B&W Supply Reliability and New Providers

[eli griggs]

Considering how many beautiful prints have been made over the last hundred years plus, in places and times when Kodak, etc chemistry came from homes and apothecaries, I'll happily take my chances and I'll suspect others have, do and will continue to do so.

At least one of the several Colleges and University has a very good fume hood in its off campus access to a arts venue and as others have strong printmaking programs, as well as other arts venues, traditional materials still used and taught.

If you're having difficulty with KOH, in your formulary compounds, perhaps it would be beneficial for you to step back and reexamine your activities at the scales and sink, old habits we do not even think about, eventually can slip into our routines and this may be a, if not, 'The' difficulty you're having.

Of course, personal standards and quality expectations may also be at the heart of you're criticism of your work and, given the constant bombardment of today's media, such as advertising and illustrated literature, with its digitally created and smooth graphics, may have given you an altered sense of what is normal in analog equipment and materials, including negatives and prints.

You can also always try adding an anti-fog remedy to your KOH formulated chemistry and see if that'll help some.

Godspeed to all,
Eli

 

[mshchem]

Doesn't Rodinal have KOH s an ingredient? It's a quite strong base. Great developer

 

[koraks]

Doesn't Rodinal have KOH s an ingredient?

Yes. I use KOH from time to time, although not many formulas call from it. My comments were about 'backyard grade KOH' really, but the point was evidently lost. Doesn't matter; that discussion has run its course anyway.

 

[eli griggs]

Basic Fixer or "Hypo" from swimming pool supply shops that are selling "Penta Hydrate" crystals (not the correct word) can be a Godsend, when you've found your regular fixer, of whatever type, has gone off or has been somehow contaminated, particularly in group darkrooms, rental or school or camera club.

The stuff is easy to make, simple instructions, just before a developing session and cheap enough to keep a 10# to 25# bag dry and safe in your chemical closet for that bad we all hope never have again.

Sure, your times to fix will be somewhat longer, but it's like the 45-70 you tote into the mountains, remedy enough for a big bear, but though you really don't want to have to use it, you keep it handy, just in case.

 

[foc]

Basic Fixer or "Hypo" from swimming pool supply shops that are selling "Penta Hydrate" crystals (not the correct word) can be a Godsend, when you've found your regular fixer, of whatever type, has gone off or has been somehow contaminated, particularly in group darkrooms, rental or school or camera club.

The stuff is easy to make, simple instructions, just before a developing session and cheap enough to keep a 10# to 25# bag dry and safe in your chemical closet for that bad we all hope never have again.

Sure, your times to fix will be somewhat longer, but it's like the 45-70 you tote into the mountains, remedy enough for a big bear, but though you really don't want to have to use it, you keep it handy, just in case.

Some countries, like my own, don't have swimming pool supplies shops that are easly accessible because very few people have private swimming pools.

Online purchase may be viable but if not available country wide then inter EU transport cost often make it uneconomical.

 

[AnselMortensen]

I propose that we all buy ready-made photo chemicals from reliable suppliers so that they are able to stay in business and continue supplying us with reliable supplies.

 

[eli griggs]

foc, is product brought cross boarder lines subject to tarrifs or does the VAT allow for someone to drive into another EU Nation and cross back into their home Nation, taxes paid?

I thought that was a benefit to EU Citizenship.

AnselMortensen, I suggest the majority of members practicing darkroom developing, are likely to have no less than one alternative for chemical materials, ie, Twenty Team Borax, Baking Soda, Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, Cream of Tartar, (AKA Potassium tartrate ) Alcohols, Coffee, Vitamin C, Ascorbic Acid, White Vinegar, Kosher Salt, etc.

There are good reasons so many photographers will use commonly available, if not in every Nation, which the lack of easy access, is never a good enough reason to proclaim that its only good enough if it came from a photographer's materials business or somehow impossible to find.

Analog photography is certainly going on in these Nations and with the scarcity

 

[koraks]

is product brought cross boarder lines subject to tarrifs or does the VAT allow for someone to drive into another EU Nation and cross back into their home Nation, taxes paid?

I thought that was a benefit to EU Citizenship.

It is. Transportation cost, however, are quite real.
Also, have you tried driving with a bag of chemistry from another EU country to Ireland? Note @foc's location!

Analog photography is certainly going on in these Nations and with the scarcity

The vast majority of analog photographers either send out their film for processing (esp. color) or they use ready-made photographic chemistry. The percentage of DIY-ers is small.
I do agree that the notion that chemistry must come from a "photographic" business or needs to be intended specifically for such a purpose is by and large, well, bogus. I use mostly chemistry intended for food or household purposes, at least whenever possible/available, and with only one or two exceptions have never had any issue with that. For those who prefer a DIY approach, I think you and I wholeheartedly agree that 'shopping around' is perfectly fine, often saves a penny (or several!) and is, moreover, a lot of fun.

 

[takilmaboxer]

I was frustrated with the price of LPD, which I have used for years, so I bought some Flic Warm Tone Developer. It comes in a pouch and after mixing produced a coffee-colored stock solution. My first printing session showed it to be way under-active compared to LPD. I am again considering print developer alternatives. DIY will be my last resort.
On the other hand I purchased some Arista A76 and it works fine - just like D76.

 

[mshchem]

It is. Transportation cost, however, are quite real.
Also, have you tried driving with a bag of chemistry from another EU country to Ireland? Note @foc's location!



The vast majority of analog photographers either send out their film for processing (esp. color) or they use ready-made photographic chemistry. The percentage of DIY-ers is small.
I do agree that the notion that chemistry must come from a "photographic" business or needs to be intended specifically for such a purpose is by and large, well, bogus. I use mostly chemistry intended for food or household purposes, at least whenever possible/available, and with only one or two exceptions have never had any issue with that. For those who prefer a DIY approach, I think you and I wholeheartedly agree that 'shopping around' is perfectly fine, often saves a penny (or several!) and is, moreover, a lot of fun.

Driving to Ireland

 

[mshchem]

I was frustrated with the price of LPD, which I have used for years, so I bought some Flic Warm Tone Developer. It comes in a pouch and after mixing produced a coffee-colored stock solution. My first printing session showed it to be way under-active compared to LPD. I am again considering print developer alternatives. DIY will be my last resort.
On the other hand I purchased some Arista A76 and it works fine - just like D76.

Not a fan of Flic.

 

[foc]

Driving to Ireland

View attachment 370626

 

[eli griggs]

Driving to Ireland

View attachment 370626

Love it