Ilford MG WT Lith and Fix

[AlexWaber]

Hi All,
I'm new to Lith printing and am stoked on the results I've seen and the results I'm starting to get. I'm using (as the title suggests) Ilford MG WT FB and have read extensively that I need to pull from the developer (in my case Easy Lith by Moersch) and put it in the fix where the blacks really accelerate.
My Concern is, do I then pull from the Fix when I have my desired blacks or do I leave the paper in the fix for the required fixing time? If that is the case does that mean I need to pull from the developer even earlier to accommodate the fix time?
And finally, if the fix has the result of accelerating the black development, does that mean the image is still fixed or will the image fade away as though it was never fixed?

Thanks,
Alex
(new to APUG and really excited by how much info is already on here!!!)

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

You have to leave the print for a standard amount of time in the fix, or your print will not be permanent.

Ilford MGWT is tricky if you want to pull the print by inspection. But it can be learned. The paper is very consistent with how it looks by the time you need to pull it. There are no shortcuts. You need to learn what to look for, because you need to completely fix your prints.

Practice makes perfect. I know Ilford MGWT can be very expensive paper, but how else will you learn? You need to develop a skill where you can trust what you see. Get good safelights! I recommend a couple of amber ones, and they will help you identify when your prints are done developing.

 

[SMBooth]

Wouldn't you go from lith to stop, that way the development will halt. Then fix for correct time.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Wouldn't you go from lith to stop, that way the development will halt. Then fix for correct time.

Of course you go to stop first. You don't want developer in your fixer, and with lith it's important to stop fast. So an acid stop bath is essential.

 

[SMBooth]

Yes , my point is if the OP is truly going from Develop to fix as stated in post then perhaps that's why the paper continues to develop in the fix.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Yes , my point is if the OP is truly going from Develop to fix as stated in post then perhaps that's why the paper continues to develop in the fix.

No, Ilford MGWT is unique, even with standard chemicals, but it's more pronounced with lith developers, in that a lot of contrast is unveiled once you put it in the fixer. It's as if a very visible veil is simply 'cleared' and there is almost an explosion of contrast. It is not subtle either.

But it is true that a stop bath is absolutely necessary. Can't not use a stop bath.

 

[AlexWaber]

Definitely have been using the stop bath. Good to know that the fix should go for the regular amount of time. I guess I'll just figure out when to pull from the Dev to make the fix work right.
Thanks for your help!

 

[Bob Carnie]

What Thomas says.

this paper needs to be pulled from the dev before the blacks really start coming in, use a stop and watch the print explode in the fix.

Only paper other than Art 300(which is the same emulsion) that does this. If you standard print it does the same thing.

No, Ilford MGWT is unique, even with standard chemicals, but it's more pronounced with lith developers, in that a lot of contrast is unveiled once you put it in the fixer. It's as if a very visible veil is simply 'cleared' and there is almost an explosion of contrast. It is not subtle either.

But it is true that a stop bath is absolutely necessary. Can't not use a stop bath.

 

[SMBooth]

Well that interesting to know, quite strange. Thanks.