Re: kallitype
Adam Kimball (afk@uclink2.berkeley.edu)
Tue, 18 Oct 1994 02:10:06 -0700
Kallitypes come with different stains. The most common stain has been
refered to as the "yellow stain". But I have found that this yellow
stain comes in different colors. Dick Stephens (_Making Kallitypes_ Focal
Press) advocates the addition of a couple millimeters of 10% tartaric acid
to the developer solution (after each print) to aid in dissolving the basic
iron salts which form at this stage. I have had no trouble (or very little)
with these stains WHEN I have replishened the acid. Sodium Acetate developer
clears less readily; borax-rochelle salt developer clears more easily.
You may want to add some tartaric acid to the ferric oxalate solution in
order to lower the PH. When the PH is above 1.5, yellow stain occurs
more often. What are you using as a clearing bath?
Another possible problem is the amount of sodium dichromate (or any dichromate)
which is added to the developer to increase contrast. At a certain point-
probably around 20ml of 2% S.D. per liter of developer) - a red precipiate
will form and stain the prints. If this happens, dump the developer and
make a new one with less dichromate.
No matter what, I have found Dick Stephens' book to be THOROUGHLY written,
extremely helpful, and enjoyable to read. Pick it up!
Adam