washing very old papers

[Erik Petersson]

Hi,

I am printing on very old papers, from 1930'ies and onward. Agfa Portriga, Agfa Brovira, and soon a bunch of others. How long should I wash the prints? I have no idea, some advice point to a few minutes, elsewhere it says an hour.

I should add that I do lumen prints, but that should make no difference, right? I am washing the fixer out of the paper anyway.

Washing technique: tap water runs into a tray, in which the prints lie. One corner is lowered, so that the water runs from the tray into the sink. I change water approximately every five or ten minutes.

thanks!
/Erik

 

[Sirius Glass]

Use very old water to wash the very old papers.

 

[Erik Petersson]

I have ordered ice from a Greenlandic glacier for this.

 

[Sirius Glass]

The rest of the chemicals should be fresh.

 

[Erik Petersson]

The sunlight has traveled for eight minutes before it hits the paper. That worries me.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Yes but it is at the speed of light so there is time dilation and length contraction.

I hope this helps.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_dilation
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/relativ/tdil.html

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Agfa Brovira? I have it. As usual. It is same fiber as modern, just better.

 

[Erik Petersson]

How do you wash it?

 

[LarsAC]

Did some Record Rapid yesterday. Wash after fix, then HCA, then 30-40 mins in water bath. I change water every 5 mins and move the tray inbetween frequently.

Just like with any other FB paper, but better, as stated already.

Lars

 

[Doremus Scudder]

I believe AA's original series "Basic Photography" series came out in the early 50s. He'd been using papers like you mention and recommends wash times that do not vary significantly from what is recommended today. Just don't wash too long or too hot and you'll be fine.

Doremus

 

[Erik Petersson]

Thanks everyone, this was enlightening.