Toner Advice

pinhole_dreamer · Apr 11, 2011

My 'darkroom' is NOT ventilated. (Old house - no exhaust fans in the basement - we RENT = no changes can be made) What's the best sepia toner on the market that doesn't stink and have noxious, death inducing fumes?

Thanks

Susan

tkamiya · Apr 11, 2011

How about do it outside? That's what I have been doing. Toning process does not require darkness.

pentaxuser · Apr 11, 2011

Any that uses thiocarbamide. Most kits are based on this. Just avoid the sulphide toners which have the rotten egg smell like the one stage toners such as Kodak brown toner or its Agfa equivalent.

The non smelling kits are called indirect toners and require the print to be bleached first but have the advantage of allowing different "browns" depending on the strength of the toning part

pentaxuser

Robert Hall · Apr 11, 2011

I would never dream of going into a room full of chemicals and not have ventilation.

That being said, thiouria toner has no smell. I would still recommend doing it out doors.

I have done many a toning workshop outside. It can be quite nice with so much room to work.

Roger Thoms · Apr 11, 2011

Was just reading Tim Rudman's book on toning, and he warns that the hydrogen sulfide gas released by sepia toners will fog photograpic materials and recommends using outside.

Roger

pinhole_dreamer · Apr 11, 2011

Well, that settles THAT question.

Second question : What does one do with 'used' toner or does it ever get fully used?

hpulley · Apr 11, 2011

Do you have a window? I just open a window when I'm toning. I can open another window elsewhere in the basement to add a good draft. No fans seem to be needed.

pinhole_dreamer · Apr 11, 2011

Two windows, neither one close to where the 'darkroom' is...and neither one of them open. (They were both sealed with concrete to keep them closed!) I think I live in the dark ages. I'm pretty sure that outside is a good idea.

tkamiya · Apr 12, 2011

Do you have a fan in bathroom that exhausts to outside? Since you live in frozen tundra, that may be little more comfortable....

Thomas Bertilsson · Apr 12, 2011

Susan,

Moersch MT3 vario toner can be bought from Freestyle. It is virtually odorless and is 'vario' because you can get anything from yellow to brown tones from it, depending on how you mix it. It's extremely versatile and lasts a good long time.

I used to use Kodak Sepia and Sepia II Warmtone sepia toners, but have found a very valid substitute in the Moersch toner, AND I don't have to wait until spring so I can be outdoors...

- Thomas

kevs · Apr 12, 2011

Be aware that thiourea aka thiocarbamide is a suspected carcinogen, make sure your room is well ventilated.

pinhole_dreamer · Apr 12, 2011

*sigh* I think I'll have to go outside for toning. I don't want to take any chances inside.

Martin Aislabie · Apr 14, 2011

I can vouch for Toning outside being a very pleasant experience

Pick a sheltered sunny spot in the garden, a stable work surface and away you go

For some reason, the time seems to slip by more quickly outside and also I am more able to judge the prints progression

I suspect it is because there are plenty of other distractions, you see the build up of tone more easily by glancing at it, than continuously staring at it in the darkroom

I use dish warmers to extend the "toning season"

Tim Rudmans book on Toning is excellent, if you want to do it seriously

Martin

pinhole_dreamer · Apr 15, 2011

Martin, I tend to sit at the research stage and end up doing more reading than I do actually working on something for most 'projects'...but I wouldn't mind reading the book.

Roger Thoms · Apr 15, 2011

I agree Tim Rudman's book is excellent and he recently republished it so it should still be available.

Roger

Martin Aislabie · Apr 16, 2011

pinhole_dreamer said:
Martin, I tend to sit at the research stage and end up doing more reading than I do actually working on something for most 'projects'...but I wouldn't mind reading the book.

You can buy a new copy of Tims book here - http://www.silverprint.co.uk/ProductByGroup.asp?PrGrp=160

If you are researching Toning techniques, then Tims book is "the bible"

Martin

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