Benzo with old paper

[ChrisN]

Tom, I have your advice on using benzo with old film to reduce fog (found here).

I've been given some old paper, some very slightly fogged and some that develops (unexposed) at somewhat darker than middle grey. What dose do you suggest in my paper developer? I'm using Ilford multigrade.

Thanks! 🙂

 

[Tom A]

I mix the Benzo with hot water in 1% solution. I gram - 100 ml of hot water. For film I use 5-7 ml/1000 ml developer. Any more and the film-speed drops!!!
For paper you can add 10ml/1000 developer and check. You can add more - but as old paper usually already is slow - it will become REALLY slow ( usually double or triple exposure).
I did some stuff with GAF India tone that was about 35 years out-off-date, and it worked, though it still had some edge fog. The added Benzo also gives a deeper black - which can be nice.

 

[ChrisN]

Thanks Tom. Does the 1% solution keep? I'm thinking it's easier to get a more accurate solution with 10gm in a litre and just as easy to store, if it keeps well.

Some of the boxes I've been given go back to 1989; it would be great if I can get some good use out of them. What else is old, fogged paper good for?

 

[Tom A]

the solution seems to keep for at least 5-6 month. I would use distilled water though if you intend to keep it that long.

 

[ChrisN]

Tom - thanks again. 15ml in 1 litre of developer seems to be doing the trick on the slightly fogged paper - I have 200 sheets of that to go through before I need to try the older boxes - cheers!