Nice paper, but the surface is quick to mar. Does it make sense to fix with a non-hardining fix, then tone, followed by a hardning fix? Will a hardning fix even have an effect on the surface of this paper? Anyone have any experience with this?

R.

-- ricardo (ricardospanks1@yahoo.com), December 18, 2001

Answers

Ricardo, I had the same problem with Polymax Fine Art C. I tried using a hardening fixer, ie Kodak Fixer (the powder that has been around for years). Unfortunately I found no advantage to this. The paper (base, emulsion & surface) is very fragile. I have since switched to Forte Polywarmtone Plus F. The emulsion is more robust and I can get a richer black. BTW I'm using LPD 1:4 with both papers. God luck. RO

-- Robert Orofino (minotaur1949@iopener.net), December 18, 2001.

Thanks Robert. I had a feeling a hardning fix wouldn't help the Kodak paper much. I've used the Forte Warmtone Plus and it is a beautiful paper. Unfortunately, it's quite expensive and doesn't come in a semimatt or pearl surface. I don't understand what Kodak is doing with their B&W papers. Are they the only major manufacturer that doesn't make a real chlorobromide warm tone paper?

-- r (ricardospanks1@yahoo.com), December 19, 2001.

Mc Kodak's shall soon be the only major manufacturer that doesn't make ANY kind of B&W paper...

-- George Papantoniou (papanton@hol.gr), December 21, 2001.