Re: print washer

[spectrum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx (SPECTRUM)]

On Sat, 5 Jun 1999 10:07:55 -0500, you wrote:

>A friend of mine has one. He inherited it from his grandfather (I can't
>believe how long they have been around). The prints his grandfather washed
>in it (using sodium fixer rather than easier to remove ammonium fixer) still
>look pristine, with no staining even after 40 years.
>Bill

	In the end the condition of the fixing bathes is one of the
most key elements. A fixing bath that leaves residual
argento-thiosulfate complexes will develop a "stained" image
eventually. 
	And of course a print fixed in fresh fixer will develop a
sulfided image if all of the residual thiosulfate is not removed.This
is why so many images from the 1890's-1920's look toned. The worst
case scenario is if their is sufficient residual fixer in the print to
bleach the image. as far as I know there is know way to restore the
image.

Regards,

John S. Douglas          Photographer, webmaster  & darkroom wizard !
Fine wedding and portrait photography     Black & White our specialty.
Spectrum Photographic Inc                http://www.spectrumphoto.com
         Bringing the fine art of photography to your wedding !

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