Better B & W prints

Film Photography & Darkroom discussion

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Tom Bloom
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Better B & W prints

Post by Tom Bloom »

Been printing B&W 30 years. My prints are looking duller than they used to. Is it only because of the lack of silver in new films? I want the sparkle back.

Digitaltruth
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Post by Digitaltruth »

Hi Tom,

If you are using TMAX film, then I highly recommend development in F76 plus and printing with Ultra Cold Tone print developer. Both products are available from our site here:

http://www.digitaltruth.com/store/clayton2.html

You can read more about F76 plus and its superb results here:

http://www.digitaltruth.com/store/clayton_f76.html
Digitaltruth Photo
https://www.digitaltruth.com

nettie
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Dull prints

Post by nettie »

:?: In reply to dull prints are there not many possibilities other than negatives or the negative developer ????

brianmcgloin
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Re: Better B & W prints

Post by brianmcgloin »

Tom Bloom wrote:Been printing B&W 30 years. My prints are looking duller than they used to. Is it only because of the lack of silver in new films? I want the sparkle back.
Mr. Bloom,
It would be easier if you gave a little detail of your methodology ... and if anything has changed in your darkroom or even plumbing. A new water softener or old water heater can effect development times.

A little while back I moved to a new apartment in a different town. I realized that I had to nearly double film development times to make up for whatever wacky stuff was (or wasn't) in the water ... a removed grew out of my forehead as well as an extra toe - so maybe the water was a little wierd.


As far as I know, current films and papers are just as silver rich as they have been and in some cases more so.
Comitting a crime isn't illegal - getting caught is.
http://mcgloin.blogspot.com
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Ornello
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Re: Better B & W prints

Post by Ornello »

Tom Bloom wrote:Been printing B&W 30 years. My prints are looking duller than they used to. Is it only because of the lack of silver in new films? I want the sparkle back.
Tell us exactly what you are doing, what films, papers, and developers you are using, and what equipment, in complete detail. Otherwise, it's impossible to say.

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