[pure-silver] Re: Selectol Soft comments
- From: "J.R. Stewart" <jrstewart@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2004 12:47:01 -0400
This may not be that relevant as I'm not sure what the original question
was.
If you're looking for a soft paper developer with reasonable tray life and
decent capacity, try Ansco 130 as modified by Ansel Adams. Formula in Photo
Lab Index (in addition, I replace Na Bromide with benzotriazole, 15cc 1% /
liter of dev solution). Now I only use A120 when I want a bit more
contrast.
Ansco 130 M (diluted 1+2) is softer than Ansco 120 (up to 1+4 dilution) by
about .3 log scale for normal paper. It lasts several days in the tray when
you take decent precautions (I cover it with Saran Wrap during down times).
And is much high capacity than A120 (it seems..no quantitate measure here,
but when I use A120 I really have to watch emergent time because any delays
tell me it's about to become exhausted. No such worry with A130M).
Well worth the cost of the Glycin, which I find I can easily keep for
several months in powder form. Yea, it's a bit brown at the end of that, but
it's still very active.
Hope this helps.
JR Stewart
----- Original Message -----
From: "Koch, Gerald" <gkoch02@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 9:27 AM
Subject: [pure-silver] Re: Selectol Soft comments
> The following formula is suggested as being close to that of Selectol =
> Soft.
>
> Distilled water (50=B0C) ................ 750 ml
> Metol ................................. 6.0 g=20
> Sodium sulfite (anhy) ................. 25.0 g=20
> Sodium carbonate (mono) ............... 37.0 g=20
> Potassium bromide ..................... 0.5 g=20
> Distilled water to make ............... 1.0 l=20
>
> Jerry
> > ----- Original Message -----=20
> From: "Charlie Thorsten" <charlie_thorsten@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Saturday, October 16, 2004 12:14 PM
> Subject: [pure-silver] Selectol Soft comments
>
>
>> I've been working everyday with Selectol Soft
>> for over a month now, and I've come up with a
>> few distinct impressions of this print developer
>> that others might find useful. FYI, I've been
>> printing with Ilford MGFB Warmtone glossy.
>>
>> First, in addition to being lower contrast, the
>> image is not as sharp either. If you develop
>> the same print in Dektol/Neutol/Multigrade
>> developer, grain and fine detail will be rendered
>> "crisper". That said, I've found it to be a
>> wonderful developer for large 35mm portraits
>> because it softens the grain of the image just
>> enough to produce a pleasing effect. It's not
>> "fuzzy" or blurry or anything. Just not as
>> high acutance. It gives very smooth tones.
>>
>> Second, tray life is relatively short. Ansel
>> says in The Print that Selectol Soft has about
>> half the capacity of Dektol for a given amount
>> of stock solution. I tend to agree with that
>> statement. Fresh solution is capable of very
>> rich blacks, but that's the first thing to
>> weaken as the developer starts to get exhausted.
>> I've found I can continue to print if I
>> replenish it with a bit of stock solution poured
>> straight into the tray (maybe 1/2L to 1L). Don't
>> even think about leaving it overnight to use the
>> next day! It oxidizes very quickly.
>>
>> I've found the contrast difference to be about
>> 1.5 grades softer than Dektol/Neutol. However,
>> a print at Grade 2 in Dektol is not identical
>> to a Grade 3.5 in Selectol Soft, even though the
>> overall contrast will be similar. SS keeps the
>> middle values "softer" (hence the name?) even
>> at higher contrasts.
>>
>> And this is what I like about it for portraits.
>> This has been a new printing experience for me
>> since I've normally been a large format "Rocks,
>> Roots & Rivers" kinda guy. I'm printing this
>> project for another photographer who's publishing
>> a book of this work next summer.
>>
>> Happy printing everyone!!
>>
>> -Charlie
>>
>>
> You may be interested that Ansco/Agfa 120 is very=20
> similar, if not identical, to Kodak Selectol Soft. There is=20
> no published formula for Selectol Soft but its approzimate=20
> constituents can be discovered from the MSDS. Here is the=20
> Anso/Agfa formula for mix-your-own types who would like to=20
> try it.
>
> Agfa/Ansco 120 Soft Working Paper Developer Stock Solution
> Water (at 125F or 52C) 750.0 ml
> Metol 12.3 grams
> Sodium sulfite, dessicated 36.0 grams
> Sodium Carbonate, monohydrated 36.0 grams
> Potassium bromide 1.8 grams
> Water to make 1.0 liter
>
> If Sodium carbonate, anhydrous is used the amount is
> 31 grams
>
> Dilute 1:1 to 1:3 for use.
> More bromide can be added if desired for somewhat warmer=20
> tones.
>
> I also suggest trying Kodak Ektaflo Type-2. This is a=20
> liquid concentrate which is similar to the now discontinued=20
> Ektonol developer. Kodak won't release the formula for=20
> Ektonol but it was similar to Selectol except it contains=20
> metaborate in the form of Borax and Sodium Hydroxide. It is=20
> more active than Selectol Soft but is a good warm tone=20
> developer.
>
> ---
> Richard Knoppow
> Los Angeles, CA, USA
> dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=20
>
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
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