Stabilization B&W processing.

Hello,

Word is that you can process polycontrast rapid Rc III via a stabilization
processor.
Is this true?
What actually occurs in the stabilization process?
Maybe you could convert it to a RA4 color processor?

Bill


NapperWm

"NapperWm" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hello,
>
> Word is that you can process polycontrast rapid Rc III via
a stabilization
> processor.
> Is this true?
> What actually occurs in the stabilization process?
> Maybe you could convert it to a RA4 color processor?
>
> Bill

I think perhaps you are confusing an activation processor
with stabilization processing. Both are meant for fast
processing times and both use paper with an incorporated
developer.
The stabilization process involves treating the paper in a
stabilizing solution instead of fixing and washing it. The
stabilizer converts the unused silver halides to a form
which is colorless and does not darken for some time,
however, the images are not permanent. Stabilization does
not work well with RC because it depends on the paper base
of conventional paper to act as resevoir for the stabilizer.
Stabilized prints have a life of weeks to perhaps a few
years depending on storage conditions. They can be made more
permenent by subsequent fixing and washing.
RC paper can be fixed and washed so quickly that
stabilization processing offers no advantage.
Activation development requires the paper to have
developer incorporated in the emulsion. Most RC papers do.
The activator is essentially a strongly alkaline solution
with some sulfite in it to prevent developer reaction
products from causing staining. The development is rapid but
the maximum black is not quite as good as with normal
development. When used with activation development and rapid
fixer processing time of RC paper is perhaps no more than
five minutes. With an added infrared dryer the dry to dry
time is only about six to eight minutes.
Polycontrast III RC has incorporated developer so can be
activation processed.
I don't think stabilization processors have enough stages
to do RA-4 but could be wrong.
--

---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
(E-Mail Removed)

Richard Knoppow <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

: "NapperWm" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
: news:(E-Mail Removed)...
:> Hello,
:>
:> Word is that you can process polycontrast rapid Rc III via
: a stabilization
:> processor.
:> Is this true?
:> What actually occurs in the stabilization process?
:> Maybe you could convert it to a RA4 color processor?
:>
:> Bill

: I think perhaps you are confusing an activation processor
: with stabilization processing. Both are meant for fast
: processing times and both use paper with an incorporated
: developer.
: The stabilization process involves treating the paper in a
: stabilizing solution instead of fixing and washing it. The
: stabilizer converts the unused silver halides to a form
: which is colorless and does not darken for some time,
: however, the images are not permanent. Stabilization does
: not work well with RC because it depends on the paper base
: of conventional paper to act as resevoir for the stabilizer.
: Stabilized prints have a life of weeks to perhaps a few
: years depending on storage conditions. They can be made more
: permenent by subsequent fixing and washing.
: RC paper can be fixed and washed so quickly that
: stabilization processing offers no advantage.
: Activation development requires the paper to have
: developer incorporated in the emulsion. Most RC papers do.
: The activator is essentially a strongly alkaline solution
: with some sulfite in it to prevent developer reaction
: products from causing staining. The development is rapid but
: the maximum black is not quite as good as with normal
: development. When used with activation development and rapid
: fixer processing time of RC paper is perhaps no more than
: five minutes. With an added infrared dryer the dry to dry
: time is only about six to eight minutes.
: Polycontrast III RC has incorporated developer so can be
: activation processed.
: I don't think stabilization processors have enough stages
: to do RA-4 but could be wrong.
: --

: ---
: Richard Knoppow
: Los Angeles, CA, USA
: (E-Mail Removed)

Years ago I did use a spiratone stabilization processor with ektamatic paper
and it worked fairly well. I did fix the prints later, and they have lasted.
Some of them are 30+ years old and going strong.

I tried the machine with a developer incorporated RC paper and it worked,
but the prints started turning brown minutes after they exited the machine.
By fixing them right after they exited the machine, I cured that problem.

I soon gave that up since I really wasn't saving any time over conventional
processing for the RC paper.

Ray

--
E. Ray Lemar (E-Mail Removed)