Dish cleaning deterget instead of photoflo?

Arjay

Arjay

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I read somewhere that photoflo basically works the same way like normal dish washing detergent. Is that correct?

Since my local tap water is very hard, I feel it might be a good idea to use some detergent in the final film washing step befor I hang the film to dry.

Can I substitute photoflo with above detergent, and if yes, how much should I use?
 
All for the sake of a couple of cents per roll?

I bought a 1L bottle and I need 4 mL every time I develop 3 rolls of film (mixing with about 900mL of water).
 
Hunghang is right. I'm still using up a litre of Agepon I bought years ago.

Also, I'd use distilled/de-ionized water for the last wash. My wash sequence is: Ilford sequence with tap water (5-10-20 inversions), final wash in distilled water (20 inversions), 30 sec. in 250ml distilled water + 1 ml Agepon. I re-use the Agepon for up to 5 films developed in a single day.

Cheers,

R.
 
Washing detergent works well enough for me. I dab my finger tip one or two times in detergent. Since using it I've not not had drying marks. Try it and see how it works for you.
 
I tried some washing detergent when I ran out of photoflo, but it left spots. Nasty little spots. Now I don't risk it anymore.

martin
 
Try it and see what happens. Reports of varying degrees of success with dishwashing liquids might be explained by differences among the brands, as well as the water. I'd wonder about the impact of the dyes, perfumes, etc.

Wetting agents cost little, though, and last almost forever.
 
For stop bath I use plain vinegar 1+4 and for the final rinse plain tap water with the teensiest drop of dish cleaning detergent (cheapest stuff they sell).

It works perfectly...

It also saves a few $$$ but that's not my main concern. The real reason I use it (besides that it works!) is that the stuff is easy to buy anywhere!
 
So far I have used liquid dish detergent, last time after reading RFF I just did last rinse in distilled water, without wetting, without dishing. I think it were cleanest film I've got until now.
 
wgerrard said:
Try it and see what happens. Reports of varying degrees of success with dishwashing liquids might be explained by differences among the brands, as well as the water. I'd wonder about the impact of the dyes, perfumes, etc.

Wetting agents cost little, though, and last almost forever.
Click to expand...

I think the difference is in the concentrated vs. non-concentrated dish washer detergent. Using one tiny drop of concentrated (and lemon-scented!🙂) detergent does the trick for my films without any hassle.
 
Water doesn't spot. Impurities that remain after the water evaporates produce spots. Wetting agents appear to work by reducing the adhesion of water to the film surface, much like a dish detergent reduces the adhesion of grease to pots and pans. I.e., the water rolls more efficiently to the edge or bottom of the film.
 
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