Henley's Twentieth Century Formulas, Recipes and Processes
Part 96
I.—Pure water 32 ounces Sulphite soda, crystals 8 ounces Carbonate potassium, dry 1 ounce
II.—Pure water 24 ounces Oxalic acid 15 ounces Pyrogallic acid 1 ounce
To develop, take of
Solution No. I. 1 ounce Solution No. II. 1/2 ounce Pure water 3 ounces
When the plate is fully developed, if the lights are too thin, use less water in the developer; if too dense, use more water.
«Pyro and Metol Developer.»—Good for short exposures:
I.—Pure water 57 ounces Sulphite soda, crystals 2 1/2 ounces Metol 1 ounce
II.—Pure water 57 ounces Sulphite soda, crystals 2 1/2 ounces Pyrogallic acid 1/4 ounce
III.—Pure water 57 ounces Carbonate potassium 2 1/2 ounces
To develop, take of
Pure water 3 ounces Solution No. I. 1 ounce Solution No. II. 1 ounce Solution No. III. 1 ounce
This developer may be used repeatedly by adding a little fresh developer as required.
Keep the used developer in a separate bottle.
«Rodinal Developer.»—One part rodinal to 30 parts pure water.
Use repeatedly, adding fresh as required.
«Bromo-Hydrochinon Developer.»—For producing great contrast and intensity, also for developing over-exposed plates.
I.—Distilled or ice water 25 ounces Sulphite of soda, crystals 3 ounces Hydrochinon 1/2 ounce Bromide of potassium 1/4 ounce
Dissolve by warming, and let cool before use.
II.—Water 25 ounces Carbonate of soda, crystals 6 ounces
Mix Nos. I and II, equal parts, for use.
«Eikonogen Hydrochinon Developer.»—
I.—Distilled or pure well water 32 ounces Sodium sulphite, crystals 4 ounces Eikonogen 240 grains Hydrochinon 60 grains
II.—Water 32 ounces Carbonate of potash 4 ounces
To develop, take
No. I. 2 ounces No. II. 1 ounce †Water 1 ounce
──────────────────────────── † For double-coated plates use 5 ounces of water.
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By hydrometer:
I.—Sodium sulphite, solution to test 30 34 ounces Eikonogen 240 grains Hydrochinon 60 grains
II.—Carbonate of potash solution to test 50
To develop, take
No. I. 2 ounces No. II. 1 ounce ‡Water 1 ounce
──────────────────────────── ‡ For double-coated plates use 5 ounces of water.
«Hydrochinon Developer.»—
I.—Hydrochinon 1 ounce Sulphite of soda, crystals 5 ounces Bromide of potassium 10 grains Water (ice or distilled) 55 ounces
II.—Caustic potash 180 grains Water 10 ounces
To develop:
Take of I, 4 ounces; II, 1/2 ounce. After use pour into a separate bottle. This can be used repeatedly, and with uniformity of results, by the addition of 1 drachm of I and 10 drops of II to every 8 ounces of old developer.
In using this developer it is important to notice the temperature of the room, as a slight variation in this respect causes a very marked difference in the time it takes to develop, much more so than with pyro. The temperature of room should be from 70° to 75° F.
«Metol Developer.»—
I.—Water 8 ounces Metol 100 grains Sulphite of soda, crystals 1 ounce
II.—Water 10 ounces Potassium carbonate 1 ounce
Take equal parts of I and II and 6 parts of water. If more contrast is needed, take equal parts of I and II and 3 parts of water, with 5 drops to the ounce of a 1/10 solution of bromide of potassium.
«Metol and Hydrochinon Developer.—»
I.—Pure hot water 80 ounces Metol 1 ounce Hydrochinon 1/8 ounce Sulphite soda, crystals 6 ounces
II.—Pure water 80 ounces Carbonate soda, crystals 5 ounces
To develop, take of
Pure water 2 ounces Solution No. I 1 ounce Solution No. II 1 ounce
«Metol-Bicarbonate Developer.»—Thoroughly dissolve
Metol 1 ounce In water 60 ounces
Then add
Sulphite of soda, crystals 6 ounces Bicarbonate of soda 3 ounces
To prepare with hydrometer, mix
Sulphite of soda solution, testing 75 30 ounces Bicarbonate of soda solution, testing 50 30 ounces Metol 1 ounce
Dissolved in 12 ounces water.
«Ferrous-Oxalate Developer.»—For transparencies and opals.
I.—Oxalate of potash 8 ounces Water 30 ounces Citric acid 60 grains Citrate of ammonia solution 2 ounces
II.—Sulphate of iron 4 ounces Water 32 ounces Sulphuric acid 16 drops
III.—Citrate of ammonia solution saturated.
Dissolve 1 ounce citric acid in 5 ounces distilled water, add liquor ammonia until a slip of litmus paper just loses the red color, then add water to make the whole measure 8 ounces.
Add 1 ounce of II to 2 of I, and 1/2 ounce of water, and 3 to 6 drops of 10 per cent solution bromide potassium.
To develop, first rinse developing dish with water, lay film or plate down, and flow with sufficient developer to well cover. Careful attention must be given to its action, and when detail is just showing in the face, or half-tone lights in a view, pour off developer, and well wash the film before placing in the fixing bath.
«Tolidol Developer.»—Standard formula for dry plates and films:
Water 16 ounces Tolidol 24 grains Sodium sulphite 72 (144) grains Sodium carbonate 96 (240) grains
The figures in parenthesis are for crystals. It will be seen that in every case {526} the weight of sulphite required in crystals is double that of dry sulphite, while the weight of carbonate crystals is 2 1/2 times as much as dry carbonate.
For tank development Dr. John M. Nicol recommends the standard formula diluted with 6 times the amount of water, and the addition of 1 drop of retarder to every ounce after dilution.
To obtain very strong negatives:
Water 16 ounces Tolidol 50 to 65 grains Sodium sulphite 80 (160) grains Sodium carbonate 120 (300) grains
On some brands of plates the addition of a little retarder will be necessary.
If stock solutions are preferred, they may be made as follows:
_Solution A_
Water 32 ounces Tolidol 1 ounce Sodium sulphite 1 (2) ounce
_Solution B_
Water 32 ounces Sodium sulphite 2 (4) ounces
_Solution C_
Water 32 ounces Sodium carbonate 4 (10) ounces
If preferred, stock solutions _B_ and _C_ can be made by hydrometer, instead of by weight as above. The solutions will then show:
_Solution B_
Sodium sulphite 40
_Solution C_
Sodium carbonate 75
Or if potassium carbonate is preferred instead of sodium:
_Solution C_
Potassium carbonate 60
For standard formula for dry plates and films, mix
Solution _A_ 1 part Solution _B_ 1 part Solution _C_ 1 part Water 7 parts
For strong negatives (for aristo-platino):
Solution _A_ 1 1/2 to 2 parts Solution _B_ 1 part Solution _C_ 1 part Water 4 to 4 1/2 parts
For tank development:
Solution _A_ 1 part Solution _B_ 1 part Solution _C_ 1 part Water 35 parts
For developing paper:
Solution _A_ 2 parts Solution _B_ 2 parts Solution _C_ 1 part
The reading of the hydrometer for stock solutions is the same whether dried chemicals or crystals are used. No water is used.
«Pyrocatechin-Phosphate Developer.»—
_Solution A_
Crystallized sulphite of soda 386 grains Pyrocatechin 77 grains Water 8 ounces
_Solution B_
Ordinary crystal phosphate of sodium 725 grains Caustic soda (purified in sticks) 77 grains Water 8 ounces
Mix 1 part of _A_ with 1 part of _B_ and from 1 to 3 parts of water. If the exposure is not absolutely normal we recommend to add to the above developer a few drops of a solution of bromide of potassium (1.10).
«Pyrocatechin Developer» (One Solution).—Dissolve in the following range:
Sulphite of soda crystallized 25 1/2 drachms Caustic soda (purified in sticks) 3 1/2 drachms Distilled water 14 ounces Pyrocatechin 308 grains
The pyrocatechin must not be added until the sulphite and caustic soda are entirely dissolved. For use the concentrated developer is to be diluted with from 10 to 20 times as much water. The normal proportion is 1 part of developer in 15 parts of water.
«Vogel’s Pyrocatechin Combined Developer and Fixing Solution.»—
Sulphite of soda crystallized 468 grains Water 2 5/8 ounces Caustic potash (purified in sticks) 108 grains Pyrocatechin 108 grains
Mix for a formally fixing plate of 5 x 7 inches.
Developer 3 drachms Fixing soda solution (1:5) 5 1/2 drachms Water 1 ounce
The process of developing and fixing with this solution is accomplished in a {527} few minutes. The picture first appears usually, strengthens very quickly, and shortly after the fixing is entirely done.
«Ellon’s Pyrocatechin Developer.»—Pyrocatechin, 2 per cent solution (2 grams pyrocatechin in 100 cubic centimeters of water).
Carbonate of potassium, 10 per cent solution (10 grams carbonate in 100 cubic centimeters of water).
For use take equal parts and add water as desired.
«Imperial Standard Pyro Developer.»—
I.—Metabisulphite of potassium 120 grains Pyrogallic acid 55 grains Bromide of potassium 20 grains Metol 45 grains Water 20 ounces
II.—Carbonate of soda 4 ounces Water 20 ounces
For use mix equal parts I and II.
«Bardwell’s Pyro-Acetone Developer.»—
Water 4 ounces Sulphite of sodium (saturated solution) 4 drachms Acetone 2 drachms Pyro 10 grams
«Hauff’s Adurol Developer.»—One solution.
Water 10 ounces Sulphide of sodium, crystals 4 ounces Carbonate of potassium 3 ounces Adurol 1/2 ounce
For studio work and snap shots take 1 part with 3 parts water.
For time exposures out-door take 1 part with 5 parts water.
«Glycin Developer.»—
I.—Hot water 10 ounces Sulphite of sodium, crystals 1 1/4 ounces Carbonate of sodium 1/4 ounce Glycin 1/2 ounce
Add to water in order given
II.—Water 10 ounces Carbonate of potash 1 1/4 ounces
For normal exposure take I, 1 ounce; II, 2 ounces; water, 1 ounce.
«Imogen Developer.»—
I.—Hot water 9 ounces Sulphite of sodium, crystals 385 grains Imogen 123 grains
II.—Hot water 4 1/2 ounces Carbonate of sodium 2 ounces
For use take 2 ounces of I and 1 ounce of II.
«Diogen Developer.»—
Water 9 ounces Sulphite of sodium 3 1/2 ounces Diogen 7 drachms Carbonate of potassium 4 1/2 ounces
For normal exposure take 4 drachms of this solution; dilute with 2 ounces, 1 drachm of water, and add 2 drops bromide of potassium, 10 per cent solution.
«Ortol Developer.»—Formula by Pentlarge.
I.—Water 1 ounce Metabisulphite of potassium 4 grains Ortol 8 grains
II.—Water 1 ounce Sulphite of sodium 48 grains Carbonate of potassium 16 grains Carbonate of sodium 32 grains
For use take equal parts I and II, and an equal bulk of water.
«Metacarbol Developer.»—
Metacarbol 25 grains Sulphite of soda, crystals 100 grains Caustic soda 50 grains Water 10 ounces
Dissolve the metacarbol in water, then add the sulphite, and when dissolved add the caustic soda and filter.
«DEVELOPING POWDERS.»
By weight I.—Pyrogallol 0.3 parts Sodium bisulphite 1.2 parts Sodium carbonate 1.2 parts
II.—Eikonogen 1.1 parts Sodium sulphite 2.4 parts Potassium carbonate 1.5 parts
III.—Hydroquinone 0.6 parts Sodium sulphite 3.4 parts Potassium bromide 0.3 parts Sodium carbonate 7.0 parts
These three formulas each yield one powder. The powders should be put up in oiled paper, and carefully inclosed, besides, in a wrapper of black paper. For use, one powder is dissolved in about 60 parts of distilled water.
«DEVELOPING PAPERS.»
Light.—The paper can be safely handled 8 feet from the source of light, {528} which may be Welsbach gas light, covered with post-office paper, incandescent light, ordinary gas light, kerosene light, or reduced daylight, the latter produced by covering a window with one or more thicknesses of orange post-office paper, as necessitated by strength of light.
Expose by holding the printing frame close to gas, lamp, or incandescent light, or to subdued daylight. Artificial light is recommended in preference to daylight because of uniformity, and it being in consequence easier to judge the proper length of time to expose.
Exposure.—The amount of exposure required varies with the strength of the light; it takes about the same time with an ordinary gas burner and an incandescent light; a Welsbach gas light requires only about one-half as much time as the ordinary gas burner, and a kerosene light of ordinary size about three times as much as an ordinary gas burner. If daylight is to be used the window should be covered with post-office paper, in which a sub-window about 1 foot square for making the exposure may be made. Cover this window first with a piece of white tissue paper, then with a piece of black cloth or post-office paper to exclude the white light when not wanted. Make exposure according to strength of light at from 1 to 2 feet away from the tissue paper. Keep the printing frame when artificial light is used constantly in motion during exposure.
Timing the Exposure.—The time necessary for exposing is regulated by density of negative and strength of light. The further away the negative is from the source of light at the time of exposure the weaker the light; hence, in order to secure uniformity in exposure it is desirable always to make the exposure at a given distance from the light used. With a negative of medium density exposed 1 foot from an ordinary gas burner, from 1 to 10 minutes’ exposure is required.
A test to ascertain the length of exposure should be made. Once the proper amount of exposure is ascertained with a given light, the amount of exposure required can be easily approximated by making subsequent exposures at the same distance from the same light; the only difference that it would then be necessary to make would be to allow for variation in density of different negatives.
Fixing.—Allow the prints to remain in the fixing solution 10 to 20 minutes, when they should be removed to a tray containing clear water.
Washing.—Wash 1 hour in running water, or in 10 or 12 changes of clear water, allowing prints to soak 2 to 3 minutes in each change.
«Pyrocatechin Formula.»—
_Solution A_
Pyrocatechin 2 parts Sulphite of soda, crystals 2.5 parts Water 100 parts
_Solution B_
Carbonate of soda 10 parts Water 100 parts
Before using mix 20 parts of Solution A, and 1/2 part of Solution B.
«Metol Quinol.»—
Water 10 ounces Metol 7 grains Sodium sulphite, crystals, pure 1/2 ounce Hydroquinone 30 grains Sodium carbonate, dessicated (or 400 grains of crystallized carbonate). 200 grains Ten per cent bromide of potassium solution, about 10 drops
«Amidol Formula.»—
Water 4 ounces Sodium sulphite, crystals, pure 200 grains Amidol, about 20 grains Ten per cent bromide of potassium solution, about 5 drops
If the blacks are greenish, add more amidol; if whites are grayish, add more bromide of potassium.
«Hypo-Acid Fixing Bath.»—
Hypo 16 ounces Water 64 ounces
Then add the following hardening solution:
Water 5 ounces Sodium sulphite, crystals 1/2 ounce Commercial acetic acid (containing 25 per cent pure acid) 3 ounces Powdered alum 1/2 ounce
«Amidol Developer.»—
Amidol 2 grains Sodium sulphite 30 grains Potassium bromide 1 grain Water 1 ounce
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With a fairly correct exposure this will be found to produce prints of a rich black tone, and of good quality. The whole secret of successful bromide printing lies in correctness of exposure. It is generally taken for granted that any poor, flat negative is good enough to yield a bromide print, but this is not so. A negative of good printing quality on printing-out paper will also yield a good print on bromide paper, but considerable care and skill are necessary to obtain a good result from a poor negative. The above developer will not keep in solution, and should be freshly prepared as required. The same formula will also be found useful for the development of lantern plates, but will only yield black-toned slides.
«PLATINUM PAPERS:»
«General Instructions.»—To secure the most brilliant results the sensitized paper, before, during, and after its exposure to light, must be kept as dry as possible.
The paper is exposed to daylight, in the printing frame, for about one-third of the time necessary for ordinary silver paper.
The print is then immersed in the developer for about 30 seconds, then cleared in 3 acid baths containing 1 part of muriatic acid C. P. to 60 parts of water, washed for a short time in running water, the whole operation of printing, clearing, and washing being complete in about half an hour.
As a general rule all parts of the picture except the highest lights should be visible when the exposure is complete.
When examining the prints in the printing frames, care should be taken not to expose them unduly to light; for the degradation of the whites of the paper due to slight action of light is not visible until after development.
«Ansco Platinum Paper.»—Print until a trace of the detail _desired_ is slightly visible in the high lights.
_Development._—Best results are obtained with the temperature of the developer from 60° to 80° F. Immerse the print in the developer with a quick sweeping motion to prevent air bells. Develop in artificial or weak daylight. The development of a print from a normal negative will require 40 seconds or more.
Formula for Developer.—
Water 50 ounces Neutral oxalate of potash 8 ounces Potassium phosphate (monobasic) 1 ounce
Care must be used to obtain the monobasic potassium phosphate.
Immediately after prints are developed, place them face down in the first acid bath, composed of
Muriatic acid, C. P. 1 ounce Water 60 ounces
After remaining in this bath for a period of about 5 minutes, transfer to the second acid bath of the same strength. The prints should pass through at least 3 and preferably 4 acid baths, to remove all traces of iron that may remain in the pores of the paper.
When thoroughly cleared, the print should be washed from 10 to 20 minutes in running water. If running water is not available, several changes of water in the tray will be necessary.
«“Water Tone” Platinum Paper.»—“Water tone” platinum paper is very easily affected by moisture; it will, therefore, be noticed when printing in warm, damp weather that the print will show quite a tendency to print out black in the deep shadows. This must not be taken into consideration, as the same amount of exposure is necessary as in dry days.
Print by direct light (sunlight preferred) until the shadows are clearly outlined in a deep canary color. At this stage the same detail will be observed in the half tones that the finished print will show. For developing, use plain water, heated to 120° F. (which will be as hot as they can bear).
The development will be practically instantaneous, and care must be taken to avoid air bubbles forming upon the surface of the prints. Place prints, after developing, directly into a clearing bath of muriatic acid, 1 drachm to 12 ounces of water, and let them remain in this bath about 10 minutes, when they are ready for the final washing of 15 minutes in running water, or 5 changes of about 3 minutes each. Lay out between blotters to dry, and mount by attaching the corners.
«Bradley Platinum Paper.»—Developer.
A.—For black tones:
Neutral oxalate potassium 8 ounces Potassium phosphate 1 ounce Water 30 ounces
B.—For sepia tones:
Of above mixed solution 8 ounces Saturated bichloride mercury solution 1 ounce Citrate soda 5 grains
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If deep red tones are desired add to B
Nitrate uranium 10 grains
Then filter and use as a developer.
«W. & C. Platinotype.»—Development.—The whole contents of the box of the W. & C. developing salts must be dissolved at one time, as the salts are mixed; and if this be not done, too large a proportion of one of the ingredients may be used.
Development should be conducted in a feeble white light, similar to that used when cutting up the paper, or by gas light.
It may take place immediately after the print is exposed, or at the end of the day’s printing.
Develop by floating the print, exposed side downwards, on the developing solution.
Development may take 30 seconds or more.
During the hot summer days it is not advisable to unduly delay the development of exposed prints. If possible develop within 1 hour after printing.
Either porcelain or agate—preferably porcelain—dishes are necessary to hold the developing solution.
To clear the developed prints: These must be washed in a series of baths (not less than three) of a weak solution of muriatic acid C. P. This solution is made by mixing 1 part of acid in 60 parts of water.