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From: kanner@tymix.UUCP (Herb Kanner)
Newsgroups: net.rec.photo
Subject: Re: darkroom paper
Message-ID: <414@tymix.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 9-May-85 15:35:50 EDT
Article-I.D.: tymix.414
Posted: Thu May  9 15:35:50 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 17-May-85 01:18:22 EDT
References: <2720024@acf4.UUCP> <661@asgb.UUCP> <77@harvard.ARPA> <117@brand.UUCP>
Reply-To: kanner@tymix.UUCP (Herb Kanner)
Organization: Tymnet Inc., Cupertino CA
Lines: 42
Summary: 

In article <117@brand.UUCP> barad@brand.UUCP (Herb Barad) writes:
>> I too use the method of printing first on an RC paper before going with
>> a fiber paper. Not only is it easier, but it is cheaper as well.
>> 
>> -- 
>> ----------------
>>   Marty Sasaki			net:   sasaki@harvard.{arpa,uucp}
>
>I don't understand how you can "learn" to print a negative on RC and then
>print it on fiber paper.  The different papers have different
>characteristics and will not at all give the same results.  As soon as you
>get the print you want on RC (if that is possible), you will not get the
>same on fiber paper.

For your consideration:

I make a contact proof print of 36 exposures on one sheet of RC glossy.  If
examined with a magnifying glass, it is good enough for partial evaluation.
The proof printer is a Patterson, which has a high-quality glass plate, not
a crummy plastic one, and that makes a tremendous difference.  The prints
are not big enough to judge sharpness, but one can judge things like facial
expressions, posture, etc.  I then tick mark those in which I am
interested.  Next, I go into mass production mode and print that subset on
RC paper, 8 x 10.  I am now using Polyprint; formerly used Polycontrast
Rapid.  In this mass production exercise, I do pay attention to framing and
cropping, so the degree of enlargement varies.  Having put into a
programmable calculator the formula for exposure ratio as a function of
distance from film to easel, I am not in the dark (no pun intended) as to
the exposure required when I change magnification.  If and when I have a
few negs that are worth mounting on a board and hanging on the wall, I go
into a session using fiber paper.  I like to go to 11 x 14, but that has
the disadvantage that you run out of wall space a hell of a lot faster than
with 8 x 10.

I agree, papers are different, and any effort spent on getting the best
possible print on RC for a given neg does not help when I move to fiber.  I
consider the RC prints just another step in the selection process and a way
of getting prints quickly for a sentimental look-see once a year or for
giving away.
-- 
Herb Kanner
Tymnet, Inc.