Is there a similar fiber paper to Adox 110 that doesn't cost quite so much?

[miha]

OK, I think we are in the same place. I too use RC paper sometimes, and when I intend the prints for long-term keeping, I tone with selenium.

I was pursuing the issue only because I was concerned that some of the comments posted were leaving the impression that the stability issues of RC paper are definitively known to have been solved. But at least as far as information that is generally available to the public can tell us, I don't think that's the case.

I, for one, remain skeptical. If I understand the mechanism of action, silver ions can be released by light and temperature. When this happens to FB prints, the ions can escape trough fibres, with RC prints, the ions can't penetrate the PE layer, so they accumulate as metallic silver on the surface. I have seen this silvering-out / bronzing effect on some of my photos, framed and unframed. This doesn't stop me from using RC papers though, but I prefer FB for aesthetic reasons and for the peace of mind alone.

Below is an example of bronzing (metalic silver accumulation?) on a framed RC print, visible as small shiny dosts near the border. Recent papers may be free of these defects but only time will tell...

 

[Erik van Straten]

only time will tell...

I remain sceptical too. That smell ...

I've had the experience that RC paper is not nice to retouch. I use Spotone to mask imperfections on the print, such as scratches and dust that were on the negative in the enlarger and that show up as small white spots on the print. This is horrible to do on RC paper because the dye is not absorbed by the print, but stays on the surface. On an FB print the dye is absorbed by the gelatine and is totally invisible when dry. Much easier to do too.

Erik.