Kodak Polymax Fine-Art Black and White Paper

Kodak Polymax Fine-Art Black and White Paper 

DESCRIPTION

Kodak POLYMAX fine-art paper is a projection-speed, single- and double-weight (SW/DW) black-and-white enlarging paper with a fiber base. This paper is well-suited for commercial, advertising, display, fine-art, education, hand coloring, industrial, photo hobbyist, portrait and restoration applications.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-3 of 3  
[Jun 19, 2003]
stantom
Intermediate

Strength:

Value, surface sheen...Glows!

Weakness:

Getting harder to get in UK...apparrently Kodak have already phased out small sizes.

This is the best all-round neutral/cool paper I have used and I am unable to pick fault. It is very similar to Oriental Seagull VC in terms of its characteristic curve and surface finish. Unlike Ilford MG1V (which has a very dull matt finish if air dried), it has a soft sheen, especially if dry mounted and an incredible luminousity (Like Seagul). It also hold onto highlight detail well when contrast is good throughout the mid tones and shadow. I find this is the problem with MG1V (with my neg dev technique) in that if the mids and shadows are good in contrast, you will be on the verge of losing the highlights. I belive it is hard to seperate this paper and Oriental only that Polyxmax is cheaper!! Super in Eukobrom - Nice cool tones, tho a little less cool than Forte polygrade. However, I prefer it over Polygrade in all respects.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Orinetal Seagul, Ilford MG1V, Agfa Classic (warmer) etc etc

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 08, 2001]
Bob Todrick
Expert

Strength:

Variable contrast
Consistency
Surface finish

Weakness:

None

I'm going to talk about specifically one paper here, the Polymax 'C' surface, which a lot of photo stores don't carry - you may have to special order it.
This is a re-introduction (according to our local Kodak rep) of a surface popular in the 40's. It has a textured surface somewhat like the E surface in the RC papers and is a true double-weight.
It has no detectable 'whiteners'! The finish in the highlights is a rich creame color that is beautifully accented with a white matt. I started using it a couple of years ago when I recieved a test package and it has become my paper of choice for portraiture and nudes, anything where you wish to portray a soft, sensual feeling.
I've found it responds very well to either Dektol or Agfa MC developer. It has such a delicate, one of kind hue, that I've seen no reason to tone other than Selenium at 1/25 for archivallying.

Customer Service

Excellent

Similar Products Used:

Agfa MC Classic FB
Kodak Elite
Forte
All of them over the years.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 24, 2001]
Ken Rowin
Intermediate

Strength:

Great tonal gradation, deep rich blacks

Weakness:

Doesn't age well on the shelf of dealers. Must buy at stores where they do a large volume to ensure fresh stock.

Great paper which I use in 8x10, 11x14 and 16x20. The only problem I ever had with this paper was related to freshness, when I purchased it at a local photo shop that didn't sell much paper - this resulted in grey-muddy prints.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Arista papers, Ilford Multigrade

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-3 of 3  

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