Agfa Viradon (new)

[Rob Archer]

I've just bought a bottle of this toner. It seems to ba a re-formulation of an older product. Obviously I plan to experiment but has onyone out ther any tips/experience with it. The only info (apart from the pack instructions) is that it stinks!. In particular:

*Which papers work well with it ?(I currently use Ilford MGFB, MGWT, Fotospeed Legacy & Kentmere Art Classic

*Does it really smell that bad?

*Does it work well with other toners/bleach etc?

Any info valued!

Rob

 

[photomc]

Rob,
It works great with warm tone papers..MGWT, but less change with MGVI - not worked with the others (though it does a very nice job with Agfa MC111).

Yes!!! It does smell bad, I take it outside to tone with.

I have used it with KRST and like the results.

I would suggest picking up Tim Rudman's Toning book to get more information..it is a Great Book.

BTW - I really do like this toner.

 

[ann]

Unfortunely it is a re-formulation of a polysulphide based tone with selenium. I don't know if the new version contains selenium. You will have to check the label. (but i don't think so)
Yes these toners do have a strong odor.
They will have a stronger shift on warmtone papers and if you are looking for rich brown tones definitely use warmtone papers , the use of warmtone developer may enhance the tone
Be sure the prints are fixed in fresh fixer and washed carefully.

have a "stop bath " on hand as toning will continue when washing. You can use a 10% sodium sulphite bath, or HCA (this is used after the toning)
If you are going to use this as an indirect toner be prepared for a loss of density; just increase exposure, if direct toning, there may or maynot be a loss depending on the paper.
You can use other toners after, i.e.gold.
Use at 1:24. or test out other dilutions. It is up to you. These toners seem to increase strength with higher dilution ratios and need to be watch carefully as they will continue to tone with washing.
It sounds more complicated than it is, have fun and experiment.

Check out Tim Tudman"s book on Toning for more indepth information.

 

[john_s]

New Viradon was invented by Agfa's accountants. They left out the only expensive ingredient (selenium).

The toning is slow for quite a while and then progresses rapidly. A sodium sulphite (sulfite) bath is used as a stop, and it also helps clear the yellow solution from the paper.

 

[Adrian Twiss]

I used the old Viradon for a while. Yes it stinks to high heaven.

It tones quite quickly when using Agfa's dilutions but when diluted 1:100 exhibits the following characteristics. These results were obtained using Ilford MG Warm Tone.

• 30 Seconds - no colour change in the highlights or mid tones but a hint of plummy brown in the shadows
• 45 Seconds - still no change in highlights or mid tones but stronger colour shift in the shadows
• 60 Seconds - very defiite colour change in the shadows and subtle changes in the mid tones. Hightlights still unchanged
• 90 Seconds - shadows now strongly toned and mid tones show marked colour shift.

 

[Scott McFadden]

I only just finished toning some agfa multi in it and at the recommended dilution.
48 sec a subtle shift in the shadows.
1.40 mins in is a very nice warm shift.
pass 5 and you'll soon see a muddy orange colour.

I also tried (on a reject print) putting into a fix after but that only wrecked the old fixer. The rust that my drying rack left on it was also affected and went greenish.