Lith Printing...

here's an example of the black splotching...then again it may be pepper fogging.



Todd
 

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changing paper and chemicals makes a big difference...

Moersch Easy Lith
Foma 532 II

3525424298_0c1c298248_o.jpg


Todd
 
ahem... I stole it off the back of one of your prints ;), 1:1:30

Todd
 
changing paper and chemicals makes a big difference...

Moersch Easy Lith
Foma 532 II

3525424298_0c1c298248_o.jpg


Todd

Wow! My words exactly... Great print Todd! I follow this thread from the beginning as I want to try lith printing eventually. I just don't have time for this right now :(

As a long-time Pixies fan, I always liked Simon Larbalestier's work, long before I even knew what the process behind them was...

Anyway, after a lot of internet research some weeks ago, I came to the decision that Fomatone 532 in Moersch Easy Lith was the combination I 'd like to to experiment, as I can't seem to find Fotospeed products around here. You just confirmed my "intuition". Thanks!

2 quick questions to you and andrew : with fomatone, does the darkroom safelight has to be red? and what do you mean when you say "1:1:30 dilution"?

Keep posting prints like this and I may finally drag my lazy a** in the darkroom again... Who knows? ;)
 
Thanks much!

I'm not the authority on this... yet ;)

1:1:30 means 1 part solution A, to 1 part solution B, to 30 ml of water- or - 15ml of A + 15ml of B to 900 ml of water (at least that was my mixture for the above print). I top off the 900ml with about 100ml of "old brown" (left over lith developer that has been sitting out overnight to oxidise and turn rusty brown).

I use a cheap red bulb that screws into the socket in my darkroom/ bath. The color doesn't seem to effect the paper in my case.

Looking forward to your results when you get to it.

Todd
 
Keeds, Todd, how long did you have to wash the prints? are the Lith papers FB or RC or neither?

Love all the pictures in this invaluable thread, btw.
 
Will,
I wash mine for about 20 min. to remove any fixer, but I've heard of people washing them longer. I washed some Kentmere Kentona for 20 min and the paper started coming apart on the back :eek:.

All the paper I've used and seen most people using is FB.

Todd
 
I may be wrong but 20 minutes washing seems short for FB paper... On the other hand, having the paper coming apart after only 20 min is odd :eek:

Go figure...

Have you tried selenium toning yet?
 
Will,
I wash mine for about 20 min. to remove any fixer, but I've heard of people washing them longer. I washed some Kentmere Kentona for 20 min and the paper started coming apart on the back :eek:.

All the paper I've used and seen most people using is FB.

Todd

Todd, did you use Hypo-clear prior to the final washing?
I read that you have to wash FB papers up to an hour without it.

A follow up question, do you use a print-washer or just water-flow in sink or tray?
 
Yes I use hypo clear prior to the final wash, which is why 20 min. seems to work for me. In reality it's more like 40-45 min, I did not count the intial wash I do straight out of the fixer in the darkroom. I dunk my prints into running tap water in an extra developing tray as I fix them, the rinse is about 20 min long until hypo then final rinse.

I am currently looking at getting (or making) a print washer which should solve my paper disintigration issues ;)

Todd
 
Moersch Easy Lith
Foma 532 II 1:1:30
1 min. exposure
Rolleiflex

lith-alaska.jpg


Todd
 
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More nice work Todd. To me MF and LF neg Lith prints are quite special. You can get the wonderful colours and contrast of Lith without so much of the graininess from 35mm negs. For some subjects this can be quite beautiful.
 
thanks.
I was looking through some old negs last night, trying to decide if they were worthy of the process. I "lithed" some shots that look cool but probably aren't typically lith worthy (if that makes sense).
10-15 min per print makes you pickier when choosing what to print I think. I'll post them in the coming days to see what yall think.

Todd
 
Todd, you're pushing me over the edge, I'm putting an order on Moersch chemicals and either the Foma or Fotokemika (still can't decide, both looked good on paper, pun very intended :) ).
 
that one is 8"x8"

yeah, I need to keep printing too...it's easier the more you keep up with it. I really like the Foma papers with the Moersch chem., gives it a peachy-orangish brown to olive green look ;)

Todd
 
Step 1

Step 1

Ok, I got that book by Tim Rudman... Read the first chapters this weekend. While I can't wait to try this, I don't know if I have that much patience in me... ;) For instance this safelight check routine seems (is!) awfully long and tedious! Yet, I must do it since I have an old yellow/orange Kodak safelight I'm not really comfortable with...

Then, I'll order the chemicals (Moersch) and some Foma paper (both from fotoimpex probably) and maybe some Selenium toner. That will be my step 2...

One thing I'll have to sort out eventually : I intend to print relatively big (24x30, sorry metric system) but I only have an A4 basic scanner... :(

Well, maybe I'll post my test strips ;)

Benjamin.
 
Old thread, even older technique, after 8h in darkroom I have my first lith prints (6 of same photo +2 of the another) and damn its rewarding!

img695x.jpg


Adox Variotone mat 18x24cm, chemistry from local b&w boutique (powder for two parts mixed just before printing 1+1+6). I warm it to 30C. Developing times about 15mins.
 
Old thread, even older technique, after 8h in darkroom I have my first lith prints (6 of same photo +2 of the another) and damn its rewarding!

img695x.jpg


Adox Variotone mat 18x24cm, chemistry from local b&w boutique (powder for two parts mixed just before printing 1+1+6). I warm it to 30C. Developing times about 15mins.

Smashing print. If that's your first session you've made a great start to your Lith printing. You are quite correct. Lith printing is very rewarding. It's the only thing I miss now I've had to lose the darkroom.
 
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