[APML] Interesting darkroom papers for astrophotography

[Rick Thurmond <thurmond@saber.net>]

Hi, I'm new to the group, so I'm not sure if this has been discussed 
before.

I've been experimenting with some unusual darkroom paper for 
astrophotographs.

Kodak metallic paper is very nice, it adds a glow to nebulae that 
catches your eye.  Similar contrast to Ultra III.  Not too expensive, 
either and it uses RA chemistry.

If you take slides (I recently started shooting E200) Ilfochrome Classic 
is stunning.  This is the material that used to be called Cibachrome, 
and it can be processed in a home darkroom (like a Jobo CPP-2) using P30 
chemistry.  I find that the combination of E200 and Ilfochrome produces 
pictures with very black skies and high contrast subjects.  The pictures 
at the top of my list at http://www.saber.net/~thurmond/astrophoto.html 
roughly approximate what can be done with this paper, but the actual 
print is far better than my scanner can reproduce.  They also have a 
transparency film for backlighting that I haven't tried yet.

Duratrans is giving me problems with my Jobo processor.  There are 
streaks of blue dye or ink left after developing, visible from the back.

And finally, good old Polaroid.  Interesting film, if you need a quick 
picture onsite.  More information is in 
http://www.saber.net/~thurmond/polaroid.html

Assuming anyone still does wet photography.

--Rick


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