1st tricolor on Masa. Impressions...

[Loris Medici <mail@loris.medici.name>]

Hi all,

I did a quick'n'dirty tricolor test on Masa. See the result below:

http://tinyurl.com/4z24ho

For this one, I used the same sizing method (1%, hardened with formalin),
coating solutions, exposure, development (automatic, 30-40 minutes,
changing water every 10 minutes) ect. I devised for Fabriano Artistico.
The negatives also were the same (curved regarding tests on Fabriano). So
this is quite far from what one can get; later, I should definitely test
for the optimum exposure time and curve for this particular paper...

Coating itself isn't hard, but as you can see in the print (blotches /
unevenness), you must devise a different coating protocol than what you do
with Fabriano. My first impression is that it needs a thinner coating,
because it provides less tooth to the emulsion(!?) - the surface
considerably slicker than Fabriano. Those blotches are due to uneven
coating; where there was more emulsion than what is actually needed, it
ended into the development water. Next time, I will try to dilute the
coating mix with water (as suggested by Keith) in order to thin the
emulsion.

The paper (size = 11x14") didn't cracked during the development stage
despite I wasn't overly cautious or delicate in handling. Probably larger
sizes would require more care and delicacy in handling, to diminish any
possibility of creasing and/or cracking (certainly, but I'm pretty sure
that I didn't got any cracks Katharine suffered, even after soaking the
paper overnight - and I wasn't light-handed).

Katharine, maybe (most probably!) your paper is different than mine
because both Daniel Smith and Jerry's Artarama (my supplier, I got my
paper from them in two batches, about 2.5 years ago and 1.5 year ago...)
list the paper as being 70gsm now, whereas in both of the packs I have on
hands, the paper is clearly labeled as being 86gsm!? If it was one
supplier I would be skeptical, but when more than one supplier list the
paper as being 70gsm, then we should think of different versions and/or
another "update" (which ruins the paper for our purposes) made by the
manufacturer.

An idea (based on a speculation): Something that can be done to get rid of
the cracks, is to try to keep upper side of the paper evenly wet during
long soaks. (Speculation alert!) Maybe uneven wetness is causing the
cracks during development (due to uneven shrinkage / swelling). Therefore,
covering the upper surface with a scap piece of Mylar or Yupo (or similar
material as a moisture and gas barrier) would help keeping the upper side
evenly wet.

Anyway, FWIW, that's all for now. Hope that helps / adds something to you...

Will post other results after working out the optimum parameters.

Regards,
Loris.