AboutJoe Appel Expertise I can answer questions related to many areas of photography, but most specifically relating to photojournalism. I can also offer advice on using digital and 35mm cameras, Adobe Photoshop, and digital photography in general. Once upon a time I was pretty good in a darkroom too.
Experience I have been a staff photographer for a major metropolitan newspaper group (over 100,000 circulation) for 12 years. Concurrently, I have maintained a freelance photography business.
Organizations belong to National Press Photographers Association
Publications Rolling Stone, USA Today, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Palm Beach Post, New York Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Super Street Bike, Motorcyclist, Sport Rider, Cycle World, Roadracing World, T.W.O. (Two Wheels Only), the ABA Journal.
Expert: Joe Appel Date: 3/12/2005 Subject: enlargment paper
Question Will Kodak polycontrast rc 4 enlargement paper (glossy) produce the same results as a 2 or 3 when developed with the same chemicals made for a 2 or 3 ( I mean are certain chemicals designed for only 2 and 3 and won't develop a 4?)
Also how will the contrast on a 4 differ from 2 or 3? I hope that makes sense. For a class, I was told to get 2 and possibly 3 but I accidentaly picked up 4, I need to know if that paper will work and if not how different will it be from 2 and 3s. This is for black and white photos.
Answer Stephen,
It's been a long time since I printed b&w.
If memory serves, it is the same developer chemistry regardless of the grade of the paper. I think what you're referring to is not polycontrast paper, which is about a grade 3 without filtration, but graded paper which does not work with contrast filters.
Four will be more contrasty than two or three, but then again you may like the results. A way to compensate is to underdevelop your negatives just a little so they are flatter (less contrasty) to begin with. A good black and white printer will do tests to match his film to his paper anyway.
