New paper from Fuji ??

[roteague]

My printer, West Coast Imaging, recently starting advertising a paper called "Fujiflex Crystal Archive Supergloss" for their color prints. As the name implies, this paper is Super Glossy because the base material is a polyester plastic base, similar to that used with Ilfochrome prints.

I have not seen this particular paper before and was wondering if it was new.

[Eric Jones]

It has been around for a few years but not talked about to much. Like you said, it is on a polyester base and is super glossy. The color and contrast is comparable to Fujicolor Crystal Archive Type CDII. It has the "look" of Ilfochrome in being Super Glossy but does not have the "look" of being super saturated. At $15 for a self-serve 8x10 give it a try, it may be something you or your customers might be looking for.

[rjr]

Robert,

I don´t know if this specific paper is new, but RA4 papers on a polyester base aren´t a new thing, they have been around since the early days of RA4 and are available from most companies making standard RA4 papers.

A long gone german company -Argenta in Munich- once even coated a variable contrast bw emulsion on polyester... but they had not much time left until they finally opened the window blanks in the emulsion plant.

[jd callow]

Fuji has for years, made a poly. paper called Fuji flex. It is branded as a CA material. It is extremely glossy and slightly more saturated and contrasty than CA type C. Kodak has its own variant called Endura Flex. Kodak's is on par with their Ultra line, again with a bit more contrast and saturation.

Is Fuji Flex the same as what WCI is pushing? I don't know, but sounds like it could be.

Ilford had at one time a paper (as I recall it was paper) called Supergloss that was very similar.

Bmac has a couple images of mine on either Fuji or endura Flex (and jorge is about to receive one). If he is about he could give you an opinion.

I think the Flex material is competitive with a ciba in appearance. It is in my mind and to my eyes the sharpest colour material available. It is easily scratched and looks down right stupid when used with the wrong subject.

[tim atherton]

By far my favourite film is Astia and/or Astia 100F

in many circumstances, much more like a neg film that's actually a transparency film - if you see what I mean. More shadow and highlight detail than most other tranny films I've ever used. More subtle colours than Provia (which has to be the ugliest film out there), but not the "washed" out look I get from the E100 films. Available in 10 and 50 sheet boxes for 8x10 I think

[tim atherton]

okay ignore that - somehow my browser jumped posts/subjects