> 1 Has anybody tried to make them?
Yes, for example me.
> 2 Do you have a good formula?
I used a chloride and iodide sesitised version but the main part of (old)
daguerreotypes was made by iodide and bromide sensitisation.
It was the "high speed" plate. ;-)
It's cheap and simple, but the result is not the best to make photos from
living persons(see above)
But to describe with all details... It can be a handbook. What is/are your
problem(s)?
> 3 How hazardous is the process now?
Rather. (At first the mercury-vapur-developing. You need a well ventillated
place to make it.) But we all (still) living now... after a few years.
More: I had 1 or 2 persistent warts on my hand which are disappeard when
I used the protecting gloves accidently reversed (inside the mercury covered
surface). ;-) Alt-medical-process.
I think the vapour of brom (to make silver bromide plate)is a true danger
do not try without special protecting accessories!!! (I never used it.)
I have special process also to make daguerreotype facsimiles, the result
is seems like a dag. but the process is simpler. Howewer not too healthy:
need some poison (Mercury chloride).
There is an other facsimile process described in the book of Eder, Kuchinka:
Die daguerreotipe, 1927 Halle. A white pigment before silver background.
Perhaps it is not so dangerous...
Balint Flesch
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Flesch Ba'lint *
archaist/conservator photographer *
Budapest *
V. Ka'rolyi Miha'ly u. 14/c. * Tel/Fax.: +36-(1)-117-9908
Hungary H-1053 * E-mail: 100263.262@compuserve.com
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