gdi
20-May-2024, 08:32
I am preparing to try these tintypes soon and I am working through what workflow and would appreciate any advice. And please bear with me - I tend to be overly cautious with regard to safety, and some may see my precautions as overkill, or paranoid even! Mainly, the use of Ammonium Thiocyanate is new to me and I have read warnings and want to play it reasonably safe.
Loading plates - I accidently ordered a single sided 4x5 wet plate holder that arrived with my 10 pack of plates and I am now waiting for dual sided dry plate holder and will send the wet plate holder back (if anyone in the US wants this new unopened holder - I'll sell it at cost and I'll pay shipping to you rather than send it back to Slovenia!). I have a dark space in my basement and I'll load the holders there under a red safe light.
Chemistry prep - I'll use HC-110 at a 1+59 dilution, and I'll add 3 grams of Ammonium Thiocyanate to a 300ml solution. Since my basement space doesn't have any active ventilation, I am a little nervous working with this powdered AT, so I'll add this to the mixed HC-110 outside in the garage. I'll use nitrile gloves and eye protection, of course.
Exposing the Plates - first attempts will likely be outside/landscape on a bright but overcast day. I have a blue gel I can put over an incident meter to help with more accurate exposure metering.
Processing the plates - I will process in 5x7 trays and, again, I am a little worried about the ventilation and will probably set up an Ilford Pop up darkroom outside and maybe add a small ventilation fan. Or would I be good if I use a 3m organic vapor respirator, in the tent without a fan?
It will be a few days before I get the dry plate holder and give it a try, so thanks in advance.
Loading plates - I accidently ordered a single sided 4x5 wet plate holder that arrived with my 10 pack of plates and I am now waiting for dual sided dry plate holder and will send the wet plate holder back (if anyone in the US wants this new unopened holder - I'll sell it at cost and I'll pay shipping to you rather than send it back to Slovenia!). I have a dark space in my basement and I'll load the holders there under a red safe light.
Chemistry prep - I'll use HC-110 at a 1+59 dilution, and I'll add 3 grams of Ammonium Thiocyanate to a 300ml solution. Since my basement space doesn't have any active ventilation, I am a little nervous working with this powdered AT, so I'll add this to the mixed HC-110 outside in the garage. I'll use nitrile gloves and eye protection, of course.
Exposing the Plates - first attempts will likely be outside/landscape on a bright but overcast day. I have a blue gel I can put over an incident meter to help with more accurate exposure metering.
Processing the plates - I will process in 5x7 trays and, again, I am a little worried about the ventilation and will probably set up an Ilford Pop up darkroom outside and maybe add a small ventilation fan. Or would I be good if I use a 3m organic vapor respirator, in the tent without a fan?
It will be a few days before I get the dry plate holder and give it a try, so thanks in advance.