Topic: Does anyone have a toner they can recommend?

[Jeff Warden]

I've finally made it to the bottom of my first and only toner bottle, which is the Selenium toner from Ilford.  I've been satisfied with it mostly, and use it on Ilford's warm tone rc and fb  papers.  It's an easy to use toner and the results can be seen in 30 seconds or so which I like.  The only problem I've had is with a purple cast if I tone for too long.  

This is a good time for me to try something different, so if you have a toner that helps with archival concerns and adds depth to the dark values without adding much color I'd enjoy hearing about it.

Thanks!

Jeff

[Francois]

Selenium is pretty much the best thing in town for that.

But there are also other things that make prints archival. Sepia toner makes prints archival... but you have to love the color, two bath process and horrible smell to really love it. But it does work well and doesn't color the paper base.

There's also gold toner for the ultimate in archival quality... but price is a big issue with this one.

I don't know if tetenal still makes their poly-toner kits. They won't improve the archival quality but can give some definitely funky results.

[Jeff Warden]

Thanks Francois,  I guess I'll just pick up some more Ilford Selenium.

Best,

Jeff

[LT]

if you are into toning,   buy this book - you won't regret it.

[Jeff Warden]

Excellent!  I just ordered it.  Thanks, Leon.  I looked at the table of contents and it looks very interesting indeed.

Jeff

[Francois]

What really bums me out is when you look at all the great products that have disappeared nowadays. And some of the stuff is just available on special order. Like toning paper developers, blue toner, red toner, solarising toners...

[LT]

the answer is to get the darkroom cook book and mix your own.  Its really simple to do, and quite satisfying.

[Francois]

I just checked my notes and I have 41 different formulas on paper... I guess it's enough

[Jeff Warden]

Leon the toning book you recommended arrived today and it looks excellent.  Thankfully there are many color illustrations showing the results of toning.  This will be fun.   

Thanks,

Jeff

[Francois]

Does that mean we've made a William Mortensen out of you?

OK, that was a totally nerdy pun related to his color photographs made using a special toner based process.

(If you like toning, check out the Metalchrome process... quite interesting)

[LT]

You won't regret getting the book.  I regularly see Tim's prints in the flesh ... he REALLY knows what he is talking about