After
much chivvying from Editor Bill Reid, who has maintained for a long time that the
Club needs something more attractive, in the way of formula, a sort of
‘sweetener’ an easy to prepare and use E.6.forrnula that will work.
One, in short, that can attract new members.
Well I’ve done my best, in the shape of
many hours of tests (some 40 in all) to answer the call. So how about a
THREE BATH formula as starters ?
As I say I’ve spent many hours working
on: just a project and can now assure members that the formula which
follows is a home brew that works - though it is fair to warn. ‘weighers
& mixers that there can, be variables. chemicals, for instance, are
not always of the same. quality. I won’t, say we are offered bad
chemicals - but some are most definately ‘badder’ than others! ‘Then
again water can contain differing additives. But perhaps the variable of
variables might well be between your camera and mines Shutter speeds - and
consequently exposures – are a major factor governing the good slide and
the bad one.
So don’t
condemn this formula if it doesn’t seem to do what I say it WILL
do. And that is just what I am saying. With MY chemicals, My water
and MY camera I HAVE had near- perfect results with this mix I append.
So when I tell you truthfully, that it has
taken me upwards to 40 tests to photograph a Kodak Grey Scale - in GRAY -
you will appreciate that there just ain’t an easy road to obtain quality
reversal slides. But gray is THE test. If there is a colour cast lurking
be sure the gray will show it.
I will just add this, I have enclosed, with
this, a few exposures for Bill Reid to see. That’s confidence for you.,
And I hereby certify - scouts honour - that, the exposures were processed
EXACTLY as stated in the solutions,, and manner, set out below.
E6
Formula. D.1.
Colour
Developer.
Calgon.
1g.
Calgon
1g.
Sod. Sulphite. (Anyd)
18g. Tri-Sod. Phosphate.
(Cry)
15g.
Pot. Bromide. (10%)
7. 5rnl,
Pot. Bromide. (10%)
1.5g.
Pot. Thyocyanate.
1g. Pot.
Iodide .(0.1%)
5rn.
Pot Iodide (0.1%)
3mls.
Sod Hydroxide (10% Solution)
12.5g.
Sod )‘Tetarborate
10°5g
Sod. Suiphite (Anyd)
4.5g.
Phenidone.
0.125g.
Citrazinic Acid
0.2g.
Hydroquinone
3.5g.
CD.3
5.75g.
Benzotriazole, (0.2%)
25m1. Water to
500ml.
Water to
500ml.
If distilled water is used the Calgon can be omitted.
The pH of Dl should be 9.9, and this figure should be achieved with the
formula given. The pH of the Colour Developer should be 11.8 and this too
will, be very near with the formula above. Should there be a colour
difficulty the value can be changed by a small amount of ‘Sod.
Hydroxide’ to move the pH up (and toward the Yellow/Green) or Sulphuric
Acid (down). However I have carefully attempted to avoid the necessity to
adjust in any way and with my mixtures the figures given were the ones
attained.
24 hours after mixing.
Bleach-Fix.
Ammonium Thiosuiphate. (Cry)
50g.
The solutions set out here were mixed
E.D.T.A. Na Fe.
18g.
especially, as I’ve said, after many
Ammonia (10%)
l0ml.
trials, in order to prove that I can
Sod Sulphite. (Anyd)
1g.
be certain that the mixtures will give
Sod. Thiosyanate.
5g.
a consistent results.
Water to
500ml.