NEW INFORMATION
This product now gives an improved, broader filter gradation with prints, particularly with the hard contrast filtrations, ie grade 4,4.5 and 5.0. The paper speed with this improved product is similar to the previous product, ensuring short exposure times are still generally maintained. A slight increase in exposure times will now be needed for the harder contrast filtrations.
DESCRIPTION
Kentmere VC Select is a high speed variable contrast black and white enlarging paper with a polyethylene coated base. The use of colour filters permits selection of required contrast from a range of grades similar to that of graded papers, with the advantage to the user of reduced paper stock. A neutral image tone and a clean white base combine to give a high quality paper. VC Select is available in Glossy, Satin and Fine Luster surfaces.
CONTRAST CONTROL
Contrast, as a range approximately equivalent to grades 00 to 5, is obtainable from this paper by means of colour filters used in the enlarger. Proprietary filter sets such as Ilford Multigrade or Kodak Polycontrast are suitable, as are modular and automatic enlarger heads featuring proprietary filters; otherwise the magenta and yellow filters of colour enlarging heads may be used. Below are tables of suggested filter values for colour enlargers which can be used as a guide. Filters of colour enlargers from different manufactures fall into three categories as follows:
Durst: Dunco, Durst, Kaiser, Keinzle, Leitz, Lupo.
Kodak: Beseler, De Vere, Chromega, Fujimoto, IFF, Jobo, LPL, Omega, Paterson, Vivita, Simmard.
Agfa: Agfa, Krokus, Meopta.
Table A Shows simply the filter settings for grade selection. Speeds of the grades are not the same.
| Grade | Durst | Kodak | Agfa |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | 120Y | 199Y | 150Y |
| 0 | 70Y | 90Y | 90Y |
| 0.5 | 50Y | 70Y | 70Y |
| 1 | 40Y | 50Y | 55Y |
| 1.5 | 25Y | 30Y | 30Y |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2.5 | 10M | 5M | 20M |
| 3 | 30M | 25M | 40M |
| 3.5 | 50M | 50M | 65M |
| 4 | 75M | 80M | 85M |
| 4.5 | 120M | 140M | 200M |
| 5 | 130M | 199M | - |
Table B shows combined filter settings which can be used if speed matching of grades 0 to 4 is required. Grades 00 and 5 require more exposure.
| Grade | Durst | Kodak | Agfa |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | 120Y/0M | 162Y/0M | 135Y/6M |
| 0 | 88Y/6M | 90Y/0M | 105Y/12M |
| 0.5 | 78Y/8M | 78Y/5M | 77Y/11M |
| 1 | 64Y/12M | 68Y/10M | 67Y/17M |
| 1.5 | 53Y/17M | 49Y/23M | 52Y/28M |
| 2 | 45Y/24M | 41Y/32M | 39Y/43M |
| 2.5 | 35Y/31M | 32Y/42M | 32Y/51M |
| 3 | 24Y/42M | 23Y/56M | 23Y/62M |
| 3.5 | 17Y/53M | 15Y/75M | 14Y/79M |
| 4 | 10Y/69M | 6Y/102M | 10Y/95M |
| 4.5 | 6Y/89M | 0Y/150M | 15Y/154M |
| 5 | 0Y/130M | - | 0Y/200M |
When exposed with no filter, the paper gives a contrast of approximately Grade 2 and is of high speed.
EXPOSURE GUIDE
This paper is designed for use with tungsten halogen light sources. Other light sources may give different contrast values. Exposure of the paper is straightforward, depending on which filter system is in use. For Ilford Multigrade filters, grades 00 to 3 have the same speed (ISO P 250) and grades 4 and 5 require approximately twice the exposure. For the filter settings of table B, grades 0 to 4 have the same speed (ISO P 320). Grades 00 and 5 require more exposure (IOS P 250). When no filter is used, the paper has a contrast of approximately grade 2 and a speed of ISO P 640.
HANDLING & SAFELIGHTS
Open only in a darkroom illuminated by safelights Ilford 904 or Kodak OC containing 15W bulbs or equivalent; red safelights may also be used. The safelights should be at least one metre from the paper at all times and good working practice of keeping exposure to safelights at a minimum should adopted. Unused paper should be returned to its original packaging for storage.
PROCESSING
VC Select can be processed in roller transport machines intended for black and white materials or in dishes. The paper contains developing agent but optimum results can not be obtained from activation process.
DEVELOPMENT
Any general purpose black and white paper developer will give satisfactory results. The manufacturer’s should be followed. Generally about 60~90 seconds at 20℃ will be required.
FIXING
After a brief rinse in water or a 2% acetic acid stop bath solutin, prints should be fixed in any general purpose black and white paper fixer. The manufacturer’s recommendations for time and temperature should be followed. Generally about 3 minutes at 20℃ will be required.
WASHING
The fixed prints should be washed in running water for 3~4 minutes.
LATENT IMAGE STABILITY
Kentmere VC Select has good latent image stability characteristics. This is useful where it is desirable to expose the paper and then process the prints same time later. No noticeable change in the print occurs, even up to 24 hours.
APPLICATIONS
This paper is useful in all applications where graded papers would otherwise be used. Following processing it may be subject to toning treatment, with surfaces of the semi-matt type generally giving more pleasing results.
STORAGE
Store in a cool dry place for best preservation. For prolonged storage a freezer can be used. In either case, allow sufficient time for warming up and do not allow condensation to form on the paper.
