Comments on: Siphon Film Washing: A Better Way http://silverbased.org/film-washing/ Projects and ponderings for film photographers Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:29:25 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Vox http://silverbased.org/film-washing/comment-page-1/#comment-279 Vox Wed, 28 May 2008 12:29:52 +0000 http://silverbased.org/film-washing/#comment-279 Yes, compared to fiber-based paper, washing film ought not to require all that much water. The thinking is that the gelatin emulsion only absorbs a couple of grams of fixer—if you agitate with a liter or so of water until the concentration reaches equilibrium between gelatin & water, you're already at an archivally safe level. It's less clear to me how much TIME is needed to do that (particularly if you use a hardening fixer). So I err on the side of caution, and fortunately live in a place where water is plentiful enough that the bucketful shown only costs pennies… Yes, compared to fiber-based paper, washing film ought not to require all that much water. The thinking is that the gelatin emulsion only absorbs a couple of grams of fixer—if you agitate with a liter or so of water until the concentration reaches equilibrium between gelatin & water, you’re already at an archivally safe level.

It’s less clear to me how much TIME is needed to do that (particularly if you use a hardening fixer). So I err on the side of caution, and fortunately live in a place where water is plentiful enough that the bucketful shown only costs pennies…

]]> By: Paul H http://silverbased.org/film-washing/comment-page-1/#comment-278 Paul H Wed, 28 May 2008 09:59:12 +0000 http://silverbased.org/film-washing/#comment-278 Of course, you could use the "Ilford wash" method, which uses far less water. I'm a bit hazy on their exact cycle, but it's something along the lines of: - fill with 20C water, invert 5 times and dump - fill and invert 10 times and dump - fill and invert 20 times and dump Of course, you could use the “Ilford wash” method, which uses far less water.

I’m a bit hazy on their exact cycle, but it’s something along the lines of:
– fill with 20C water, invert 5 times and dump
– fill and invert 10 times and dump
– fill and invert 20 times and dump

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