Re: fixing salt prints

I am forgetting if there's a reason not to use Kodak
fixer but you can find if there is a reason, short of
testing it, in Reilly's book online which is
searchable.
<<http://albumen.stanford.edu/library/monographs/reilly/>>
 I've never tried it.

There is info there also in how to maintain your
silver nitrate solution as far as replenishment and
kaolin treatment. It should last for years.

As you sensitize salt and albumen prints, the
organics, gelatin and albumen, will darken the
solution and make it less and less usuable. Kaolin
powder will remove that discolorization and settle to
the bottom. There is an illustration of a siphon
apparatus to remove the decolorized solution without
disturbing the powdered layer at the bottom here as
well as intstructions on kaolin treatment.
<<http://albumen.stanford.edu/library/monographs/reilly/chap6.html>>

Eric Nelson
http://www.archival-photo.net
http://www.eman-photo.com

--- David Barker <dbarker_ca@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi Judy,
>
> I've mostly used plain hypo (10% no other
> additives),
> but I think I have also used kodak rapid fix and it
> worked fine if I recall correctly. If you tone the
> prints you may need to use a different fix depending
> on the pH of the toner. I usually fix for 5-8
> minutes.
>
> Is it possible you are not washing sufficiently
> before
> fixing? You have to get rid of all the unreacted
> silver salt by washing in tap water until you don't
> see any white precipitate coming off any more (and
> then some).
>
> My silver nitrate solution must be going on a year
> or
> more old and it still seems to work fine. I can't
> think of anything that would hurt it over time in an
> opaque bottle, except that it'll probably get more
> concentrated with use.
>
> David Barker
>
>
> --- jude.taylor@comcast.net wrote:
>
> > Anyone out there tried regular Kodak fixer (with
> its
> > assorted chemical mix) for fixing salt prints?
> All
> > the recipes I have found call for plain sodium
> > thiosulfate (a.k.a. hypo) either 10% with 2%
> sodium
> > bicarb (Wynn White, James) or 5% Na thiosulfate
> wtih
> > a bit of Na carbonate (Webb and Reed).
> >
> > Also, I have on hand Hustler Rapid Clear;
> directions
> > say to used diluted 4 oz (120 ml) per gallon
> water.
> > Should this be adequate to clear salt prints?
> >
> > I have tried a couple of prints and they do not
> seem
> > to have cleared adequately. Or maybe I used the
> > Kodak fixer too dilute and not long enough (2:1
> > stock fixer: water; two baths for 2
> > minutes....minimal fading so maybe it is not
> strong
> > enough or long enough on the fixing?) A masked
> > border around the print that was paper white last
> > night is light gray this morning in the dry
> prints!
> > Sigh!
> >
> > About how long will the silver nitrate sensitizer
> > remain"usable" stored in an amber bottle in the
> dark
> > (2 or 3 days, a week?) as there is no way I am
> > likely to use up a full recipe in an initial
> > printing attempt (I did make up a smaller batch
> and
> > may do 1/4 recipe next time until I get it
> right!).
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Judy
> >
> > --
> > Judy Rowe Taylor
> > Mukilteo, WA
> > Art is a voice of the heart, a song of the soul.
> > www.enduringibis.com
> > jude.taylor@comcast.net or
> > judyrowetaylor@enduringibis.com
> >
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Start your day with Yahoo! - Make it your home page!
>
> http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
>

                
__________________________________
Yahoo! Music Unlimited
Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.
http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited/
Received on Sun Oct 16 08:50:22 2005