[LargeFormat] Making Water in the Dark

[TigerShark]

Uncle Dick,

I always thought of the land of Oz to be a great place to live, but
living and photography both need some water, so your quest is on, I
agree.  The wash uses most of the water needed so savings are to be
found in alternatives there.

1. You could truck in and store seawater.  What I have heard it is great
for rinsing film and paper.  Just use a last rinse of fresh water to get
rid of the salty taste.

2. Most, if not all minilabs use washless processes.  The wash is
replaced by a chemical step (Fuji calls it Superflo) that apparently
kills or stabilizes the (bleach)fix.  It seems to work fine, given the
success of these 1-hour labs, but I don't expect archival performance.
I compare this to "dry shampoo," where some residue always stays in your
hair.
They make a rinse product for C41 and RA4, but I am not sure if there is
a rinse product especially made or compatible for B&W and E6 printing.

TigerShark

 


-----Original Message-----
From: largeformat-admin@f32.net [mailto:largeformat-admin@f32.net] On
Behalf Of rstein
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2002 4:06 AM
To: largeformat@f32.net
Subject: [LargeFormat] Making Water in the Dark

Ah, Dear,

     We seem to have upset someone. Pity, because that isn't the
intention
of these postings. It is always sad when an attempt to amuse fails,
though
nowhere near as awkward when the reverse happens - when you try to
infuriate
someone and they just blandly smile on....

     Still, I'm sorry the chap has rung off as he might have known the
answer to my PHOTOGRAPHIC ENQUIRY. Here goes.

     We are in the grip of a drought here in Perth and a dusty old grip
it
is going to be if the winter rains do not come. I am looking forward to
a
time when we may have water restrictions and what it might do do my
darkroom
work. I use standard processes for C-41, RA-4 and B/W and they all need
water for washing.

     I already use resin-coated papers for preference so there is a
water
saving there. I use Nova speedwash tanks so that is also more economical
than some washers. I am starting to follow the advice given by an
English
author re. washing in the Jobo tanks and I seem to be able to do a Multi
Tank 2 on C-41 with 4 litres of water.

     But I have also heard that there are chemical baths that obviate
washing of paper or film altogether after the fixing or blixing is done.
Was
this just a rumour or do such things exist? Would the use of a wash-aid
such
as Ridfix or Hypo Clearing Agent be any assistance to further lower wash
times?

     Final note - yes, I have heard some people say that the digital
darkroom is the logical step - but I am set up for chemical and know it
and
prefer it. I just need a strategy in place to cope with the water
crisis.

    Uncle Dick