What is this fogging??

[Dmosher]

I've got this weird fogging. It isn't showing up in the developer, but only after I move the paper to the fixer. The fixer is freshly mixed but the concentrate is old. Paper is Ilford Art 300, Developer is the legacy pro dektol equivalent. Fixer is the kodak rapid fix without hardener. Stop is the legacy pro stop bath. Yes, those are little streams of bubbles coming off the edge of the paper as well. Paper is a new box, just received last week and opened today. The part I don't get is why the fogging doesn't start to appear until the paper goes in the fix. Then I can watch the fogging develop just like watching a print develop in the developer.. Also - a piece of Ilford RC MG does not have the same issue.

thanks!

 

[fiddle]

Do a search here for art 300. There has been a few posts about it and not stopping enough causing stains.

 

[mshchem]

Use stop bath and acid fixer.

 

[mshchem]

Fresh fixer.

 

[mshchem]

BTW Ilford Art 300 is amazing paper. It even smells good, like the cotton that it is when drying

 

[kevs]

It is not fogging, it it staining caused by developer being carried over into the fixer due to inadequate stop bath (short stop) time, strength or both. The acidic stop bath neutralises the alkaline developer to prevent staining and prolong the fixer's life.
The solution is:
a) use fresh, strong, acidic stop bath (citric or acetic);
b) fully immerse the paper into the liquid and agitate to ensure full coverage;
c) leave the paper in the stop bath for at least the manufacturer's recommended time (double would be better);
d) wash developer off fingers / tongs or immerse them in the stop bath before moving the print to the fixer.

Art 300 has a heavyweight, absorbent paper base that soaks up lots of liquid. Imagine it as a sponge. The base of RC papers don't absorb liquids, which is why you can get away with lax processing. FB papers, particularly heavyweight ones, require much more care in processing and handling than RC papers.

See also: https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/stains-on-border-ilford-art-300-quid.188278

 

[gone]

Looks like staining, that's where it starts, on the edges. I haven't used that particular paper, but like others here have said, fresh chemicals will be your friend. That paper would seem to be more prone to this than other FB papers. Might even need a water bath before going into the fixer.
Here's a really good thread on the paper.
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...grade-art-300-textured-matte-fb-paper.184182/

 

[Dmosher]

I'm going with it being a bad batch of paper. Swapped out the new box of 5x7 Art 300 for a couple year old box of 8x10 ART 300 and the problem disappeared.

 

[kevs]

I'm going with it being a bad batch of paper. Swapped out the new box of 5x7 Art 300 for a couple year old box of 8x10 ART 300 and the problem disappeared.

In that case, I recommend you inform Ilford's QC department about the problem, though you'll have to wait until early January for any response. They will replace any faulty products like-for-like (BT; DT). Be sure to keep prints you made on the faulty paper, and the remainder of the box, to send them. You'll also need to supply the batch number and any other info they ask for.

https://www.ilfordphoto.com/product-feedback