Does it still exist ? If I google Ilfochrome it comes up as a product http://www.ilford.com/en/products/il.../front-lit.asp I thought it had been discontinued some time ago. This is the Ciba process I'm thinking of.
Kevin.
Does it still exist ? If I google Ilfochrome it comes up as a product http://www.ilford.com/en/products/il.../front-lit.asp I thought it had been discontinued some time ago. This is the Ciba process I'm thinking of.
Kevin.
Yes, it's not terribly well marketed, and availability can be spotty, but you can still do it.
Yes it still exists. I still use it so I guess I'm somewhat of a dinosaur. I also make digital prints but I prefer the Ilfochromes by a bit for certain chromes. It is expensive as hell now (a 16 X20 runs about $40 for paper and chemistry).
I buy paper from B&H in NY and stop by and pick up the chemistry on the way thru the city. They won't ship anymore. If you're lucky you may be able to order the chemistry by the case from a local photo house.
Both film and chemistry age quickly so for precise work an every six month check on color balance is necessary, (I use a CC filter matrix for this).
There are still a fair number of workers using this material although there don't seem to be many forum members here currently involved. Maybe that's because it's such a PITA to use most people have no time left to fool around with forums.
If you want a personal challenge and some occasionally stunning results I certainly would recommend the material.
Nate Potter, Winter Harbor Me.
I never found Cibachrome or Ilfochrome to be difficult to use. The temperature is easy to maintain and the processing a breeze in the motorized daylight tank.
Originally Posted by Nathan Potter
After fighting with making Dye Transfers for 30 years, Cibachrome (Ilfochrome) was a piece of cake for me. Really beautiful stuff.
I wonder what Christopher Burkett is using these days?
Wilhelm (Sarasota)
Still printing Ilfochrome, according to his website.
OK, so if I should have a mental moment and decide to give it a go, how and where in the UK do I go to get the stuff?
The UK link on the site had no idea what I was talking about when I called. And what is the expected print life of a Ciba?
Kevin
In the UK, even Silverprint no longer stock it but their site says they can get it in a week from the importer. Never tried it myself but have seen prints made with it - beautiful.
Well Ilfochrome is a snap compared to a Dye Transfer process and in its simplest form is easy to use. I was kinda referring to the complication of using masks to control contrast whenever that is necessary.
I think the lifetime for a print may be on the order of 40 years but I'm not sure about what the fade spec is for 40 year life. (0.15D reflection density change)?
My oldest prints, 33 yrs., show no visual density change in RG or B. They've been hung in subdued light continuously. One control print has a tiny patch of archival black mat over the three color areas so I can watch the fading.
Nate Potter, Winter Harbor ME.
Instead of fading, my prints on the (early) Cibachrome have actually darkened just a little, which I can tell because the same prints that were lacquered seem to be still perfect.
Incidentally, a great deal of the need for contrast masking can be eliminated by using Selectol Soft instead of the Ciba kit developer.
Wilhelm (Sarasota)
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