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Alternatives to Photo-Flo?

Sistan relies on the rapid reaction of sodium thiocyanate with silver and silver halide for its use. There may be other ways to achieve this. I'm quite familiar with the chemistry of the whole thing.

There may be alternatives.

PE
 
Photo-Flo Substitute (from Dignan Newsletter)

Propylene glycol ....................... 250 ml
Triton X-100 .......................... 75 ml
Distilled water to make ................ 1.0 l

Method of Preparation

Thoroughly mix the propylene glycol and the Triton X-100 together. With
gentle stirring slowly add the water, continuing to mix until a uniform solution
is achieved.

Usage

Add 5 - 10 drops of wetting agent to each 8 ounces of water. Rinse the film
briefly in this solution and hang up to dry.

Chemicals available from The Chemistry Store. I have omitted the Antifoam B which was originally called for since it is hard to obtain. It is really unnecessary if you are careful not to use too much of the concentrate. The Antifoam B is the ingredient in Photo-Flo that leaves the greasy film when you use too much.
 
A one gallon bottle of Photo flo 600 from B&H is $38.00. It will make between 600 and 1200 gallons depending on dilution (3 times the concentration of Photo flo 200) At my rate of usage that will last me about 60 years.
 
Oh yes, that's what I forgot to say about, loch in kop - I use Ilfotol 1+200 made on distilled water with my films and prints all the time, and the resullts are very very good!! That's what I would recommend to anyone, Ilford Ilfotol!

Simon R Galley said:
I use ILFORD ILFOTOL

But I am Simon from ILFORD Photo/ HARMAN technology ...so I would
Click to expand...
 
I use Adolux Adostab, a Agfa Sistan clone. Very pleased with it.
 
I use the Sprint wetting agent (End Run) - Much like photo-flo the mixing ratio is so small a liter will last you effectively forever...
 
MrclSchprs said:
I use Adolux Adostab, a Agfa Sistan clone. Very pleased with it.
Click to expand...

And I will use it in the future. My Sistan has turned a light orange, so I wouldn't dare to use it for film or important prints other than PE. I'm planning to order Adostab from Fotoimpex together with some other stuff soon.

We have very soft water, so I only need to use a few drops of wetting agent after rinsing the film. Never had problems with drying marks. I bought a liter of a swedish brand (Stena) a couple of years ago, and filled my little 100ml drop bottle only two times during the last five years. When I was about to refill it the other week, I noticed that the 1 liter bottle had crumpled a bit, dried and cracked. I trashed it and ordered a fresh bottle of Kodak Photo-Flo. I still haven't checked the shelf under my darkroom sink. There's probably a lot of sticky or dried goo there, but as long as I'm not sure I don't have to clean it up. :munch:
 
i have to say that once i bought a bottle of ilfotol and the product was not as good as my usual standard, tetenal mirasol, or the others i used, agepon and photo flo, even when mixed with a bit of isopropylic alchool that seems to improve the action of these surfactants. I am trying to formulate a good wetting agent from raw chemicals, something like tetenal mirasol, i´ll post the findings.
 
Are some of you using photoflo on prints?

I'm woefully uninformed to this usage and would appreciate any comments along with what processes/type prints it is recommended for if at all.
 
brucemuir said:
Are some of you using photoflo on prints?

I'm woefully uninformed to this usage and would appreciate any comments along with what processes/type prints it is recommended for if at all.
Click to expand...

PhotoFlo is for film only.

Steve
 
Yea, that;s what I always thought.

Must've misread some posts where I thought someone said prints.

edit: seems the print references were with regards to the Sistan.
 
hello

i have used sistan and also wetting agent in prints, especially in shiny rc paper hung to dry, it eliminates most of drying marks, and i see no reason not to use it on paper if it serves a purpose.
 
Simon R Galley said:
I use ILFORD ILFOTOL

But I am Simon from ILFORD Photo/ HARMAN technology ...so I would
Click to expand...

Do I detect a hint of bias to the home product here

(BTW I use Ilfotol as well. A litre pack is probably going to last me quite a while at the recommended dilution of 5ml/litre in final wash)
 
Simon R Galley said:
I use ILFORD ILFOTOL

But I am Simon from ILFORD Photo/ HARMAN technology ...so I would
Click to expand...

...but I am sure you get it for a good deal, and can pick it up from work whenever you want, without having to mail order it!

Why is it so much more expensive than Photo-Flo, and why is it so rare in the United States?

Same with Washaid. Way more expensive and way less available than Kodak HCA.

If I could get it off the shelf at Freestyle or Samy's, and the price was anywhere near competitive, I would buy it. I'd like to, but.........
 
Alternative to Photo Flo: I used Photo-Flo to avoid water spots on film. Now I use distilled water and find it works better.
 
tetenal mirasol is my favourite, it has some anti fungal and anti bacterial properties besides it does not leave any marks or grease
 
Jordan said:
Interestingly, there are a lot of structural similarities between Triton X-100 and Nonoxynol, a common topical spermicide. I think Nonoxynol's mode of action is also as a surfactant. Now let the jokes begin.
Click to expand...

After mixing up a large batch of the Dignan subsitute I was wondering what to do with the remaining Triton-100.

Wink. wink. nudge, nudge!
 
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