A Few Questions About Selenium Toning

Joenail

Joenail

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Joe
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Hello :D

I've just bought a bottle of Kodak selenium toner, and, not being very confident in my knowledge about it, thought I'd ask a couple of questions so I don't go buggering up many prints. I'm using Ilford MGFB Glossy & Kentmere RC Glossy papers.

- Should it be diluted at 20 degrees like most other b&w chemicals, or does it depend on how quick you want the toning process to happen?

- Is it absolutely necessary to hypo after fix/wash? I'll be toning prints that were made a few weeks ago, so as far as I know all I'll need to do is wash for 5 or so mins before toning.

- What is a sensible dilution for someone who hasn't ever used selenium? I was thinking it'd be best to try a few different ones (1+3, 1+10 & 1+19)

Thanks in advance,

-J


P.S, I'm using it more to increase shadow density with a minor colour shift on a couple of prints & less for its archival properties.
 
Only really works well with FB prints, RC doesn't really work that well. Use at 20 diluted 1+19 for around 2 minutes, results depend on paper/dev you used, I use LPD and ADOX MCC 2 mins is about right for my requirements.
I wash my FB prints, 5 min wash, hypo 2 mins, selenium tone then 25 min wash, or if you are in rush you can mix the toner with the hypo and do the toning/hypo at the same time.
If you don't hypo then an hour wash should do the trick.
RC just a 2 min wash.

MAKE SURE YOU WEAR GLOVES, it's really really REALLY nasty stuff, lasts a long time though.
 
Cheers, Ed. Someone else has told me it doesn't work well with RC paper, but I have that many guff prints on RC that I may as well try it. Not sure if I have any hypo as I don't normally use it so an hour's wash it is!

Thanks again,

-J
 
OH, forgot to ask. What is the ADOX paper like? Been thinking about getting some for a while since it's a bit cheaper than Ilford.
 
Better than anything Ilford has to offer, just do a few searches around APUG etc and you'll see nearly 100% positive comments.
I wouldn't use anything else.
 
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