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View Full Version : Refixing and toning 17 yrs after...?


Miha
19th August 2010, 07:29 PM
Here I have 9 tiny photos, very valuable to me, printed in 1993 on Efke Emaks RC single-weight paper. I had no idea of proper fixing or washing - I was 16 then. Photos still look good but I fear they will gradually detoriate in time. Is there any point in refixing and sulphur (Viradon New) toning 17 years later?

Miha

Mike O'Pray
19th August 2010, 08:17 PM
Miha I am no expert but I think there are a number of reasons why you may have little to fear:

1. My understanding is that if they weren't fixed properly then after 17 years some evidence of improper fixing would start to show.

2. Singleweight RC paper would require a very short wash, maybe as little as 1 minute or two at the most. Unless you know the wash was just a dip of a few seconds then you probably washed all the fixer out.

Assuming that the prints are in fact still OK which seems to be the case then Viradon might well help to preserve them for longer than ordinary washing. Depends on how long you need them to remain in first class condition. I have worked out your age now from what you have said so if you want to be still looking at them when you are an old man then toning in Viradon puts you in the good company of Ralph Lambrecht whom I think rates this particular toner as the best for preservation. Better he believes than selenium or even thiourea but I cannot remember why he believes to be the case as compared to thiourea.

Mike

Miha
19th August 2010, 08:44 PM
Thank you Mike!

Yes prints look OK indeed. No silver-out, no stains, high gloss (as opposed to some Agfa MCP prints that showed silver-out after four or so years).

I'm sure that these Efke prints were fixed and washed much longer than needed - I was reading really old photo books at the time;) - so a dip to Viradon will do I guess.

Cheers!
Miha

mpirie
21st August 2010, 06:50 AM
Miha,

If the prints are invaluable to you, then the fist option (to me) would be to have them copied (unless you still have the negs of course) ?

Mike