Ljós
Well-known
Hello all,
I am in the process of finding a new routine (I moved and the water is different) for drying my film. Much as I tried and would have liked to avoid using a wetting agent in the final step before hanging the film to dry (I do not squeegee and would like to keep it like that), I consistently get water spots if I use distilled water without wetting agent. Fair enough, so I got Tetenal Mirasol and figured out a dilution that worked ok. (Mirasol recommendation for drying film is 1:400, I wound up in the 1:600 - 1:800 range, with distilled water.)
Figured I might also give Ilford Ilfotol a try, what with me using mainly Ilford HP5 and FP4, and the recommended dilution for drying film being 1:200, meaning less hassle and better repeatability reagarding measuring the small amounts needed for a 485ml tank, as opposed to Mirasol.
So I ran some tests with varying dilutions, and it works sure enough, but what's with that smell? Mirasol undiluted has an odor, too, but after drying I never smelled anything. With Ilfotol the dry film still smells distinctly of Ilfotol.
Anybody have any long term experience with Ilfotol? What's your take on this? I can't/won't switch to Photoflo, which is not readily available in Germany, and I would like Ilfotol to work for me, but I am not psyched about the side effects ;-) It's not just the film, but also the hands, as I use to take off my gloves during the last stage of the washing sequence, not wanting to mess with hanging the film with gloved hands.
I appreciate your input on this matter - thanks in advance!
Hannes
I am in the process of finding a new routine (I moved and the water is different) for drying my film. Much as I tried and would have liked to avoid using a wetting agent in the final step before hanging the film to dry (I do not squeegee and would like to keep it like that), I consistently get water spots if I use distilled water without wetting agent. Fair enough, so I got Tetenal Mirasol and figured out a dilution that worked ok. (Mirasol recommendation for drying film is 1:400, I wound up in the 1:600 - 1:800 range, with distilled water.)
Figured I might also give Ilford Ilfotol a try, what with me using mainly Ilford HP5 and FP4, and the recommended dilution for drying film being 1:200, meaning less hassle and better repeatability reagarding measuring the small amounts needed for a 485ml tank, as opposed to Mirasol.
So I ran some tests with varying dilutions, and it works sure enough, but what's with that smell? Mirasol undiluted has an odor, too, but after drying I never smelled anything. With Ilfotol the dry film still smells distinctly of Ilfotol.
Anybody have any long term experience with Ilfotol? What's your take on this? I can't/won't switch to Photoflo, which is not readily available in Germany, and I would like Ilfotol to work for me, but I am not psyched about the side effects ;-) It's not just the film, but also the hands, as I use to take off my gloves during the last stage of the washing sequence, not wanting to mess with hanging the film with gloved hands.
I appreciate your input on this matter - thanks in advance!
Hannes
