Black and White Paper Guide
 
 
KODABROME II RC PAPER 
KODABROME II RC Paper is a fast, continuous-tone, contrast-graded, black-and-white enlarging paper. It has developer-incorporated emulsion on a medium-weight, water-resistant base. It is well suited to most general photographic applications such as commercial, industrial, aerial, press, and professional photography. This paper- can also be used in advertising, display, mapping, police, and school applications. 
KODABROME II RC Paper can be processed in trays, continuous processors, roller-transport processors, the KODAK ROYALPRINT Processor, Model 417, the KODAK POLYMAX IR Paper Processor, and the KODAK DEKTOMATIC 65 Paper Processor. 
This paper is available in five numbered contrast grades-1 soft, 2 medium, 3 hard, 4 extra hard, and 5 ultra hard. It is available in F (contrast grades 1-5), 
N (contrast grades 1-5), and E (contrast grades 2 and 3) surfaces in a variety of sheet and roll sizes. 

 
 
FEATURES BENEFITS
  • Incorporated optical brightener
  • Crisp, clean whites
  • Resin-coated, water- resistant base
  • Rapid processing and drying
  • Neutral-black image tone
  • Exceptional print quality
  • Incorporated developing agent

  •  
     
     
  • Rapid activation processing in suitable processors and quick development in conventional tray processing
  • Specially coated on back

  •  
  • Good writing surface and easy interleaving during tray processing

BASE AND SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS 
 
Symbol Texture Surface Base 
Tint
Base 
Weight
F Smooth Glossy White MW
N Smooth Semi-Matt  White MW
E* Fine-Grain Lustre White MW
*Available in contrast grades 2 and 3 only. 

Contrast Grades 
 
With this type of negative:  Use paper with 
this grade number:
High contrast 1
Normal contrast 2
Low contrast 3
Very low contrast 4
Extremely low contrast or line work 5
SAFELIGHT RECOMMENDATIONS 
Use a KODAK OC Safelight Filter (light amber) in a suitable safelight lamp with a bulb of 15 watts or less at least 4 feet (1.2 metres) from the paper. Minimize safelight exposure to avoid unwanted quality changes. Be especially careful if you use other types of safelights. 
Note: Do not use a KODAK OA Safelight Filter (greenish yellow). See KODAK Publication No. K-4, How Safe Is Your Safelight?, for information on safelight testing. 

STORAGE AND HANDLING 
Store paper in a cool, dry place (preferably at or below 70F [21C] and at a relative humidity of 30 to 50 percent). High temperatures or high humidity may produce undesirable changes. Always rewrap unused paper in its original packaging (the outer box as well as the bag) to protect it from light and moisture. Avoid or shield the paper from exposure to radioactivity or x-rays. 
EXPOSURE 
Light Sources 
Expose this paper with tungsten or tungsten-halogen enlarging lamps, cool-white fluorescent lamps, mercury vapor lamps, or cathode-ray tubes. For best results, make test prints for each light source. 

ISO PAPER SPEED AND RANGE 
Machine Processing-Processed in the KODAK ROYALPRINT Processor, Model 417, using KODAK ROYALPRINT Chemicals. 
 
Surface/ 
Contrast Grade
ISO Paper 
Speed
ISO Paper 
Range
F1 P400 R160
F2 P400 R150
F3 P400 R120
F4 P250 R100
F5 P250 R80
  
Tray Processing-Processed in KODAK DEKTOL Developer (1:2) at 68F (20C) for 60 seconds. 
 
Surface/ 
Contrast Grade
ISO Paper 
Speed
ISO Paper 
Range
F1 P640 R150
F2 P640 R140
F3 P640 R110
F4 P320 R90
F5 P320 R60
 
PROCESSING 
Machine 
You can process this paper in roller-transport processors (e.g., KODAK POLYMAX IR Paper Processor or the KODAK DEKTOMATIC 65 Paper Processor) or continuous processors with KODAK POLYMAX RT Developer and Replenisher and KODAK POLYMAX RT Fixer and Replenisher or KODAK Rapid Fixer, Solution A. 
For rapid processing of this paper, you can use the KODAK ROYALPRINT Processor, Model 417, with KODAK ROYALPRINT Chemicals. 

Tray 
Tray develop with continuous agitation at 68F (20C), using the appropriate dilution and development time recommended in the following table. 
 
KODAK 
Chemical
Dilution 
(chemical: 
water)
Time 
(min:sec)
Capacity 
(8 x 10-inch 
Prints 
per gal/L)
Developer 68F (20C)
DEKTOL (powder) 
DEKTOL (liquid)* 
EKTONOL 
POLYMAX T
1:2 
1:9 
1:1 
1:9
1:00 
1:00 
1:30  
1:00
120/32 
120/32 
120/32 
120/32
Stop Bath 65 to 75F (18 to 24C)
Indicator 
EKTAFLO
1:64  
1:31
0:10 
0:10
80/20t 
80/20t
Fixer single bath)# 65 la 75F (18 to 24C)
Non-hardening fixer (for general priming and for toning): 
Rapid Fixer, 
Solution A (do not 
use Solution B) 
1 :7 2:00 100/26 
Hardening fixers (for general printing): 
KODAK Fixer 

POLYMAX T 
Rapid Fixer  
(Solution A and B) 
KODAFIX Solution

paper 
strength 

1 :7 
1 :7 

1 :7 
 

2:00 

2:00 
2:00 

2:00

100/26 

100/26 
100/26 

100/26

Wash 50 to 86 F (10 to 30C) 
- 4:00 -
 *Not available in all countries. 
tDiscard the solution when color changes to a purplish blue. 
 #To increase capacity, use two fixing baths. 
Stop Bath 
Bathe prints for at least 10 seconds at 65 to 75F (18 to 24C) with continuous agitation in KODAK EKTAFLO Stop Bath, KODAK Indicator Stop Bath, or 48 mL KODAK 28% Acetic Acid and water to make 1L. 
With EKTAFLO or Indicator Stop Bath, discard the solution when the color changes to a purplish blue. Change Acetic Acid and water stop bath after approximately twenty 8 x 10-inch prints per litre (eighty 8 x 10-inch prints per gallon). 

Fixing 
Fix prints at 65 to 75F (18 to 24C) with frequent agitation. If you use two fixing baths, fix prints for 1 minute in each bath, draining for 5 seconds between baths. Fix for 2 minutes if you use a single bath. 
Note: Using a hardening fixer makes toning less efficient. For the same amount of processing time, you'll see less of a toning effect. 

Washing 
Wash for at least 4 minutes in running water at 50 to 86F (10 to 30C), interleaving the prints carefully and frequently. 
Note: Avoid prolonged fixing and washing times to realize all advantages of the water-resistant base, and to minimize physical damage, edge penetration, and curl. 

Drying 
Air-dry at room temperature after removing surface water with a clean, lintless blotter or cloth, or a soft squeegee or sponge. You can also dry prints with warm air, or use a dryer intended for resin-coated papers. 
Do not ferrotype prints made on this paper. You can use ferrotype dryers (glazing machines) below 190F (88C) if you squeegee the prints and feed them base side toward the drum surface. 

TONING 
Use KODAK Toners to extend the life of prints that may be exposed to oxidizing gases or subjected to adverse storage or display conditions. KODAK Toners will protect prints whether or not they produce a tone shift. 
For more information on toning, see KODAK Publication G-23, Toning KODAK Black-and-White Materials. It explains the technique of toning, and describes Kodak toners and their effects on Kodak black-and-white papers and films. 
 
 
Processing Tone Shift with KODAK Toners
Full Moderate Slight None
Tray 
(DEKTOL 
Developer)
Brown 
(1 :19)
POLY- 
TONER 
(1:24)
POLY- 
TONER 
(1:4)
Rapid 
Selenium 
(1:3) 
(1:9) 
(1:20) 
(1 :40)
POLY 
TONER 
(1:50)
Sepia
KODAK 
ROYALPRINT 
Processor
Sepia Brown 
(1:1 9)
POLY 
TONER 
(1:24)
POLY 
TONER 
(1:4)
POLY- 
TONER 
(1:50)
Rapid 
Selenium 
(1:3) 
(1:9) 
(1:20) 
(1:40)

 
Characteristic Curves
 
 
 
   
 
 Spectral-Sensitivity Curve 
 NOTICE: The sensitometric curves and data in this publication represent product tested under the conditions of exposure and processing specified. They are representative of production coatings, and therefore do not apply directly to a particular box or roll of photographic material. They do not represent standards or specifications that must be met by Eastman Kodak Company. The company reserves the right to change and improve product characteristics at any time. 
 

 

 
Artzone Index We express our gratitude to * Kodak (Near East) Inc. for giving to us the permission to present the above material. 


Concept and Design by Elias Eliadis 
Copyright © 1998 Black & White Art Zone. All Rights Reserved.  
First published date 15 July 1998  

 

Paperzone Index
 
* Kodak (Near East) Inc.   
P.O.Box 8253, Athens 100 10 Greece    
Tel: +301 6898620 Fax: +301 6898635