Nigel Smith
(K=3834) - Comment Date 5/19/2004
|
If you're starting out, RC... because of ease of handling (won't rip while you're trying to fish it out of a tray), washing (not much) and drying (drys flat).
|
|
|
|
Oliver Racz
(K=169) - Comment Date 5/19/2004
|
Definitely RC in the beginning. It requires much shorter fixing, washing and drying times, and is easier to handle.
|
|
|
|
ann clancy
(K=2014) - Comment Date 5/19/2004
|
I would second the suggestions of both the above individuals.
john sexton has a great comparison between the two; "The difference between RC-paper and fiber-based paper is the same as the difference between vinyl and leather." -John Sexton
|
|
|
|
Pim de Ruijter
(K=2170) - Comment Date 5/19/2004
|
I agree to the posts above. RC is very easy to handle, and to print on. I think that Fibre needs more feeling for the technique. After a year of using RC I started with Fibre, and I don't regret it, it has a very nice mood :). But I don't print all my photos on Fibre, for a fast print, just use RC, it spares time whit the bads and washing/drying.
|
|
|
|
Harvey Guikema
(K=313) - Comment Date 5/21/2004
|
If you are following an archival process, fiber is definately better. It is more difficult to work with, and needs more equipment, however, if you work with it exclusively, it will become second nature. The question becomes what do you wish to do with your images?
|
|
|
|
Giuliano Guarnieri
(K=36622) - Comment Date 12/2/2004
|
How many time do you dedicate to dark room?
RC is very easy to be worked (washed and dried), if you need to archive them for long long time you can at least wash in a Selenium bath ( supplied by Kodak)
The tones are usually a little bit more contrasted than FB paper
FB usually have a more soft and detailed range of tones and sometimes is the only one accepted in the galleries.
If you want to use FB you need 30-60 minutes of washing and 1 night to dry them. You need also some time to press them in order to flat them.
At the end RC is nice easier to be hadled and worked but FB have a far better result (but you need more time :-( )
Hope this can help you.
Bye
Giuliano Guarnieri
|
|
|
|
Andy Jones
(K=536) - Comment Date 6/8/2005
|
RC paper is much more convenient, but FB paper looks and feels much better. I tend to proof print all my images on RC (cheaper and quicker) and then any images that I want to take further I'll print them on FB.
Previous posts have mentioned the L O N G washing times for fibre based papers. This is true, but you could follow Ilfords archival procedure which cuts the washing down. As far as I can remember it goes something like this:
? Fix in rapid fixer 1:4 for 1 min
? Wash for 5 minutes in running water at 20 degrees
? Bath in Ilford Washaid for 10 minutes
? Final Wash for 5 minutes in running water at 20 degrees
|
|
|
|
