Re: POP process

----- Original Message -----
From: <DHTalman@aol.com>
To: <alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca>
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2004 7:16 PM
Subject: Re: POP process

> Hello Shannon,
>
> Thanks so much for responding to my question. You are the
> only one who
> responded Perhaps that means few people use POP paper.
>
> You mentioined Azo paper. From the web, I see that it's a
> paper Kodak makes
> and that it comes in #2 and #3 contrasts. It is glossy?
>
> What can you recall about the problems of exposing the POP
> paper? I recall
> you said that it had been a couple of years since you have
> used it. And also,
> you mentioned that you had problems toning it, What were
> the problems?
>
> Why did you begin to use the POP paper and what made you
> stop using it?
>
> I'll be very grateful for your help.
>
> Donna
> www.donnahamiltalman.com
>
  Azo is not a printing out paper and its characteristics
are not like POP. Azo is a conventional silver-gelatin
paper. According to Kodak the emuslsion is silver chloride.
It is very slow, intended for contact printing using a
printing box of the type common fifty years ago. It can also
be printed using a frame and a light bulb of around 60 to
100 watts at a few feet. Printing time with an appropriate
light source is similar to enlarging paper.
  Azo has a conventional curve substantially the same as
graded enlarging papers. Its Dmax is also about the same, on
the order of Log 1.8 The image color is neutral to slightly
warm. In the distant past Kodak made three general purpose
contact papers and a couple of special purpose ones. Azo was
meant for general use in professional printing. While it has
become a cult paper, probably because it is the last of a
once mighty tribe of contact papers, it really has no
special properties. When developed in Dektol it can have the
slightly greenish tinge many Kodak papers get. In Amidol it
is more neutral in color but Phenidone developers with
Benzotriazole will produce much the same effect. These
include Ilford Bromophen and Agfa Neutol Plus. Currently Azo
is available in grades 2 and 3 and in single weight glossy
only. Long ago it came in six grades and perhaps a dozen
combinations of stock tints, textures, and surfaces, and in
double and single weight. Azo is kept alive by Micheal Smith
and Paula Chamlee who have contracted with Kodak to buy
their minimum quantity to keep it in production. I suggest
you buy it from them. They also have much information on
their web site on its use. They make really wonderful prints
but I am not convinced that equally good ones could not be
made on enlarging paper.
http://www.michaelandpaula.com

---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com