I have found that VC fiber papers accepts selenium less readily than graded papers. In other words, they require a high concentration of solution to achieve purplish tint. Has anyone else found this to be the case. Also, what have ya'll found to be a VC paper that readily accepts selenium. I'm looking for not only increase in D-Max, but slight color shift. Please answer as specifically as possible; what paper and what dilution works for you? Thanks...Gary

-- Gary Grenell (gkgphd@cs.com), July 12, 1999

Answers

I have recently read an article about a new selenium toner manufactured by a Dutch company named AMALOCO. This toner is said to significantly increase D_max even in RC papers. I know of at least a German mail order company that offers the product. Try phototec@t-online.de.

-- Thomas Wollstein (wollstein@compuserve.com), July 12, 1999.

There is no good answer to this. Some VC papers such as Oriental readily change color (I assume that is what you mean by "accept") while papers such as Ilford MGFB have little change. It really depends on the paper.

Oriental, Forte, and Bergger accept toner for me quite readily.

-- James D. Steele (jdsteele@erols.com), July 12, 1999.

In my experience, Ilford is the only manufacturer whose papers do not change color when toned in selenium. In general, papers with chloride emulsions tone better than those with pure bromide, but almost all modern papers have some chloride in their emulsions. The Forte papers respond very well to selenium.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edbuffaloe@earthlink.net), July 12, 1999.

Forte Polywarmtone/Selenium 1:7 will produce all the tonal shift you will ever want. Be careful though. This paper tones much faster than Ilford Warm Tone fiber paper. At this dilution you will notice a tonal shift in less than two minutes. Five minutes is about my usual time for this combination.

-- Thomas L. Schumacher (tlschuma@orotech.net), July 12, 1999.

Gary, Ialso have found that Oriental Segul Select VC FB paper takes nice to selenium toning. it produces a nice color and beautiful tones. Sean

-- Sean (ZBeeblebrox42@yahoo.com), July 15, 1999.