Hello thanx to this site. and for the responce for the earlier questions.

Can somebody tell me th exact adv. of fiber base paper on RC ones? B'com where I am living ( BomBay, India )no fiber base paper is available so I have to work with Illford multigrade RC. Thanx again, shreepad

-- Shreepad (shreepadjoglekar@usa.net), July 30, 1999

Answers

There are serious doubts about the archival quality of RC papers-- they just don't last as long as fiber base papers. In particular, they tend to break down chemically when exposed to light for long periods. I also feel they don't have the same aesthetic qualities as RC, though some might dispute that. If you must use RC papers, you should consider toning them in selenium toner, or using Agfa Sistan, a silver stabilizer product. I understand that Ctein has a new book out that deals with archival longevity--he ran a couple of articles in one of the photo magazines last year on the subject.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edbuffaloe@unblinkingeye.com), July 30, 1999.

I've discontinued use of RC papers because FB prints simply look better. They have deeper blacks and a fuller tonal range. My comparison is between Ilford MG VI-glossy FB and pearl RC. The pearl surface RC is in my judgement the closest thing to unferrotyped FB paper. In the case of Ilford papers, the FB takes selenimum toning well, while the RC papers don't tone well in 20:1 toner.

I used RC papers for a long time primarly because of the short wash times and the paper is flat after drying. But I recently built a new darkroom and picked up a drymount press, so I am better set up to handle the wash times and the uneven drying of FB papers.

So the choice is between easier processing and handling or better looking prints that last longer.

-- Gene Crumpler (nikonguy@worldnet.att.net), July 30, 1999.

This forum is for films, etc, you will see many questions on RC vs. FB in B&W World: printing and finishing.

-- Alan Gibson (Alan.Gibson@technologist.com), July 30, 1999.

Fibre paper does certainly have quite a different lustre in comparison with RC paper. It looks better and it lasts longer. But remember that it can be more difficult to work with. The process takes a much longer time, especially if you want real flat pictures. And if you try to take shortcuts with fibre paper, you will perhaps find that your beautiful photograph has turned yellow after a year or two. I would recommend a good RC paper, like Multigrade IV, especially the pearl surface, for your everyday work and fibre paper only for your very special pictures, those that you want to hang on a wall. Always use fresh chemicals, two fixers, use HCA, wash well and dry them as flat as you can. By the way, I have RC photographs from 1977 and they have not faded yet.

-- Thomas Eriksson (erikz@privat.utfors.se), August 16, 1999.