Massive differences in paper exposure time

VirtualAdept

VirtualAdept

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Mads
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As you know I'm just starting out developing my own prints, and this evening I used some ancient 8x10 paper that required an exposure of well over a minute and a half, and even then it wasn't quite right...
conversely, I then used some 5x7 paper, thats about as old, and it needed all of 7 seconds.
Is this a normal thing, or a sign of the paper being too far gone?

Thanks guys
 
Were both sizes the same paper type? I know fibre based paper tends to need a lot longer than RC.
 
There could be a few reasons for this:
Paper upside down under enlarger; weak developer; fogged paper; overexposed negatives and/or stopping the lens down too far; and the wrong using the wrong focal length lens, meaning the light source would be further away from the paper. And unter-the-lens filters require an increase in exposure too, as you go up the grades.
 
Last edited:
brianwar said:
Were both sizes the same paper type? I know fibre based paper tends to need a lot longer than RC.
Click to expand...



Yep, both RC papers.
Was fresh developer, paper was definitely up the right way (I did another test to be sure hehe), was the correct lens, hadn't been stopped down any... I think perhaps the larger paper is just too far gone, since when I do get prints on them properly, they're nothing like sharp at all.

I think I'll have to bite the bullet and buy some fresh paper. Any recommendations?
 
Old paper wouldn't be any softer than new paper, I'm sure. But do get someone to confirm that, haha. Might be a good idea to get some cheapy cheapy generic RC paper to test it, eliminate possible faults and all.
 
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