Re: Lith printing

["Bob Parsons" <bobp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jaap Los <imagefotografie@xxxxxx> asked:

>I have still have some questions:
>1. The Sterling paper only comes in 24x30 cm size. Is there an other
>size available in the UK? What is the UK-price?
>2. What is the UK-price of the LD20 developer for 4 litres of stock
>solution?
>3. I noticed that the developer gets exhausted very soon after about 6
>sheets of Sterling 24x30 cm (9 1/2 x 12 "). I now use 35 cc A and 35 cc
>B and add water for one litre (dilution appr. 1+13). Temperature 20 C
>(68 F). I have also used dilution 1 + 20, but developing times are very
>long (over 30 to 40 min. for the last 2 or 3 prints). I have once tried
>to revive the developer by adding 1 teaspoon of each enclosed sachets,
>but that didn't noticably boost up the capacity of the developer. Is
>there an other way to improve the capacity of the developer?
>4. What is the ISBN number of Tim's new book about Lith printing? It is
>not available in Holland. What is the price in the UK?   --

Hi Japp,
Like you I've only just started lith printing IR and am enjoying it immensely.
I'll try to help with some of your questions.

1. You may find a more easily obtainable paper which can give a similar
image tone to Sterling Premium F Lith is Ilford Warmtone FB. The Stirling
paper is also known under the brand name of Stirling Process Lith.
I have the UK based Silverprint '98 catalogue which lists Stirling Process
Lith as being available in:

Size inches         Quantity          Order code    Price UKP (no V.A.T.)
    12 x 16           10                 15923            12.33
    12 x 16           50                 90357            48.77
    20 x 16           10                 93853            18.68
    20 x 16           50                 31931            76.13

Ilford Warmtone FB is available in sizes of 3.5 x 5, 5 x 7, 8 x 10, 9.5 x 12,
11 x 14, 12 x 16, 16 x 20 and 20 x 24 inches.

At the moment I'm using Kentmere Kentona FB paper which gives pink
and magenta tones and responds very well to toning. That's available in
5 x 7, 6.5 x 8.5, 8 x 10, 9.5 x 12, 12 x 16, 20 x 16 inches and surprisingly
A4 size ideal for 35mm.

2. Fotospeed LD20 lith developer (500ml part A, 500ml part B) to make
4 litres of stock solution is listed at 10.75UKP not including V.A.T.

Silverprint have a Speedibrews (brand name) product called "Lithoprint"
developer which they claim achieves similar tonality and image colour
to normal Lith developers using infectious development. They say it has
the advantage of a gradual image buildup with time giving greater control
and without the need to snatch the print out of the developer.  I'll try it
and
let you know the results. Maybe Tim Rudman has already tried this?

Silverprint have a web site:  http://ww.silverprint.co.uk

They will take overseas orders but if you are in the EEC you must add
17.5% V.A.T. to the prices and there is a minimum order value of 25 UKP.
Address: 12 Valentine Place, London SE1 8QH,  tel:+44 (0) 171 620 0844
fax: +44 (0) 171 620 0129

Another London based company with a wide range of specialist papers
and photo chemicals is Process Supplies, 13 - 25 Mount Pleasant,
London WC1X 0AA, tel: +44 (0) 171 837 2179, fax: +44 (0) 171 837 8551
I'm not sure if they'll take overseas orders, I'll find out.

3. Developer exhaustion. I don't know how to extend the capacity of the
developer except that my problem seemed to be slight fogging or veiling
of the highlights and white print edges with a faint pink stain after a few
prints had been processed. Adding a small amount of sodium sulphite
(from the sachets) does help with this problem.

4. Easy!              On Wed, 21 Oct 1998 22:59:10 +0100 "Tim Rudman"
<tim.rudman@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in part:
<snip>
>This is the only book on this lovely process as far as I know, and is called
>'The Master Photographers Lith Printing Course'. It is very instructional
>and illustrated with 160 colour plates. I can send a contents list and book
>specs to anyone who wants. E-MAIL ME PRIVATELY FOR THIS PLEASE
>TO SAVE CLUTTERING THE LIST.

>Details are: UK publisher - Argentum (imprint of Aurum) 19.99 - late
>Nov./early Dec. '98
>US publisher - Amphoto books/Watson Guptill Inc. $29.95  - spring '99
>250 x 240 mm. 128 pp. (Stiffish) paperback with flaps.
>ISBN number 1 902538 02 1

>If anyone would like to order a signed copy from me - hopefully in time for
>Christmas - I will be very happy to oblige, but will have to add something
>towards p&p. Please mail me direct if interested, or I would be happy to
>discuss Lith printing for I-R. through the group as it might be of general
>interest.
<snip>

I believe the UK cover price is 19.99UKP;  UK p&p 2.50UKP, Europe
3.50UKP and US6.50(air mail). I think you can order directly from the
author.

Jaap,  I'm so pleased with the few prints I've done that I'm mounting them
and putting them in good quality metal frames and hanging them where
I see them often. If after a few weeks I still get enjoyment from looking
at a picture then I'll consider it worth keeping. Or, quite often after a time
I can see ways of improving it.
One useful tip I've found when mounting lith prints (or normal prints toned
with selenium) behind glass is to make sure the glass does not have a
green tint to it. It can ruin the delicate pink highlights.

Good luck with the printing !

Kind regards.  Bob Parsons  <bobp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

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