Paper Life?

[Kim Coxon]

I needed some extra room in the fridge for some film and so have to have a clear out. I have the following (all 10 x 8)

1 new sealed box Ilford Multigrade III RC Deluxe Glossy (100 sheets)
1 nearly full box Ilford Multigrade III RC Deluxe Pearl (100 sheets)
1 pack 25 sheets Kenthene VC Glossy (sealed)
1 pack 25 sheets Agfa Multicontrast Glossy (sealed)

I am not sure just how old they are but they have been kept in the fridge. I suspect they are about 10 years old. Are they likely to still be any good or is it just worth throwing them in the bin?

I doubt I will use them so if anyone in the UK wants them for the postage, they are welcome to them. Sorry but I don't think it is worth sending them elsewhere due to the postage cost.

Kim

 

[varjag]

Kim, RC papers are relatively short-lived, but give them a try. Fiber papers on the other hand can last ages: I have a pack of 1976 Bromportrait that prints beautifully without perceivable fog.

 

[owenreading]

Hi Kim, I've just started printing in the last couple of months and I'd be happy to take them off your hands and test them out. I seem to be going through paper quite quickly... Damn, it's far too much fun. Send me a PM to sort out the details.

 

[nikon_sam]

I don't know if this will help but I have some Kodak Ektalure K paper that's date 10/85 and it's still good although I do use it with negs that are only worthy of it...
Your stuff should be good too...

 

[ChrisPlatt]

RC papers are relatively short-lived.

Please elaborate.

Chris

 

[Ororaro]

Please elaborate.

Chris

They all have an expiry date. Resin coat is not like th ereal thing altough much much easier to work with and wash!

 

[ChrisPlatt]

They all have an expiry date. Resin coat is not like th ereal thing altough much much easier to work with and wash!

Yes, I had a darkroom starting around 1980 and have used both types.
I'd like clarification of the comment that RC papers have a short life.

Chris

 

[Ororaro]

Yes, I had a darkroom starting around 1980 and have used both types.
I'd like clarification of the comment that RC papers have a short life.

Chris

I've googled "RC papers have a short life" and came up with many interesting results right on the first page. I'm not sure what you're after, Mr. threadkiller.

 

[Kin Lau]

All of the google results seem to be talking about prints rather than the life of unexposed paper.

I'd like to see some info on the storage life of unexposed RC paper as well.

 

[varjag]

Please elaborate.

When I printed in wet darkroom, I often picked up paper lots at fleamarket and from newspaper classifieds; also got some packs with darkroom kit from my father-in-law. Every pack of RC that was well past expiry exhibited strong fog, which in some cases I could offset with a drop of KBr in developer but in most cases it wasn't worth it.

A friend of mine got hold a lot of Kodak RC some 8 years past expiry: it was fogged.

Old fiber paper in most cases turned out just fine. Two decade old barita is in my book worth giving a try, while I'd be inclined to send a pack of RC of same age right to waste bin.

However, since my opinion was based on personal experience, I did include "..but give it a try" part in my original reply. Which should read just as that, "I'm rather doubtful that it will work and wouldn't bother, but it's your paper so give it a try".

None of this would be a concern if you always use fresh paper in your process, or not too long (a couple of years?) past expiry, especially if cold-stored.

 

[fidget]

As a newbie, people gave me their old paper for me to "play" with in my darkroom. It wasn't fun. Some of the paper may have been good enough, but any idea of consistency in my process went out the window, with me not knowing what was going wrong.
If you're just starting in printing, think about buying a stock of nice fresh paper and get used to its properties.
I believe that trying out old paper is for workers who have enough experience to know when the paper is letting the process down.
Dave.....

 

[owenreading]

I see your point. I do have a big box (100 sheets) of Ilford MGIV 8x10 already, which I'm happily printing my way through. If it's duff it's duff, and I'll put it down to experience. Luckily I'm not paying for chemicals (rented darkroom with an Ilfolab machine) so it's only time I'd be wasting.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I've googled "RC papers have a short life" and came up with many interesting results right on the first page. I'm not sure what you're after, Mr. threadkiller.

Some discussion of the statement(s) made, and some data to support it might be a good start.
For instance you mention expiration date. For two boxes of paper manufactured at the same time,
one fiber, one non developer-incorporated RC, how do the expiration dates compare?

Chris

 

[jan normandale]

Some discussion of the statement(s) made, and some data to support it might be a good start.
For instance you mention expiration date. For two boxes of paper manufactured at the same time,
one fiber, one non developer-incorporated RC, how do the expiration dates compare?

Chris

This is Kims thread offering paper. Perhaps a discussion of expired paper would be best in the "darkroom" forum?

 

[ChrisPlatt]

This is Kims thread offering paper. Perhaps a discussion of expired paper would be best in the "darkroom" forum?

Yes of course. Sorry, we didn't mean to hijack the thread and bury Kim's generous offer.
I have no objection to the mods moving the rest of the thread to the darkroom forum.

Chris

 

[Pablito]

old RC paper tends not only to fog but to lose contrast if it's variable-contrast. I've seen old Ilford Multigrade take on a pinkish cast when it's old.

 

[Kim Coxon]

This is in the darkroom forum. 😉

In any case it is an interesting discussion and I have certainly learnt something. The main reason for the post was that I was aware of the effect of using outdated film that had hed kept cold or refrigerated but not paper so most of the discussion is very relevent. 😉

Kim

This is Kims thread offering paper. Perhaps a discussion of expired paper would be best in the "darkroom" forum?

 

[ddutchison]

Actually, there are 2 kinds of RC papers.

Actually, there are 2 kinds of RC papers.

There may be an unrecognized apples v.s. oranges debate going on here 😱

Many RC papers are just the same as their fiber-based counterparts except for the support for the emulsion. There should be no major difference in shelf life between these and fiber based papers. I have 5 year old Multigrade RC that prints fine.

The problem comes with developer-incorporated RC papers (Ilford RC Rapid being one example). These have developing agents in the emulsion which are activated by moisture. They develop very fast in the tray (and I believe could also be developed in stabilization printers). These do have a short shelf life since they will self-develop given enough time and/or humidity.

Hope this clears things up.

Kim, you need to do a bit of research to derermine if Multigrade RC III was a D.I. paper. I know MG IV isnt.