Hi everyone,

I've been given a quantity of Agfa 'Brovira-Speed' RC, and understand that this is a 'developer incorporated' paper. Does this affect (or preclude) its development in my 'regular' developers (e.g. Bromophen)? I have given it a go, and haven't noticed any particular problems - and I quite like the tone!

Thanks, David

-- David Szwec (ds@2pi.co.uk), February 25, 2002

Answers

I don't know if Brovira Speed is really a developer incorporated paper or not, but I do know that incorporated developer simply speeds development time in a normal developer--in use, it is no different than any other paper. But I have also heard that developer incorporated RC papers have very poor archival qualities.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edb@unblinkingeye.com), February 28, 2002.

Hey, it's been awhile since I used this paper, but I think the "speed" part refers to a developer incorporated paper in agfa-lingo. Just as the word "rapid" means something similar in Ilfo-speak....Kodak used numerals like Polycontrast III, etc. Developer incorporated RC papers have had some problems in the past, both in regards to the dev. agents separating out in storage prior to processing, or in longevity problems after the fact...sorry, can't rmemember the *exact* scenario...but there's some literature out there about this if you dig enough. The biggest problems I've ever had in this regard were with Ilford MGIII Rapid though.

But, a developer incorporated paper is designed for rapid machine processing mainly--although you can use it in trays or anything really....a processor that uses activation chemistry in the developer, like the Kodak Royalprint machines, were what they were made for....most machines use higher temps now, not activation...so the need for this stuff has decreased a bit. For example, you can run an incorporated or a non-inc. paper in an Ilford processor...not so in some Kodak models....a royalprint can actually process & stabilize the paper pretty fast....you can view it in white light within 20 sec or so...if you like the print, there's a second feed slot to finish processing it....it's like an Ektamatic or Spiratone stabilization processor on steroids....

oh well, that's probably more than you wanted to know...but to answer your question, you should be able to tray process just fine, and probably can get a good print in a minute or less depending on developer & temp. My opinions as always.

-- DK Thompson (kthompson@moh.dcr.state.nc.us), February 28, 2002.

to avoid confusion, I mean you can probably reach full development within that time...the stop, fix & wash and all come on top of that. Hope this helps.

-- DK Thompson (kthompson@moh.dcr.state.nc.us), February 28, 2002.

Does Agfa make graded RC papers anymore? I just used up my last portriga-speed paper, one of my favorites, and can't find it anywhere.

-- John (johnfleetwood@hotmail.com), March 18, 2002.