'cheap economy developer' comment in Tim Rudman's 'The Photographer's Toning Book'

[Tom Kershaw]

On page 36 of the book a comment is made about 'cheap economy developers' being unsuitable for prints to be polysulphide toned. As well used developers are also advised against, I am uncertain as to whether the recommendation is simply for a strong fresh solution (say Ilford Multigrade at 1+4 to 1+9) or whether there are some developers that don't work as well for reasons of economy, which seems rather strange as most paper developers contain varying quantities of roughly the same compounds. Or to phrase the phrase the question differently, what is a 'cheap economy developer'?

Tom.

 

[Ian Grant]

The reference will be made because (poly)sulphide toning reduces the Dmax of an image so some users start with a slightly heavier over-exposed B&W print before toning, under development can lead to a weak sepia toned image lacking contrast.

Some economy developers are just more dilute & may not give a full Dmax at the time normally used/

It's important to do a trials for yourself before toning.

Ian

 

[Tom Kershaw]

My understanding is that polysulphide toning (Viradon New), can be used to give archival protection throughout the density range of the print without (or with little) colour shift.

Tom.

 

[Ian Grant]

Yes, if used for a short period of time (Poly)sulphide toners will cause little or no colour shift, but when used for toning to produce a rich brown/sepia that's when Tim Rudman's comments become more important.

Ian

 

[Chazzy]

I'm not sure what a polysulfide toner is. Are these the old-fashioned sepia toners where one has to bleach first, or is this more like Kodak's brown toner?

 

[drpsilver]

04 Mar 2009

Chazzy:

Most polysulfide toners are "direct" toners like Kodak Brown Toner.

Regards,
Darwin

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

My understanding is that polysulphide toning (Viradon New), can be used to give archival protection throughout the density range of the print without (or with little) colour shift.

Nope ... lots and lots of color shift with a polysulfide toner. How much is quite variable with the higher dilutions producing a sepia effect.

You can't get a subliminal tone like you can with selenium.

The exact effect is, rather unpredictably, influenced by the developer. For extra unpredictability try split toning with selenium - or use Kodak's Polytoner (discontinued but still available at the back of a dusty shelf here and there).

Linda Butler does a lot of work with PSulfide/Se toning.

 

[Ole]

It also depends a lot on the paper.

Some papers will give strong colour shifts almost immediately, while others may give a deepening of the dark tones without perceptible colour shift. This is with different papers in the same developer!

So I always tone a test strip if I intend to tone the final print: Bergger Silver Supreme needs to be printed more than a full stop lighter if it is to be Viradon-toned.