> The best > large films I know for
alternative processes are Sep Neg 2 and Gravure Positive. > We seem to be
only able to get GP in 10 x 8 now, and Sep Neg, ideal as a large > format
film for platinum, is now very expensive. Our last box of the big stuff >
cost over six hundred pounds. What ideas do you have as a substitute.
Currently > I am working with some Dupont CCN 7 16 x 12 (use before August
1980) which > gives beautiful results with careful exposure and
development, and Typon graphic > arts film which is heavy estar base and
continuous tone and still in production, > but only just. > > What other
continuous tone films are available? I develop lith or line film in > PQ
Universal at 1 : 20 which gives continuous tone but not with the quality
of > the real thing > > Terry.
Terry: There is a continuous-tone graphic arts film called Agfa N31P,
blue-light sensitive, red-light safe, most readily available 30 by 40
centimeters (11 and 13/16th inches by 15 3/4 inches). Very nice, used with
Dektol 1:10, tho it responds to lots of other developers.
I'd bought it from a local graphics art dealer who about a year ago told
me it had been discontinued, tho it was still available in Europe (made in
Belgium), and apparently through Palladio. Then a fellow subscriber
mentioned to me that a student of his had bought it recently. Dealer
confirmed it is once more available.
Being a notoriously rash person I then did rash thing -- called Agfa in
this country. Be advised: Agfa is now a division of Bayer, and a wise
business decision that was -- you try to get around the Agfa telephone
tree and, bingo, you need aspirin. However, by dogged determination, I
found out the following:
N31P had indeed been discontinued, but now is re-continued. Agfa, the man
explained, only wants to make things in BIG lots. But it seems they found
there was still a market for this film, albeit not big enough for them to
manufacture it. So they found film made by ANOTHER company (any ideas??),
which is very similar, and are marketing that as N31P.
The blue sensitivity, by the way, is officially 370nm to 460 nm. The
official developer is G101C, which is a rapid access concentrate, comes in
5-gallon lots. But, as noted, Dektol 1:10 was fine for soft positives. For
greater contrast add whatever -- sodium carbonate? hydroquinone? Or use
D-19. Or look under "high-contrast developers." Film-strength fixer.
To get N31P in the States, call Arkin-Medo at 212/686-8805.
Cost is $159.75 for 50 sheets, plus shipping.
As for lith film, Terry, I'm pretty sure you can get it just as good, or
almost just as good, as regular con-tone (it sure looks that way on my
21-steps). And the cost is $1 per sheet for 12x18 as opposed to $3+ for
the slightly smaller N31P (and even more for other types of con-tone
film, as we know). Certainly makes a big difference for students. Plus lith
film is available up to 20 by 24 inches, at least in this country.
Try brush development for the lith film (using brush in the tray), which
fills in the darks more evenly. Dektol 1 to 7 to 1 to 15, Sam Wang does
D-76, or mix a soft-working glycin developer. And if I get down to
business & finish it, that's one of the things I describe in "my book."
Judy