old ilford paper

[Ole]

Make a print from a "known negative" with filtration that should give the same contrast as you've used before. Do a step wedge, for that matter...

I have some Ilfospeed III that's even older, which has lost contrast in the highlights only. It now has "normal" G3 shadows and midtones, and an extremely long midtone to highlight scale. But there's no sign of fogging.

[fschifano]

OK, can you help me - how do I test that paper?

-Fogging; taking a small slice of paper in total darkness and developed it straight away and then compare the result for undeveloped slice? If no difference = the paper is not fogged?

-Contrast; just checking if I get real blacks and whites to the same paper?

-Anything else?

Run a piece through develop, stop, and fix. Run the other piece only through the fixer. Some papers, and most that I've worked with, will darken upon exposure to light without development so you can't make that comparison without a fixed out piece of paper.

[pmu]

Well, I tested that paper and the results were just super. I am not an expert, but when I compared the results to new agfa and adox papers I used for those same frames the results were just as good. Absolutely no signs of fogging and I got tones ranging from deep space black to brilliantly white...

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?p...970530&size=lg

Do you know when they stopped manufacturing ilford multigrade 3 papers? The seller said that he is really not so sure how old those papers really are - could be around 5-15 years old.

Is it possible to freeze papers? (RC paper tht is.)My fridge is literally now full of papers and films There's no room for food...

[Paul Sorensen]

-Fogging; taking a small slice of paper in total darkness and developed it straight away and then compare the result for undeveloped slice? If no difference = the paper is not fogged?

Make sure you fix the undeveloped slice, but yes, this would give you a good idea on the fogging. As for contrast, I don't know how you can compare it to the paper's original characteristics, but you can easily compare it to fresh paper to see how it holds up.

[Ian Grant]

Afew comments about old papers:

Not all manufacrurers papers age well, however Ilford and Kodak papers do, and Agfa aren't far behind.

Sterling and Oriental papers don't last from my personal experiences, Kentmere well that has to be seen as I have a whole load of 60's/70's B&W paper which came in a job lot with a load of equipment via the internet 5 yrs ago.

I have very useable Ilford papers manufactured in the 70's, I'll be honest and say the emulsion speed has probaly dropped with time and also the contrast - however the papers fine no fogging and capable of producing exhibition prints. The only problem is the papers is all RC which I rarely use.

Have loads of Kodak Fibre based papers which dat back to the early 60's and all still print as expected.

I had amassive clearout a few months ago and tested all the boxes of old paper and was amazed at the results.

Ian

[pmu]

Do you have any idea when Ilford stopped manufacturing/dealing this multigrade III paper? I read many threads here (and photo.net) and the conclusion; ilford multigrade papers don't store well (even if stored in the freezer). At least multigrade IV...not sure about this III. MG IV was introduced ´95 so these papers could be around 8-12 years old and no sign of fogging or loss in contrast. So is there some kind of tactical difference in quality in III and IV papers...(when dealing with older paper that is)?