Who is making Brilliant Paper these days for Zone VI? Thanks, Pat

-- pat j. krentz (krentz@cci-29palms.com), January 20, 2000

Answers

Combining statements by Calumet sales staff and markings on the boxes of graded paper ("Made in EU (UK)"), it's definitely Ilford for VCIII and, I'd guess, Kentmere for Bromide II.

-- Sal Santamaura (bc_hill@qwestinternet.net), January 20, 2000.

Sal, any documentation other than statements by staff at Calumet would be a big help, I was at Calumet in L.A. wednesday and they had no idea of who made the paper now. I think Ilford is a reasonable assumption, but I would like to know for sure. Thanks, Pat

-- pat j. krentz (krentz@cci-29palms.com), January 20, 2000.

Pat, in my opinion, hard information (not already published) on anything related to Zone VI has become nearly impossible to obtain. I'm not sure what the status of Brattleboro is; last time I did some research, there was still a fax line listed there, but I've not tried sending inquiries to it and don't have the number with me now. The sales staff statement referred to was made by a Calumet Illinois telephone representative in December, while I was trying to determine status on a box of grade 3 Brilliant Bromide II which had been on backorder for a month. While suffering my annoyed questions, he clearly indicated that Ilford does make VC Brilliant for them, but not the graded. Since my box of paper arrived - - after a total of six weeks - - marked "Made in EU (UK)," I assume it must be from Kentmere. By the way, that box had a number of sheets which contained debris in the paper base.

-- Sal Santamaura (bc_hill@qwestinternet.net), January 21, 2000.

The current fax number for Zone VI in Brattleboro is (802) 257-5165. Please let us know if you get any response from inquiries sent to it.

-- Sal Santamaura (bc_hill@qwestinternet.net), January 21, 2000.

I recently purchased Brilliant II graded paper from Calumet and have not been pleased with the way it tones in selenium. A blotchy brown- red precipitate forms over the emulsion surface only in a matter of minutes, rendering the prints completely unusable. What a waste of time in the darkroom. I have always used the same archival fixing/toning sequence for other papers (Brilliant and Ilford Galerie) without any problems. I use a 2 bath non-hardening fix, followed by selenium toning in Heico Perma-Wash diluted 1+20 for 10 minutes, followed by a rinse in Heico, followed by washing in an archival Zone VI print washer. The red-brown blotchy precipitate that forms is not like the reddish tone that paper takes when toned excessively in selenium. Any thoughts? I am ready to switch back to Ilford Galerie. Calumet never returned my phone call--great customer service!

-- Mark J. Schaefer (mjmjschaef@aol.com), March 08, 2000.

BRILLANT PAPER IS MADE BY BERGGER IN FRANCE. LOOK AT WWW.BERGGER.FR. THE NAME IS NOW PRESTIGE.

-- Pierre ZELER (pierre.zeler@dcc.laposte.telepost.fr), March 09, 2000.