Toning on films

[NG Sai-kit]

I wonder what is the use of toning a film after fixing? If yes then which toner is prefer?

[paul owen]

SElenium is often used to tone films. I believe it is used to give a slightly finer grain.

[Jeff Scott]

Selenium toning is used on negatives to increase highlight densities above zone V approximately to expand a slightly flat negative.

[David A. Goldfarb]

To push the highlights up one zone on a TMX negative, I tone in Kodak Rapid Selenium Toner 1:3 for 8 minutes. This can be particularly handy for negatives on rollfilm, where it is not so easy to apply zone system development controls, but I often do it for sheet film. I have a friend who says he selenium tones nearly every negative (I haven't asked him why he doesn't just increase his development time and recalibrate his film speed for higher contrast).

[kthompson]

Selenium and sulfide toners are used to protect the emulsion from pollutants as well.....just like in a print. For some films, like the dupe film SO-132, it's considered to be a mandatory step as well....same with ansi std. microfilm as well.

[ernie gec]

The toning of negatives is especially useful as a replacement for +1 expanded development. Instead of developing to +1, (which can result in unwanted grain in small format negatives intended for large printing) develop normally & tone in selenium as one of the posters suggested above & achieve an equivalent +1 contrast increase without any increase in grain size. My impression is that the negative cannot be toned "too much." It will reach maximum effect and then no more. This maximum is roughly equivalent to +1 development. Archival benefits are a bonus.

[NG Sai-kit]

Thanks for all yours' input on this issue. More questions on this, does the dilution has significant effects on n+1 process? I wonder if the gold toner does the similar job on the films? Happy New Year!

[David A. Goldfarb]

The dilution will affect the time it takes. I wouldn't go less than 1:3.