Re: Infrared Printing papers

[George L Smyth <GLSmyth@xxxxxxx>]

Bobbie Doyle wrote:
> 
> On Wed, 2 Oct 1996, Hannu Jarventaus wrote:
> 
> > I use Ilford MGIV and Agfa Multicontrast Premium for most of my IR pictures.
> 
> Are these two papers resin-coated?

MGIV is RC.

> The reason that I ask may sound a little silly. But, I have been trying to
> find a RC paper that will handle the contrasty negs, and also be suitable
> for hand-coloring. I love Ektalure, and I like the way that fiber base
> papers print. But, herein lies my concern.

Well, I doubt you'll find an alternative to Ektalure, I really love that
paper.  However, you may wish to give one of these a try, as I've found
MGIV pearl to be a very nice paper for my IR work.  As they've opened up
the highlight areas, this may make things easier for you.
>
> I am concerned about the environment...and besides worrying about
> disposing of chemicals, I cringe when I have to leave the water running
> for 20 minutes to one hour for fiber-base papers.

Well, I spent many years working for an environmental organization, so I
can sympathize.  If you are willing to put some effort into it, you can
wash fiber prints with very little water.  Place the print in water and
allow it to soak.  Every five minutes pour the water out and refill.  Do
this 12 times (one hour) and you're done.  This washes to archival
permenance.  Also, you can use a washing aid.  I normally place all my
fiber prints in a holding tray until I'm done.  I then pour out the
water and wash the prints in running water for 10 minutes.  I then
PermaWash for 10 minutes, followed by 10 minutes in running water. 
Remember, the water does not - should not - run fast.  Your fixer will
leach out of the print, so the wash water is really just a means of
ensuring that the water surrounding the print is not saturates with
sodium thiosulfate.  It doesn't take much to do that.

george

-- 
 Handmade Photographic Images     
  http://www2.ari.net/glsmyth

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Topic No. 21