expired RA-4 in cold storage

 > Ilford RA Color paper does not have that good of color
 > to begin with. I tried it new and went humbly back to
 > Kodak after one box. My opinion is they should give it
 > to you as a favor for saying you'll try it !!!

Even the Deluxe polyester stuff? I've read that Ilford's RC RA-4 paper is
just re-badged crap from Mitsubishi or some other company. However the
Deluxe polyester is supposedly manufactured by Ilford in the UK.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: expired RA-4 in cold storage 

"Mike" <nospamplease.DeleteThis@devnull.com> wrote in message
news:pan.2004.04.12.17.43.00.281382@devnull.com...
 >
 > I have the opportunity to buy some expired Ilford Deluxe RA-4 paper
 > (polyester-based) for about 10% of the cost of new stuff.
 >
 > It expired in 1996 and was supposedly cold-stored.
 >
 > Thoughts? Yes, I already googled a bit.


While I've never been shy about a discount price on dated material, I
generally agree with the trend of replies posted:

1. 1996 is so old that you have no idea if it's any good, even if frozen.
The cost of processing chemistry requires a sample be provided and pass
"muster" just to consider any deal.

2. 10% off is no deal at all. That's probably a good deal more than the
full list for the stuff in 1996.

Recommend: test it of pass; if its passes, 50 - 60% off or pass again.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: expired RA-4 in cold storage 

On Mon, 12 Apr 2004 12:43:00 -0500, Mike wrote:

 > I have the opportunity to buy some expired Ilford Deluxe RA-4 paper
 > (polyester-based) for about 10% of the cost of new stuff.
 > It expired in 1996 and was supposedly cold-stored.
 > Thoughts? Yes, I already googled a bit.

I'v never used Ilford paper, so this may be irrelevant.
We use Kodak paper in our processors at work, and they usually have a year
to 18 month shelf life when they get to us.If it is kept cool, in dry
storage, then it is usually good still after 2 years.If it gets even
slightly damp,or kept at over 20degrees, then it goes off in little over 6
months.
I 'inherited' a processor off another site a few months ago, and changed
the chemicals etc to get it running.I left the paper in place as it was
just in date.The resulting pics were pretty poor, with,instead of the pure
white borders, very 'cream' borders.I thought I'd made a mistake with the
dev, so changed that again, and it didnt get any better - the paper was
ruined, the previous operator had obviously left it inside the processor
for months before fitting it(at 40degrees).A new paper roll restored the
quality.
So, no, I'd never recommend old film/paper for general use,unless you know
exactly how it has been stored,but, saying that, if you get a chance to
test it, and its OK, then get some at that price, but dont buy 500 sheets
without testing it!
Alan.

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 >> Stay informed about: expired RA-4 in cold storage 

In article <pan.2004.04.12.18.26.55.491576.DeleteThis@devnull.com>,
Mike <nospamplease.DeleteThis@devnull.com> wrote:

  > > Ilford RA Color paper does not have that good of color
  > > to begin with. I tried it new and went humbly back to
  > > Kodak after one box. My opinion is they should give it
  > > to you as a favor for saying you'll try it !!!
 >
 > Even the Deluxe polyester stuff? I've read that Ilford's RC RA-4 paper is
 > just re-badged crap from Mitsubishi or some other company. However the
 > Deluxe polyester is supposedly manufactured by Ilford in the UK.

I don't recall you stating it was the "Deluxe"Polyester paper. I have not used that
- I think. Like Alan states, I would try it first before buying alot of it. 10% is not
that good of a discount if the paper sucks or is foobared, especially if you are buying
alot and its costing alot.
--
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<<<For best results expand this window at least 6" at 1152 x 768 resolution>>>>><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: expired RA-4 in cold storage 

Randy Stewart <randal RemoveThis @pacifier.com> wrote:
 >
 > "Mike" <nospamplease RemoveThis @devnull.com> wrote in message
 > news:pan.2004.04.12.17.43.00.281382@devnull.com...
  >>
  >> I have the opportunity to buy some expired Ilford Deluxe RA-4 paper
  >> (polyester-based) for about 10% of the cost of new stuff.
  >>
  >> It expired in 1996 and was supposedly cold-stored.
  >>
  >> Thoughts? Yes, I already googled a bit.
 >
 >
 > While I've never been shy about a discount price on dated material, I
 > generally agree with the trend of replies posted:
 >
 > 1. 1996 is so old that you have no idea if it's any good, even if frozen.
 > The cost of processing chemistry requires a sample be provided and pass
 > "muster" just to consider any deal.
 >
 > 2. 10% off is no deal at all. That's probably a good deal more than the
 > full list for the stuff in 1996.


I think he is saying it's 90% off. 10% of the cost of new stuff.

Nick<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: expired RA-4 in cold storage 

The cost of 50 sheets of this stuff at B&H is $98. I'm rolling the dice
and am going to try it for $15 (plus $6 to ship it). I will report my
results.



 >
 > While I've never been shy about a discount price on dated material, I
 > generally agree with the trend of replies posted:
 >
 > 1. 1996 is so old that you have no idea if it's any good, even if
 > frozen. The cost of processing chemistry requires a sample be provided
 > and pass "muster" just to consider any deal.
 >
 > 2. 10% off is no deal at all. That's probably a good deal more than
 > the full list for the stuff in 1996.
 >
 > Recommend: test it of pass; if its passes, 50 - 60% off or pass
 > again.
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: expired RA-4 in cold storage 

On 4/12/2004 8:24 PM Mike spake thus:

 > The cost of 50 sheets of this stuff at B&H is $98. I'm rolling the dice
 > and am going to try it for $15 (plus $6 to ship it). I will report my
 > results.

Sheesh. At that price, the only question is, why not?


--
My coffee was beginning to wear off and with it the momentary illusion
it gives that things are Right and life is Good.

- James Thurber, from the short story _The Black Magic of Barney Haller_<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: expired RA-4 in cold storage 

In article <407B8C24.4040305.RemoveThis@but.us.chickens>, David Nebenzahl
<nobody.RemoveThis@but.us.chickens> wrote:

 > On 4/12/2004 8:24 PM Mike spake thus:
 >
  > > The cost of 50 sheets of this stuff at B&H is $98. I'm rolling the dice
  > > and am going to try it for $15 (plus $6 to ship it). I will report my
  > > results.
 >
 > Sheesh. At that price, the only question is, why not?

Sheesh, David. Look at the time. Don't you ever sleep?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: expired RA-4 in cold storage 

 >The cost of 50 sheets of this stuff at B&H is $98. I'm rolling the dice
 >and am going to try it for $15 (plus $6 to ship it). I will report my
 >results.
 >

The test will be in the borders. Old paper will be cream in color vs a true
white. If this is the case and the cream color is not near the color of
stright yellow, then it will work for borderless prints.

Now combine this with old developer and you get yellow highlights and blue
shadows. Use this result to print a crossed magenta highlight /green shadowed
negative and .....

Larry<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: expired RA-4 in cold storage