Hi, The only reason I want to use Amidol, is that I am contact printing 8x10 negs on AZO paper and from what the experts in the group have mentioned is that Amidol and Azo were made for each other. For papers printed under an enlarger, I use normally use Dektol 1:2 or Agfa Neutol WA (still have a 2 liters of the stuff left) when need be.
Cheers, Bogdan 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 gmAmidol 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.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.From personal experience working with Amidol, can anybody quantify "oxidizes rapidly"
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Bogdan Karasek
Montréal, Québec bogdan(at)bogdanphoto.com
Canada www.bogdanphoto.com
"I bear witness"
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