where to get RA4 Chemistry and Paper?

Tim Stapp · Dec 31, 2018

As the title states: Where to get RA4 chemistry and paper for darkroom printing. I just installed a new color head on my enlarger to print family negatives for grand children and siblings from my in law's color negatives. I'm at a loss to find a definitive post on which chemistry and paper to purchase to print 4x6 prints.

Do I have to purchase 4x??? foot rolls of paper or cut down 8x10 sheets? What chemistry?

btaylor · Dec 31, 2018

Look around in the archives, but Unique Photo in NJ stocks Kodak chemistry and papers. Freestyle in Los Angeles has cut Fuji paper and "Silver Pixel" brand chemistry which I use in a roller transport machine, replenished, with excellent results. I guess the logistics on the paper is up to you, buy a big roll of 4" paper (Kodak) or cut up 8x10 sheets (Fuji). I would think the roll would be easier. It's all pretty cheap for the quantities you're going to get. Have fun!

Tim Stapp · Dec 31, 2018

I'd thought about cutting sheets vs rolls. It seems to me that for the 4x6 inch prints, cutting rolls in the dark would be easier: set a stop and go. Drop the paper into a paper safe and good to go.
Looking at the Silver Pixel packaging, I'll have to save a lot of recycled wine bladder/boxes to store 20 liters of each chemical. Good thing it's New Year's Eve , I'll be getting a head start !!!

What are the keeping properties of these??? I'll probably be using them in drums on a Jobo CPE2+.

1kgcoffee · Dec 31, 2018

Go for Kodak paper. Yes, it's in rolls but all brands, Fuji, Konica, Kodak print well on it. Kodak has tested their material with everything. It is easy to cut down in the darkroom. I buy paper either from B&H in new york or expired off of eBay. Super cheap for the quantity you get.

For chemicals it's a little more difficult for those not in the States due to shipping restrictions. Kodak produce the best and by far cheapest chemicals. So go for Kodak if at all possible. I found a Canadian supplier on eBay. But for international customers you may need to use a service such as unisource to import the chemicals. If you're American again B&H or any of the other numerous retailers. You want to buy the ra-4 developer replenisher kit and blix kits separately. You wont be able to use all the chemicals but it's still cheaper than going tetenal or Arista. Good luck

Tim Stapp · Dec 31, 2018

I am in the USA. Unicolor/Photosystems is somewhat local (in Michigan). Freestyle ships photo chemicals, whereas B&H/Adorama doesn't. What can I get from Unique Photo in NJ? I suppose that I should ask them when I eventually order my C41 Kodak chems.

btaylor · Dec 31, 2018

I thought you might be in Michigan. I am pretty sure the Freestyle Silver Pixel chems are from Photosystems (I'll have to check the box), so maybe you can do a local pickup? Shipping becomes a factor because the liquids are heavy. The Silver Pixel chemistry lasts for months if kept from oxygen. I also don't mix the whole 20L, I cut it in half.

Wayne · Dec 31, 2018

Tim Stapp said:
I am in the USA. Unicolor/Photosystems is somewhat local (in Michigan). Freestyle ships photo chemicals, whereas B&H/Adorama doesn't. What can I get from Unique Photo in NJ? I suppose that I should ask them when I eventually order my C41 Kodak chems.

Adorama has shipped them to me within the last 12 months

Tim Stapp · Dec 31, 2018

Wayne said:
Adorama has shipped them to me within the last 12 months

Interesting...I thought that I read here that B&H and Adorama were no longer shipping chemicals? I've been ordering from Freestyle for my B&W chemicals for that reason.

Wayne · Dec 31, 2018

B&H quit but Adorama didn't

RPC · Dec 31, 2018

Wayne said:
Adorama has shipped them to me within the last 12 months

Same here, in fact just a couple of weeks ago.

Wayne · Dec 31, 2018

Says in stock and ready to ship https://www.adorama.com/kkrabfr10l.html

Tim Stapp · Dec 31, 2018

Wow, thanks everyone. I will do a search for the RA4 developer as well,

Tim Stapp · Dec 31, 2018

Looks like they have the developer/replenisher and starter as well.

https://www.adorama.com/kkradrrt.html
https://www.adorama.com/kkrads.html

Is this what else I'm going to need?

Tim Stapp · Dec 31, 2018

Now that that is solved: what Kodak roll paper to print 4x6 prints?

Truzi · Dec 31, 2018

If you're going to cut the rolls yourself, you might consider a wider roll that will let you also cut 5x7 or 8x10 (or whatever) if you ever wish to do so.

MattKing · Jan 1, 2019

Tim Stapp said:
Now that that is solved: what Kodak roll paper to print 4x6 prints?

At the very least, go for 6 inch rolls.
That gives the option of 5x7 or even the very nice 6x8 or 6x9 prints.
An 8 inch roll lets you do 4"x6" prints too - just cut off 6 inches, and print two prints on the resulting piece.

Wayne · Jan 1, 2019

Keeping in mind that with color you have to do your cutting in the dark, or with such a faint safelight as to be very nearly dark.

MattKing · Jan 1, 2019

Cutting stops are your friend!

mshchem · Jan 1, 2019

I would seriously consider finding a Saunders multi print MP 810 easel. Originally these were several hundred dollars. You use different masks. 8 wallets, 4 4x5, 2 5x7s will print on 1 8x10 sheet. These were popular with portrait and wedding photographers. 4x5 can be difficult with 35mm. It's possible to make your own masks to get 3 1/2 × 5 inch prints which was the standard before 4x6 became popular. It does have borders. I like borders. Saunders made several multi print easels one using 16 x 20 paper, everything the same as the mp 810 only 4 times, i.e. 16 4x5s, 8 5x7s etc. These easels made processing a lot easier as most of these folks had roller processors. Usually on the economy jobs ,the customer would cut out the wallets etc. I've had good luck with Fuji's cut sheets, I would still be using Kodak if I could get sheets .
If you are going to cut paper, I would get a roller and a Thomas safelight with the DUC filters, after about 10 minutes in the dark you can see reasonably well and I've never fogged paper, keep a good distance 5 to 6 feet.

Roger Cole · Jan 1, 2019

mshchem said:
I would seriously consider finding a Saunders multi print MP 810 easel. Originally these were several hundred dollars. You use different masks. 8 wallets, 4 4x5, 2 5x7s will print on 1 8x10 sheet. These were popular with portrait and wedding photographers. 4x5 can be difficult with 35mm. It's possible to make your own masks to get 3 1/2 × 5 inch prints which was the standard before 4x6 became popular. It does have borders. I like borders. Saunders made several multi print easels one using 16 x 20 paper, everything the same as the mp 810 only 4 times, i.e. 16 4x5s, 8 5x7s etc. These easels made processing a lot easier as most of these folks had roller processors. Usually on the economy jobs ,the customer would cut out the wallets etc. I've had good luck with Fuji's cut sheets, I would still be using Kodak if I could get sheets .
If you are going to cut paper, I would get a roller and a Thomas safelight with the DUC filters, after about 10 minutes in the dark you can see reasonably well and I've never fogged paper, keep a good distance 5 to 6 feet.

There was a much cheaper plastic Unicolor version. I have one. While the spaces between the prints can be a bit sloppy I've never seen the prints overlap if I'm reasonably careful. I haven't bothered printing color in the darkroom, which I didn't much enjoy anyway, since inkjet became decent quality but in years past I have made quite a few multiple small prints on one 8x10 sheet with the Unicolor easel and it worked just fine.

koraks · Jan 1, 2019

I just bodged a simple cutting rig consisting of a roll holder (essentially a standing toilet roll holder concept) followed by a rotary cutter and a stop (a small piece of wood taped to the table) at the appropriate length. The roll cutter has some guides along the length of the paper to ensure the paper remains at a 90 degree angle to the cutter. While the cutting length isn't very precise, I find it's not very critical; if so desired, the final prints can be cut to size. The whole setup works quite nicely in the dark (I don't trust any safelight with color) and was built from bits and pieces I had lying around.

mshchem · Jan 1, 2019

I am checking online looks like for Kodak Endura paper minimum order is, in 8 inch, 2 x 288 foot rolls, total 170 usd plus shipping. I really want to try Kodak Professional papers. Does anyone know of a seller in the US that sells single rolls? I'm not interested in the Royal consumer stuff .

koraks · Jan 1, 2019

You can try nordfoto on ebay. They're in Germany, but may ship overseas. They cut endura from rolls into sheets and sell the resulting boxes of sheets.

mshchem · Jan 1, 2019

koraks said:
You can try nordfoto on ebay. They're in Germany, but may ship overseas. They cut endura from rolls into sheets and sell the resulting boxes of sheets.

I found Nordfoto, looks like they do offer cut Kodak paper. The only listing I can find is for 8x10 matte surface. Curious if this is the last of the product? Price is reasonable. I sure wish Alaris would provide 8x10 and 11 X14 in lustre and gloss.

mshchem · Jan 1, 2019

I was digging around, found this, I have more junk than I can keep track of. This has a mask for 4, 3 1/2 x 5 inch on one 8x10. I have another that is only 4 4x5 on an 8x10. The fancier mp810 is a lot easier to use IMHO. Best Regards Mike

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