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> Farmers Reducer. |
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#1
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Farmers Reducer.
I have been having a clear-out and come across a box with 10 sealed metal foil sachets of Farmer's Reducer. It must be 50+ years since I used Farmer's and have totally forgotten how to use it apart from the print must be properly fixed and washed before treatment. There are no destructions with the box so a few hints would help.
(The box had a postage stamp on it for two shillings and sixpence (12.5p in new money so that will give an idea how old it is) |
#2
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Not sure if you want diluting instructions for your particular sachets, or general instructions for use.
If it is the latter, Peter Elgar does a nice demonstration on his youtube channel, and John Finch does one on his youtube channel Pictorial Planet under the heading "Liquid Sunshine." I have only used it in the past when spotting. For that have a look at The Naked Photographer, again on youtube. Cheers. Cheers.
__________________
It will all be over by Christmas. |
#3
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A package is usual said to solve in 250 ml of water. That is much too strong. I recommend solving it in a liter or more.
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#4
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The problem with Farmer's is that it apparently lasts only about 15 mins before needing replacement so if you need to do only a few prints then depending on the sachet size you might waste a lot of the liquid
What I am unsure of is whether you can simply use say only a quarter of the sachet provided you have shaken the ingredients so each quarter contains the same amount of each ingredient proportionally speaking Mike |
#5
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I hadn’t heard that it has such a short life, Mike. I thought it was the same as the bleach used for some sepia toning processes, which I believe is Potassium Ferricyanide. If that’s correct, the dilute solution lasts for months, maybe years. I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong. I agree with Uwe that some suggested dilutions are too strong to control the effect.
Alex. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
#6
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Once the ferricyanide and thiosulphate are mixed the life is short, which is why we generally use two separate stock solutions and mix small quantities when about to be used.
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#7
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Quote:
Mind you in John's case the sachets were in essence a windfall find Mike |
#8
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You may use ferricyanide alone as I do. This ha two advantages:
- The solution lives longer - You may re-develop if you have over-bleached Disadvantage: The need of fixing again after bleaching, |
#9
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Farmer's
Since posting I have realised that I do not have the Ferricyanide component. All the sachets which are in silver foil (10) and I had to open each one to find out what was in there, are the white thiosulphate crystals. Not a lot of use unless I can get some Ferricyanide. There was no indication on the packets what they contained.
I think 'First Call' in Taunton still do complete kits but possibly 'Silverprint' near Southampton sell raw chemicals. I have managed for all this time without using any, so a few more weeks won't harm |
#10
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Quote:
Uwe, with the Ferricyanide if the concentration is to much with the amount of water that is suggested, what would you suggest? Last edited by John King; 14th November 2021 at 08:33 AM. |
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