Re: stop bath

["Jason Revell (in5)" <jason.revell@xxxxxxxxx>]

> I've never used water as a stop bath, because it really doesn't stop the
> development, but slows it down.  When developing film, I feel the need to
> stop the development precisely.
>
> However, if you insist, water can be used as an intermediary step between
> the developer and the fix.  The problem is that not using a real stop bath
> will definitely reduce the capacity of your fixer.  The stop bath not only
> stops the development, but also neutralizes the components from your
> developer, thus extending the lifetime of your fixer.  Not using a stop
> bath really isn't the recommended practice.
>
> Cheers -
>
> george

I can not use a stop-bath when processing our 5x4 film as their is
insufficient space in the darkroom for another 3 gallon tank (I already have
3 and 4, 8 gallon tanks) So I have to use a wash for the film in between dev
and fix.  As commented on this does mean the fix will not last as long and
development will not stop immediately.  However I have never found this to
be much of a problem (apart from buying more fix).

However I would VERY strongly recommend the use of a stopbath for printing
as, especially with FB paper, the carryover is greatly increased.  When at
college we sometimes had to use water instead of stop (when they had run out
I think!) and we changed it after about 4 sheets of paper and you need to
check the fix often to make sure the pH is still O.K. and that it is not to
contaminated.

Jason
jason.revell@xxxxxxxxx

*
****
*******
******************************************************
*  To remove yourself from this list, send:          *
*         UNSUBSCRIBE INFRARED                       *
*       to                                           *
*         MAJORDOMO@xxxxx                            *
*----------------------------------------------------*
*   For the IR-FAQ, IR-Gallery and heaps of links:   *
*  http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/mainpage.htm  *
******************************************************