I used to tone with selenium back in the 1980s but the Ilford MG FB glossy I use now does not tone much at all with selenium. So I stopped using toner. I still have a few bottles of selenium. Wonder if it is any good.
Tone for a tone change or a change in print density. Selenium toner often gratifyingly increases Dmax. Don't tone partially in selenium toner for permanence. Unless you tone to completion, which most don't because the change in color is just too much, you're not getting much protection. Sulfide/sepia toning, on the other hand, protects a print well. Again proportionally to the amount of toning, but sepia toning is usually done for a marked change in image tone.I generally use a weak solution of selenium toner (1:19 in water) when making silver gelatin fiber prints. After fixing, I give it a brief rinse in running water and then tone for 5-10 minutes. From there, a bath in hypo clearing agent and a final wash. The tone shift on the paper I use (Ilford MG FB Classic) is basically imperceptible compared to un-toned prints, but I tell myself it improves the longevity of the print. Whether it does or not, I guess my great grandchildren will find out.
When I was regularly making gel silver prints, I toned for colour. With toning, comes permanence. A bath after toning and final wash, in Sistan, extends permanence. I remember this from tests that Ctein did years ago. I think that was mainly with RC papers.
I use Ilford Multigrade Classic FB, and I tone lightly for 2-3 min in selenium toner. To my eyes the Ilford paper has a distinctly greenish cast if un-toned, and this light intervention neutralises it. It also visibly deepens the blacks. I do this to all my prints because I like a consistent appearance, but I know other people like to ring the changes for individual photos.
I accepted the book-learning that even light toning improved longevity, but if you search here on Photrio you’ll find previous threads that cast doubt on its real value in that respect.
With toning, comes permanence.
I used to get a greenish cast on my Multigrade Classic FB paper when I was using Dektol. The weak selenium toning I do counteracted it for the most part. When I switched to Ilford MG developer I stopped getting the greenish cast.
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