[pure-silver] Re: Amidol and oxidization: Oops!

Hi!  Amidol is my paper developer for
the few graded papers that remain.  I use the
'teaspoon' formula found in the cookbook
and mix up half the amount for a printing
session.  The prints are all 5x7.  It should last
4 to 6 hours if it's not to warm.    Best, Rich

On May 23, 2009 10:44 AM, "Jean-David Beyer" <jeandavid8@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Jean-David Beyer wrote:

> Bogdan Karasek wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> Again,,  a Thank You to all who responded to my query concerning AZO and
>> fogging.  Very helpful responses but which lead me to other questions
>> concerning AMIDOL which was mentioned as THE developer for AZO.   I've order
>> a quantity of Amidol from my supplier and will be using the formula found on
>> Michael A. Smith's web site.
>>
>> I've done some further research into the p[properties of Amidol which I
>> have never used before.   Looking through the "Darkroom CookBook", Anchell
>> mentions, as have others on this group,  that Amidol oxidizes easily and
>> should be mixed just before usage.
>>
>> The question I have concerning AMIDOL regards the following  from
>> the"CookBook":   "Oxidizes rapidly and keeps poorly"
>>
>> Can anybody quantify "rapidly"
>>
>
> It may vary depending upon the formula you use. I use the following:
>
> Water around 100F      1300 ml
> Sodium sulfite           50 gm
> Citric acid crystal       8 gm
> Benzotriazole 1%         50 ml (depends on the paper)
>
> When cool (room temperature) add
> Amidol                   17 gm
>

Water to                 2000 ml.


> Amidol is quite soluble and does not need to be dissolved in hot water. Hot
> water only makes it oxidize faster. The citric acid is to make it last
> longer.
>
> I find it lasts several hours -- perhaps three. After that, it may still be
> good, but it gets dark and I worry about staining.
>
>> My usual darkroom work practice when using Dektol is to mix a 4 liter
>> batch of 1:2 Dektol and that sits in a large tray for at least 8-10 hours as
>> I print, after which I dump it when I am finished at the end of the day
>> What about Amidol????  How long will that keep in an open tray before it
>> oxidizes and I have to dump it.... 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours or what?  Am I
>> better off mixing a small batch, 1.5L  and changing often,   or will a  3L
>> batch last longer????
>>
>
> I guess if you want to make a larger batch, mix up the other stuff in the
> morning, and then divide it into two or three parts, adding the amidol just
> before you use it.
>
>>  From personal experience working with Amidol, can anybody quantify
>> "oxidizes rapidly"
>>
>>  When all is said and done, using papers such as Ilfobrom, Oriental
> Seagull, Ilford Galerie, Kodak Elite, it is not worth the trouble and
> expense of using Amidol. N.B.: I cannot say how it works on Azo paper and
> would defer to the experts.
>
>

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