Filmwasters

Which Board? => Main Forum => Topic started by: astrobeck on June 18, 2010, 07:25:36 PM

Title: Hypo clear, photo flo or both???
Post by: astrobeck on June 18, 2010, 07:25:36 PM

Just curious about other's dark room routines...

Are you using both hypo clear and photo flo, or just one or the other.

Thanks! 

and Happy Friday!

Title: Re: Hypo clear, photo flo or both???
Post by: Francois on June 18, 2010, 07:41:53 PM

Both do different jobs.
Hypo clear... I've never used. This is mainly for those who print on Barita paper. On RC and film, it's not as useful since the hypo doesn't tend to leach into the base.

Photo flo is a must for me. Prevents a lot of spots on the film.

Title: Re: Hypo clear, photo flo or both???
Post by: astrobeck on June 18, 2010, 07:52:57 PM

I'm a Photo-flo user too, and I can't live without it either !!!  :) :) :)

But was reading about archival and pH quality of negs using the Hypo clear...so I need some input from those who might be using it.

It may be a step I need to add to my routine.

Thanks!  :)

Title: Re: Hypo clear, photo flo or both???
Post by: sapata on June 18, 2010, 08:19:10 PM

Never used photo flo-but i'm quite interested on using it... I'll be following this topic.

Title: Re: Hypo clear, photo flo or both???
Post by: LT on June 18, 2010, 10:53:13 PM

there really is absolutely no need to use hypoclear with negs.  Fibre paper - absolutely yes, negatives, not at all. fresh fixer followed by the Ilford wash routine is perfectly fine for long-lived negs.

I mix my own hypo clear from a teaspoon of sodium sulphite disolved in 600 or so mls of warm water and use this when I'm printing.  Much cheaper than a proprietary solution,

I use tetenal wetting agent or ilfotol instead of photoflo - but they are much of a muchness really.   

Title: Re: Hypo clear, photo flo or both???
Post by: original_ann on June 18, 2010, 11:04:02 PM

Hmmm... I do hypo clear my negs.  I use Heico's Perma Wash as my hypo clearing agent and then during the final rinse I use photoflo. 

Title: Re: Hypo clear, photo flo or both???
Post by: astrobeck on June 19, 2010, 01:41:52 AM

thanks for all the replies so far....

Ann- since you use hypo clear, why do you use it and do you ever not use it?
Everyone has their own tips and tricks in the darkroom and I'm just trying to wade through it all and make the best negatives I can.

Maybe I should just stop reading the sales ads at Freestyle  ;)

Thanks again all!

Title: Re: Hypo clear, photo flo or both???
Post by: moominsean on June 19, 2010, 11:28:33 AM

hypo just reduces rinsing time, i believe. i dont use it, i just rinse for 30 minutes with a low volume faucet. i do use photoflo to keep water spots to a minimum.

Title: Re: Hypo clear, photo flo or both???
Post by: carolmikkelson on June 20, 2010, 05:04:57 PM

I use hypo clear, it greatly reduces the water needed to rinse.  I'm into saving water.  I always use photo-flo and sometimes if my negs get dirty I will run them back through the photo-flo.

Title: Re: Hypo clear, photo flo or both???
Post by: original_ann on June 21, 2010, 12:45:35 AM

astrobeck - yes, what others are saying - it eliminates the need to run the rinse water for so long.  Not only 'green' thing to do, but speeds up the process :)

Title: Re: Hypo clear, photo flo or both???
Post by: LT on June 24, 2010, 04:03:05 PM

If you follow the ilford recommended washing technique, it only takes 3 litres of water to wash films in the typical 2 reel patterson type tank. No need for extended periods me running water. And no need to use unnecessary chemicals that require substantial washing out themselves.