The problem with Photo-Flo is that it was initially intended for
machine processing and contains an anti-foaming agent. This agent
contains a mixure of fatty acids to prevent the Triton X surfactant
from creating bubbles. Unfortunately if you use too much Photo-Flo
you can get greasy spots on the film. I do not believe LFN contains
this anti-foaming agent.
If you use a lot of PF or LFN you might consider making your own from
the following formula.
Propylene glycol 250 ml
Triton X-100
Water to make 1 liter
Both chemicals can be easily obtained from www.thechemistrystore.com
<http://www.thechemistrystore.com> and are not expensive. There is no
antifoaming agent in this formula. The Triton X is also used in
Kodak's lens cleaner/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* Dennis P <dlp4777@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*To:* pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Sent:* Tue, May 8, 2012 4:37:59 PM
*Subject:* [pure-silver] Re: Weird Film Issue - Part II
On May 8, 2012, at 1:01 PM, Adrienne Moumin wrote:
I am overwhelmed w/all the help and insights from so many of you, I
had a heart full of gratitude while I was attempting to de-film the
film today! (Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to overcome the weird
physics of whatever is at work in this situation!)
Taking into account all the suggestions, I ran the 3-roll Paterson
tank (not Jobo - senior moment there!) thru a 5-minute stop bath
(w/agitation the first 30 sec, then 5 out of each successive 30 sec),
followed by a 7-minute water wash, followed by a
2-minute-full-agitation in distilled water, then a 1-minute
full-agitation in a 2L distilled - 2oz. 70% isopropyl - 3/4 capful
Photoflo mix.
I very gently "finger-squeegeed" 2 of the 3 rolls because I saw all
the Photoflo bubbles sitting on the film's surface (despite my best
efforts to hand and blow-siphon them off in the tank); the 3rd I left
alone as a control of sorts.
To my relief, the small string of beaded dried chemistry is gone, but
the "film: is still there - albeit in new patterns, which gives me
hope that there IS a solution, which I just haven't hit on yet.
Back to CVS for another gallon of distilled, I will try again
tomorrow with plain distilled, unless anyone has a different idea?
Thank you, my friends and fellow photographers-in-crime, this would
be a mighty lonely and frustrating time if not for all of you!
-Adrienne
/Adrienne Moumin
Handmade B&W photographs and photo-collages:/www.picturexhibit.com
<http://www.picturexhibit.com/>
I would reiterate what someone said earlier on. Edwals LFN. I went
through a lot of photo flo problems for years before switching to LFN.
I use 5 drops per liter tap water. No more problems ever.
My method is to put the water and LFN in a glass bread baking dish.
Then when I process film after washing I take the fill off the reel
and by hand run it back and forth through the LFN water.
After which I stretch the film out, one end in each hand, and angle it
and let the water run off till it stops dripping. then hang it up.
Dennis
