Weird Q: Photoflo?

[BradS]

I was taught to mix up only what was going to be used that session and to throw it out after use. We were sternly warned against reuse of photo flo.

[bsdunek]

I only use for a short while and discard. Also, I find that mixing to directions causes Newton rings when I print. I dilute about 4X what is recommended and it works well.

[polyglot]

It grows stuff. I'll reuse it for a day (could be 8-10 rolls processed) but not keep it overnight. Made that mistake only once.

[HowardDvorin]

It grows stuff. I'll reuse it for a day (could be 8-10 rolls processed) but not keep it overnight. Made that mistake only once.

I had the same experience .

[summicron1]

if your photo-flo is really accumulating fixer -- guy, ur not rinsing your film long enough. Foto-flo is the final rinse AFTER thorough washing purely to get cleaner negs.

I put a "smidge" -- maybe 1/6th of a cap ful, into the developing tank at the end of the rinse, soak negs for 30 seconds, hang to dry, toss.

[heterolysis]

Typically, I will dump the water from the rinse and then add 2-3 drops of photoflo to a 20oz tank and fill it, adding a little extra water after it's full/shaken to wash some of the extra suds away.

Ratio-wise, it's probably less than 1:1000, but I've never had any issues. I think 1:1000 is a good, safe bet as long as you rinse well enough beforehand. The stuff is used so sparingly I've never gone through a bottle before its printed expiration date. And while I can't imagine it ever going bad, it's so cheap you don't need to worry about using a little excess every time.

[tomfoo13ry]

I mix 2 liters at a time and use it one shot as needed. I've heard a lot of stories of nasties growing in the solution but I haven't encountered it myself...and since I have to learn everything the hard way, I'll continue that practice until I do.

[Photo-gear]

It can last a long time, but then again, it's probably cheaper than the water you're mixing it in. I have had occasions where something precipitates out if it (fixer residue or stuff in the local water?) and I'll throw it out and mix new.

PS: I don't mix at 1:1000 like Ralph, but probably half the recommendation, about 1:400. Precision is not critical with this stuff.

I also have precipitates after some 12-15 processing. I am used to lightly shake the solution under the light, just to see or not the precipitates.

Good idea to reduce the dilution. Mine was 1:200 as Kodak recommends.

[Vaughn]

At the university, I mix up a gallon and the students dunk their film in it after washing. It stays on the counter (w/lid) for a few days until it just starts to get cloudy. We have done this since at least 1978 when I took my first class there...and probably the 20 years before that. I recommend that the students see-saw the film through it, but some dunk the reel w/film into the tank.

No problems -- unless someone mixes it up a little strong.

[DREW WILEY]

Gosh, Vaughn ... I thought that up thar in the woods folks would be fermenting it for microbrew.
It takes me at least a decade to use up a bottle of Photoflow. It doesn't take more than a few drops
at a time. And kept too long it will breed Saprolegnia (water mold, just in case you want some of
that authentic aged taste in the hooch, Vaughn ... prints some labels like "Saprolegnia Silver" and
some place like Beverages & More could probably sell it.