Potassium dichromate in Japan and possible alternatives

[David R Munson]

I'm in Japan now and I'd really like to set up to do oil prints. I'm sure I can get gelatin, but so far I can't find any practical source whatsoever for potassium dichromate. The only source I can find that lists it at all is what appears to be an industrial/institutional place that I don't think I can actually purchase from. Does anyone here have any experience finding it in Japan? Or know if it's legal to buy it internationally and have it shipped into Japan?

Failing that, are there good alternatives/substitutes/workarounds that would allow me to do the printing process without the potassium dichromate? I'm trying to find something that I can do, process-wise, here in my tiny apartment. I've got to start making prints of some type soon or I'm going to go crazy this winter!

Thanks!

 

[paul_c5x4]

Or know if it's legal to buy it internationally and have it shipped into Japan?

In Europe, Potassium Dichromate is a restricted substance and is not for sale to private individuals. As it is also a toxic substance, it can not be sent in the post. However, there are one or two international carriers that will ship the stuff in limited quantities, but it will be expensive.

There is a seller on ebay at the moment offering 1lb(450g) at $29 with free shipping from Russia - Not a recommendation, and it may be impounded by customs if it lands in Japan.

 

[bence8810]

Hey David,

A good friend of mine managed to source this stuff when he was reverse bleaching 8mm film recently in Tokyo. I am sure he'll help you if you contact him at:

http://www.pauldelrosario.com

Good luck,
Ben

 

[David R Munson]

Thank you Paul and Ben!

Ben, I'll get in touch with him.

 

[bence8810]

Great - I told him you would so he's expecting your message.

All the best,
Ben

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

NedL here has been having success using Ferric Ammonium Citrate in place of dichromates. It might be easier to bring into Japan.

 

[pdeeh]

have a look at phototypie.fr and their related blog.
they are using Diazidostilbene as a dichromate subsitute.

it may be worth investigating

 

[NedL]

I'm in Japan now and I'd really like to set up to do oil prints. I'm sure I can get gelatin, but so far I can't find any practical source whatsoever for potassium dichromate. The only source I can find that lists it at all is what appears to be an industrial/institutional place that I don't think I can actually purchase from. Does anyone here have any experience finding it in Japan? Or know if it's legal to buy it internationally and have it shipped into Japan?

Failing that, are there good alternatives/substitutes/workarounds that would allow me to do the printing process without the potassium dichromate? I'm trying to find something that I can do, process-wise, here in my tiny apartment. I've got to start making prints of some type soon or I'm going to go crazy this winter!

Thanks!

If you are interested in sailing in uncharted waters, you can try Ammonium Ferric Citrate instead of dichromate. After exposure the gelatin is tanned by immersing in hydrogen peroxide. I'm trying to make oil prints right now by this method. You can follow the ups and downs in a (there was a url link here which no longer exists).

As far as I'm aware, nobody has tried this before, so there is no guarantee of success and no tried-and-true formula to work with. I had a first success last night, but I know there is a long road ahead for really good prints, if that ever happens at all. There will be challenges with the short tonal scale ( just like dichromate ) and various problems to solve like staining. I think you are more likely to get prints sooner with dichromate and the more than 100 years of experience available to draw from, but it's also fun to try something new. It's also inexpensive to try.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Ned, when I click on the link to your blog, it tells me I don't have permissions...

 

[NedL]

Thanks Andrew, the box "members may view" was not checked! It was getting views, but only from APUG guests!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

It works!
I was pretty much about to throw in the gumoil towel yesterday. I've had time to rethink this... Will try again tonight. Hopefully I'll have something positive to enter into my blog, too.

 

[David R Munson]

I'll consider the other possibilities in the long-run, but I have a lead on a real supplier for potassium dichromate now. I can make this happen. Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Who? The next time I'm in Japan (2017) I may be conducting a carbon workshop, and it would be nice to have it ordered from them before I got there...

 

[mooseontheloose]

Who? The next time I'm in Japan (2017) I may be conducting a carbon workshop, and it would be nice to have it ordered from them before I got there...

Fantastic Andrew - sign me up! Although with my luck I'll be out of the country when you come here.

BTW, I've set up a (there was a url link here which no longer exists) group as a place where we can share information about shooting film here. I know the groups aren't used a lot but hopefully we can use it as a all-in-one resource area.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Excellent idea!