Re: Dag Questions

Thanks for the compliments, Brad.

To answer your question, dags aren't exactly very frustrating but you
have to pay attention to every step of the process or you'll mess
something up. Just like with film, it's not a challenge to get an image
but it is a challenge to get a *good* image.

I've also heard from a couple of other dagists that you want to avoid
cyanide-bath plating solutions. I have no idea as to the reasoning
behind the statement, however.

You probably know better than the rest of us but I'd double check the
'ole textbook to make sure that the Hg won't react with whatever vessel
you build for it. I know very little about Hg and its properties. At
the very least, memorize the MSDS!

-J

Bradley Lewis wrote:
> WOW, thanks for all the info. You guys have really answered my
> questions!
> From everything I'm hearing, I think I have to go the mercury
> development route. I am thinking of having an iron box welded
> together for the development. Of course, if I do use mercury
> development, I'll also have to sensitize with bromine, which creeps me
> out almost as much as the mercury.
> It also seems pretty consistent that the plates need to be around 0.3
> to 0.5 mils. I had no idea that I shouldn't use an electroplating
> solution with brighteners. I had been saving up some used solution
> that I was planning on refreshing and using at home, but it has
> brighteners, so I'll probably just make up a cyanide plating solution.
>
> Just how much frustration should I be expecting?
>
>
> BTW-Jonathan, I checked out your page a few months ago, but you've
> added some new dags in your gallery. I really LOVE your dag of the
> Eiffel Tower!!! "How did he hold the camera still enough to take a
> dag? AAAhhhhhhhhhh!!!!" Nice!
>
> Thanks everyone for your help. Have a fantastic weekend!
>
> Brad
>
>
>

-- 
http://photographs.danforthsource.com