Re: Best way to buy Platino-Palladiotype chemicals

Jeff,

Whether you decide to go with a kit or mix the stuff yourself, I'd
recommend purchasing from Bostick & Sullivan at least until you get the
hang of the process. I've found them to be competitive on most
chemicals and supplies, higher on some, lower on others. But, they are
a mom-and-pop-shop and they will take all the time you need to get you
on track if you experience any problems. Dick and Kevin Sullivan as
well as Melody Bostick are very friendly and helpful and really support
the alternative process community. So, even if the prices might turn
out to be a little more, I'd support them at least with an original
purchase.

Having said that, I've also dealt with Photographer's Formulary and
Artcraft and have had good dealings with both. I've just found the
service from B&S to be really outstanding and their promotion of
alternative processes through hosting venues like APIS, etc.,
commendable so I think they deserve a plug.

Joe

>>> dilcher@hiddenworld.net 08/02/04 2:51 PM >>>
Sandy,

Thanks, as always for the comments! I'll get busy checking out
some of the sources you mentioned. I'm also glad to know about
that method of adding the Na2- might be worth learning about up
front! I hadn't heard of the Artcraft company- I'll check it
out. I was thinking that maybe a supplier who doesn't sell
exclusively for a specialty market might have cheaper prices,
at least for the more expensive materials. Maybe not, though!

On Mon, Aug 02, 2004 at 02:40:44PM -0400, Sandy King wrote:
> Mike Ware is a very authoritative source.
>
> However, you might also want to look at a few other sources. I
> suggest you start with the excellent reference site provided by Jeff
> Mathias, at http://home.att.net/~jeffrey.d.mathias/
>
> You might also want to obtain a copy of Th New Platinum Print by
> Richard Sullivan and Carl Weese and Dick Arentz' Platinum and
> Palladium Printing.
>
> In addition to Bostick and Sullivan and Photograhers Formulary there
> is also Artcraft Chemicals. You can check prices for all three
> sources at on-line web sites.
>
> Many Pt./Pd. printers are using a fairly new system of contrast
> control that may not be described on Mike Ware's site. This system is
> based on the addition of small amounts of Na2 (Sodium
> chloroplatinate) to a basic sensitizer of ferric oxalate and
> palladium chloride. You can find some working instructions for using
> the Na2 method at Dick Arentz' web site. Eric Neilsen, who is often
> on the list, uses another method of contrast control and may comment
> on that in due course.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Sandy King
>
>
> >Hello,
> >
> >I have decided to jump into working in the Platino-Palladiotype
process,
> >after doing some research and reading from various sources.
> >
> >I have been studying an online guide authored by Dr. Mike Ware, which
> >seems to be very well written.
> >
> >http://www.alternativephotography.com/process_platino.html
> >
> >He mentions needing the following materials:
> >
> >Ammonium Iron(III) Oxalate 30g
> >Ammonium Tetrachloroplatinate(II) 5g
> >Ammonium Chloride 1.8g
> >Palladium(II) Chloride 3g
> >
> >for making up the sensitizing solution.
> >
> >Here are my questions:
> >
> >Is there a concensus for a source for these materials at a
competitive
> >price?
> >Do I save much by mixing myself as opposed to trying one of the
"kits"
> >offered
> >by Bostick & Sullivan or Photo formulary?
> >
> >Does anyone, who is familar with the article I referred to, have any
> >caveats
> >they can think of, considering I might be using this article as a
guide?
> >
> >I am reasonably methodical, and hope to minimize as many beginner
mistakes
> >as possible.
> >
> >Thanks in advance for your comments!
> >
> >-Jeff
>
Received on Mon Aug 2 15:05:04 2004