>Some of you might remember that I had a lot of problem using lith film with
>Dektol developed for continuous tone.<SNIP>
>
>I am using Dektol 1:9 to 1:11 and develop for 3 minutes. I used my timer just
>like when I develop my print. I set it to 3 mins, and at the end of the 3
>mins, it will beep for 10 seconds. I lift up the print when the timer starts
>to beep, let it drip, and drop it in the stop bath at the end of the beep.
>SNIP<.
>
>However, with the lith film, the dripping period cause the developer to run
>down of the surface of the lith film, and this creates a more developed line
>flowing from the thong (tong?).<SNIP>
>
>Questions:
>
>1. Am I the only one who has this problem?
No, it is common with any film developed for a short period of time. It
also "seemed" worst to me when I worked with lith films.
I don't like lith films, and have changed to continuous tone films, but
that story has been told a "few" times. As I've written, my method also
has some limitations. I should also mention that I've never tried the
pyro/lith method recently posted by Richard Sullivan. You can read about
my method "in the archives". Sorry, I just had to say that: the archives
get a lot less mention since Judy left us ;-)
>2. When you move the film from the developer to the stop bath, do you move as
>frantically fast as I do (has to be less than 3 seconds)?
I don't think I drain for more than 2 seconds!! Stop bath is very cheap.
Skip the indicator stuff ($$), just buy the pure strait acid, and change it
once or twice a darkroom session.
>3. What dilution and development time do you use? I am developing the film for
>gum.
See above comments. Lith film has too much static (attracts dust),
develops too quickly (causing uneven development), and I could never get a
curve that made me happy. That could easily be my failings, but I hear FAR
more people complaining about their "lith" enlarged negs than bragging
about them.
tomf2468@pipeline.com (Tom Ferguson)