Selenium toning Ilford MGIV FB for maximum Dmax

[StigHagen]

Hi!

What is your recommended time and dilution with KRST selenium toning of Ilford MGIV FB paper for maximum Dmax, without making it turning blue...?

 

[rorye]

I usually give it about 3 mins at 1:20, no color shift. I develop in Dektol.

 

[StigHagen]

I usually give it about 3 mins at 1:20, no color shift. I develop in Dektol.

do you see an increase of dmax in the blacks with this time?

 

[rorye]

Yep, I do see a difference in the dmax but not the color.
Of course sometimes I'll split sepia for color but that's a different matter entirely!

 

[phaedrus]

Hi!

What is your recommended time and dilution with KRST selenium toning of Ilford MGIV FB paper for maximum Dmax, without making it turning blue...?

Blue? Mine always turned reddish-brown or dark purple if I toned it in 1+9 KRST (for as long as it took). But that might have been Ilford MG FB warmtone. MGIV FB is a fickle beast to tone, heck, it even comes out of some developers looking greenish. Can't have that
Dito the time of 3 minutes for 1+19 KRST to achieve more Dmax.

 

[brian steinberger]

I normally tone MGIV for 3 minutes at 1:9 dilution. This gives an increase in dmax and a slight shift toward blue in color, but what it really does is neutralized the "greenish" color that most developers give with this paper. I find this a nice neutral combo.

 

[Rafal Lukawiecki]

I use KRST 1:9 at 24C. While the toner bath is relatively fresh, MGIV loses green Dektol tint at 1.5m, at 2m DMax starts to improve with no colour shift, and the colour starts shifting around 2.5m becoming visible at 3m as a plum tone in the shadows (not blue). With Ansco 130 MGIV does not seem to have the green tint and the process is subtler, but the timing is similar.

After I transfer the print to HCA toning seems to continue for another 20-30s.