From: Michael Healy (mjhealy@kcnet.com)
Date: 12/08/02-10:27:25 PM Z
Mr. Science here wants to try salt prints. But Mr. Science knows only a
little more about chemicals than the cat. Wings and prayers are what we've
got going for us. So the formula calls for potassium citrate. Mr. Science
here wouldn't know potassium citrate if it knocked on his door and bit him
in the ass. The only place we're even finding the stuff is at Photographer's
Formulary, which frankly is 25-40% more expensive item by item than, e.g.,
B&S. But B&S doesn't seel pot. citrate. In fact, nobody seems to, apart from
the vitamin supplement people.
So what the hell IS potassium citrate? Is this the same thing as the vitamin
supplement? Are we just strolling across town to score bottles of it from
the local health food church, and then grinding it down in the kitchen?
Jan Arnow actually advances the claim that sodium citrate can be substituted
(93 parts of s.c. instead, due to their different weights). But I'm not sure
I trust Arnow. This wouldn't be the first time her claims have made me
suspicious, in the light of more contemporary writers on the alternative
processes. On this particular point, I'd rather act on the advice of
somebody who's perhaps more knowledgable in chemistry.
Can anybody hold my hand on this, and point me to safe harbor?
Mike Healy
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : 01/31/03-09:31:25 AM Z CST