how to mix Kodak Photo-Flo 200 Photographic Wetting Agent

[Denis K]

I found that using a syringe was a pain, and my eye droppers weren't long enough to reach down in the bottle, but if you stick a straw in and put your thumb on the end you can get enough. I suppose you could mark the straw as to how far up the solution should come, but I just eyeball it.

If you like to use, or is that misuse, straws as pipettes them get some of those plastic coffee stirrers that look like miniature straws, you'll love them for small quantities.

Denis K

 

[jolefler]

Eyeballin'...

Is my pseudo-scientific method. A few drops in the 16 oz. stainless tank, then I fill with filtered water. A couple of vertical agitations with the reel before dropping it back in for a minute or two.

My wife's suggestion that I use water from the family's drinking water filter. A genius, she is; I notice MUCH fewer deposits after drying, than with tap water.

Jo

 

[Sirius Glass]

The water here in LA is very hard, I have to squeegee and wipe down the sink after each use. Distilled water is a must.

It depends on which part of Los Angeles you live in. The Westside and the San Fernando Valley usually get water from the Owens Valley. The rest get the water from the Colorado River which is much harder water.

Steve

 

[Sirius Glass]

There is simply no need to use distilled water to mix up prepackaged Kodak chemistry. Kodak puts much effort into this very problem and they have it solved.

That is my experience. YMMV.

Steve

 

[Sirius Glass]

Considering that it's usually just a gallon or so needed which costs less than 2$, and 5L or so of developer lasts quite a decent time at 1+1, aside from the cost, it's not exactly a big deal to use distilled water either (especially with more "sensitive" developers like XTOL).

Plus using more gas plus adding to the air pollution equals a WOMBAT.

WOMBAT = Waste Of Money Brains And Time [Yet another entry for the LOAA]

Steve

 

[JPD]

"A few drops of wetting agent in whatever amount of water" is the way I do it. We have soft water here.

 

[2F/2F]

Considering that I already have the syringe for other darkroom chemicals, and it takes only a minute or two to make the stuff at the recommended dilution, and rinse the syringe, I don't see any point in guessing.

FWIW, I use tap water for the Photo Flo. I might have used distilled water once or twice, but I don't think there was any noticeable difference. I've never had a problem with water spots using San Gabriel Valley/N.E.L.A. water. I hang the film (either in a drying cabinet or a steamed-up bathroom), then lightly squeegee it between two fingers.

 

[mike c]

Had problems with a scum forming on film, tried using two bath's with distilled water at the end of the wash and negs dried clean and clear.

Mike

 

[apochromatic]

Anyone else had problems with the latest batch of Photoflo - as of Jan 2011? It seems watered down and we're having to double the amount to get clean negs.

 

[msa]

Go to a chemical supply house, buy yourself a 4 oz dropper bottle. About half the dropper should be 2 ml or so.

My photo-flo lives in the storage shed, except for that 4 oz bottle. I just put that half dropper in the dev tank (120/2x135), and let it diffuse before draining.