What do you mean by that Myron? I use replenished XTOL, and I pre- soak. Am I doing something wrong? I've never given this much thought, but now that you bring it up, I wonder, am I diluting my XTOL with the water from the pre-soak? Is that what you mean?
Elias On Apr 29, 2010, at 8:03 PM, Myron Gochnauer wrote:
Using replenished Xtol, I shudder to think what the developer would look like after a few rolls of 120 film.Myron On 2010-04-29, at 7:05 PM, harry kalish wrote:Quite awhile ago, Ilford stopped recommending a pre-soak because they started building a wetting agent into their film. But it gave me confidence to continue the pre-soak, with the ritualistic tapping of the daylight film tanks on a firm surface to dislodge air bubbles from the surface of the film.Harry On 4/29/10 4:57 AM, "Claudio Bonavolta" <claudio@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:Hi Snoopy,I don't presoak but don't think it harms, provided your development time takes into account the presoaking.I tried it once with 8x10" sheet film and a Jobo paper drum not meant for film development that was giving me severe development streaks. By presoaking, the streaks were significantly reduced although not completely eliminated.For E-6 and a Jobo processor, I don't presoak either but pre-warm the drum with the film inside for 5', woks for me ... In fact, I'm just following the manufacturer's notice (Kodak 6- baths 5-liter kit).Regarding dust, my lab is far from being dust-free and my 3 cats love to sleep on the desk aside the enlargers while I'm working but I must be lucky, I don't have many dust issues. I'm trying to keep the level of humidity around 50% wich reduces the static electricity problems. So dust doesn't make me that schizofrenic ...Claudio Bonavolta http://www.bonavolta.ch ----- Message d'origine ----- De: Snoopy <snoopy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2010 09:48:02 +0200 Sujet: [pure-silver] Re: different films and dust? À: pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Dear All,I was once told ages ago (or did I read it on this list?) that it's aBAD idea to pre-soak b/w film ?Apparently it makes the emulsion swell up and hence it takes LONGER for the chemistry to get from the outside of the emulsion fully into the layer ?Kind of like the worst of both worlds as if you are not careful with draining the rinse water then your developer can get diluted and you getvaryng results.The only films I do pre-rinse are colour films, esp. E-6 to get rid ofthe gunky yellow layer - I have the feeling that it ruins the firstdeveloper quicker, when I leave out the pre-soak - also the pre- rinse for colour is kind of necessary to get all of the gear up to the sametemperature.As for cleanliness: yes this is important. I share the house with at least two permanently resident humans (no jest: people are VERY dusty ! and dirty, their skin flakes off, their clothes produce a lot of dust and bring in all kinds of dirt from outside!) as well as a cat and threedogs of the hairy variety.However I find I have a LOT less problems with dust on my prints and films than other guys in the Photo Club. Just make sure you aleway keepthe doors closed etc. I don't usually have to "spot" my prints orsimilar. All spick-and-span. It's all about being an A-R German, I guess:-)I am very happy that I don't have to spend loads of cash on Photoshopplugins like DeSpeckle, heckle, heckle, heckle :-) Love, Snoopy
