Cor, that paper may not be good for VDB -- I don't know it, have never
used it. But first thought is just TRY a print with some other paper.
Doesn't have to be a gorgeous archival museum-quality print, but if you
don't get the brown flecks, you'll know it's something about the paper.
Can you get a sheet of Stonehenge? We use also Strathmore drawing, Cranes
kid finish, almost any "Bristol Plate, neutral PH," other Arches,
including I believe Aquarelle, Fabriano Artistico, even Rives BFK. ETc.
Etc. Etc.
> .well I try to coat as light as possible. I should add that I have
> reasonable/good results (well it's hard to tell when you work on your own,
You shouldn't have to be "light as possible," because a good soak gives
good D-max. I'm suspicious of that paper....
> and never have seen a VDB "live", only on the web..) when test printing
my
All the more reason to try different papers, get the range.....
>
> How long do you use your fix, and what is the amount of Na2S2O4.5H2O per
> litre and the fixing time you use?
>
One heaping tablespoon (a measure you don't use) for 16 ounces of water.
Translate that to 25 grams or one coffee scoop to a half litre. I'm
terrible about changing the fix, mostly when I think of it, but
theoretically old fix could make the paper harder to wash (tho frankly I
think that may apply mostly to gelatine papers), but I certainly don't see
any way it could cause your brown run-off. Fixing time I use is just as
you said, one to two minutes with constant agitation. (Others use slightly
weaker fix for 3 min, which is as I recall what Mike Ware says for
argyrotype.)
I have, BTW, tested REALLY exhausted old fixer against perfectly fresh as
far as the *appearance* of the print went. The exhausted seemed to be a
little slower (but action is so quick who could tell for sure), but the
*look* of the 2 prints is indistinguishable. Dick Stevens in his
"Definitive" book goes into long story about why fresh fix will make your
prints more archival, by washing out better & not making insoluble
compounds. It's my understanding that that's true on gelatine silver
paper, but I have surmised (perhaps wrongly) that washing out of plain
paper is a whole other proposition...
cheers,
Judy
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