[pure-silver] Re: Increasing contrast of a print

Hi richard,

I see, I always assumed them to be the same: the VMI I used was indeed a single 
solution (Mercuric Chloride, Magnesium Sulphate, Potassium Iodone and Sodium 
Sulphite)

Btw thanks for the In-6 formula in your other post!

Best,

Cor


-----Original Message-----
From: pure-silver-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Richard Knoppow
Sent: Sat 16/06/2007 16:44
To: pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [pure-silver] Re: Increasing contrast of a print
 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <C.Breukel@xxxxxxx>
To: <pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2007 6:07 AM
Subject: [pure-silver] Re: Increasing contrast of a print


Hi Richard,

I have use VMI in the past with quite remarkeble results, I 
did not know it was for half tone, the end result was quite 
grainy though.
I safely disposed it, I could not justify to keep it on my 
shelf in the light of it's high toxicity..

Best,

Cor

    VMI is a Mercury intensifier but is not the same as 
Monkhoven's. Monckhoven's uses a Mercuric chloride bleach 
and a redeveloper containing Potassium Cyanide. The Cyanide 
bleaches the weaker parts of the image before the Silver 
nitrate in it has a chance to be deposited. As a result the 
low densities are reduced somewhat while the higher 
densities are very much intensified. I have formula for an 
intensifier which is supposed to be VMI somewhere, I don't 
think it has the Cyanide in it.
    Agfa 330 is an example of a Mercury intensifer which 
does not contain Cyanide. The negative is first bleached in 
the solution given below, then washed in water acidified 
with a few drops of Hydrochloric acid, then redeveloped in a 
bath of 5% Sodium Sulfite (not sulfide) or any standard, 
active, developer (like Dektol).

Agfa 330
Potassium Bromide                    10.0 grams
Mercuric Chloride                    10.0 grams
Water to make                         1.0 liter

For use bleach negatives in the above until bleached to the 
base of the film and re-develop as given above.

I am not recommending this formula. Mercuric Chloride is 
_extremely_ hazardous plus I suspect is very difficult to 
obtain these days. My memory is that VMI is a single 
solution so its probably different from the above.
    The images from Mercury intensifiers are not permanent.

---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

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