The chemistry came in from B&S, so after work made up some Sodium Thiosulphate (20 gm in 1000 ml), coated some paper - platinotype natural, chose a negative - a Pyrocat-HD negative that had dichoric fog, but was cleared with farmers. All set, first paper was give exposure in 3 min intervals, and a time of 15 min was picked (yeah, it's a little dense). Post exposure,washed for 20-30 min, 2-3 min in the Sodium Thiosulphate, then washed for another 10-20 min.
Well the test print looks like a test print, but the 2nd print lookd pretty good - except other than the area outside the image area, there is no real brown color. Did I miss something, or is this really pretty normal? Will post image later today - at work now and the pritn was still wet last night.
Questions:
1. Sodium Thiosulphate - have seen reference to using 5%, then to 30 gm/L, then 20 gm/L...now it's been a while but I'm pretty sure these are not all the same. What was used was 20gm/L which is what came with the kit. Which one?
2. The directions that came with the kit indicated washing for 20-30 min, the fix for 2-3 min, the wash for 5 min. Other info that has been read show much shorter wash times for the first wash 1-5 min, the 1-2 min in the hypo, then longer wash (as in FB paper). So, which is it?
3. The print times seemed long to me, the light box is new 12 - f20T12 BLB's. Using electronic ballast - Thanks, Michael M. - anyway, selected a different negative that I knew had what I expected to be normal exposure - 4x5 negative and did a quick Ziatype - cooked for 6 min, and it was just a bit over cooked - would guess about 41/2 to 5 min would be correct for it..does that sound like resonable time?
Should also mention that the paper used was Platinotype natural - which must say is pretty nice stuff. Since this is Friday, plan to make up some Ziatypes and VanDykes and print using the Stouffer 21-Step Wedge, starting times will be around 4 min....any thoughts? Does this seem like a reasonable next step?
One other question, the split back CP that I am using is from PF and it really does not cover the back completely - which means the paper could be drying out while under the lights - should this matter?
Thanks in advance for the input.
Well the test print looks like a test print, but the 2nd print lookd pretty good - except other than the area outside the image area, there is no real brown color. Did I miss something, or is this really pretty normal? Will post image later today - at work now and the pritn was still wet last night.
Questions:
1. Sodium Thiosulphate - have seen reference to using 5%, then to 30 gm/L, then 20 gm/L...now it's been a while but I'm pretty sure these are not all the same. What was used was 20gm/L which is what came with the kit. Which one?
2. The directions that came with the kit indicated washing for 20-30 min, the fix for 2-3 min, the wash for 5 min. Other info that has been read show much shorter wash times for the first wash 1-5 min, the 1-2 min in the hypo, then longer wash (as in FB paper). So, which is it?
3. The print times seemed long to me, the light box is new 12 - f20T12 BLB's. Using electronic ballast - Thanks, Michael M. - anyway, selected a different negative that I knew had what I expected to be normal exposure - 4x5 negative and did a quick Ziatype - cooked for 6 min, and it was just a bit over cooked - would guess about 41/2 to 5 min would be correct for it..does that sound like resonable time?
Should also mention that the paper used was Platinotype natural - which must say is pretty nice stuff. Since this is Friday, plan to make up some Ziatypes and VanDykes and print using the Stouffer 21-Step Wedge, starting times will be around 4 min....any thoughts? Does this seem like a reasonable next step?
One other question, the split back CP that I am using is from PF and it really does not cover the back completely - which means the paper could be drying out while under the lights - should this matter?
Thanks in advance for the input.