the opposite - older paper losing contrast with age.

newcan1,

What developer and dilution are you working with?

The different emulsion layers in VC paper don't actually have different contrasts - they have different sensitivities. The paper and filter/light source combinations achieve different contrast on the paper by adjusting how the tones add together.
Ultrafine sells a few Graphic Arts products which are designed to give stark blacks and whites. Is there any chance you either have a properly labelled product that is different than you think, or a box with incorrect product in it?

i have been using a box of vc photo warehouse rc paper from IDK 13 years ago
not too contrasty, i use it for paper negatievs processed in dekto 1:2 or caffenol c with 15cc dektol/L

RSalles said:

newcan1,

What developer and dilution are you working with?

Click to expand...

Dektol 1:2

Newcan1,

I'm in the third batch of the same paper as yours, 5x7 and 8x10. Two y.o. and no problems whatsoever, using Dektol 1 1/2:1 and ANSCO 130 1:1.
How does the same neg prints in another grade#2 or VC filter equiv. paper? Normal? If your paper is not too old, you can always drop a line to the Ultrafine customer service, telling them what's happening (with batch number, etc.).
I use this paper and Adorama RC VC for fast prints, some proofs and contact sheets. For more serious work I prefer Ilford Gallery or MG Warmtone.

HTH,

Renato