stopbath is it needed??

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jonnyl555

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Can anyone help? have problems finding stopbath to buy. People have said that you dont need it and you can just use fixer, is this true?
 
jonnyl555

You don't need stop just fill the tank with water @ the right temp, agitate a couple of times, discard then fix as normal

Regards Toonie
 
jonnyl555 said:
Hi
Can anyone help? have problems finding stopbath to buy. People have said that you dont need it and you can just use fixer, is this true?
Click to expand...

I personally never use a stopbath when developing. I go:

  • Developer
  • Rinse
  • Fix
  • Rinse again
  • Wetting agent (sp?)
  • Hang to dry

Never had any problems caused by it, a few times I forgot to remove the darkslide from the camera though, so I was developing a nice un-exposed film. Not my best moment.

Tom N.
 
Personally I've always found a good wash to be just as effective as a stop bath. The science will tell you that using a stop bath will stop the development more quickly that water and that the print or film will last longer.

I've not seen any actual difference myself but if you do find some and want to use it, it certainly wont do any harm.
 
stop bath has two functions
a) stops the development in its tracks
b) makes the fixer last longer, especially if you don't rinse between develop and fix

you can use water but the trick is to make sure it gets everywhere quickly to ensure even cessation of developmment
 
mmcp42 said:
stop bath has two functions
a) stops the development in its tracks
b) makes the fixer last longer, especially if you don't rinse between develop and fix

you can use water but the trick is to make sure it gets everywhere quickly to ensure even cessation of developmment
Click to expand...

I used a stop bath mainly because it makes the fixer last longer. It's cheap enough - you can use a splash of dilute white vinegar just as well.

TBH if you develop for the full time and don't try to snatch a print early, there's very little happens after that.

Only time I didn't use a stop bath for prints was when making big ones and there wasn't enough room for three trays.
 
Always used to use Stop bath.
Habit mostly i guess,as its the way i was taught. :)
I miss my Darkroom from years back..
The smells,that feeling when a great shot starts to emerge in the tray....
*Sigh*
 
as said..it helps to make the fixer stay cleaner
can be made up from vinegar... in a weak solution...dont remember actually buying it
 
You can use acetic acid in a weak solution - I always used it for film but never for prints - as a water bath gave more control. Also I hated the smell and can't touch food with vinegar to this day! :)
 
awp said:
You can use acetic acid in a weak solution - I always used it for film but never for prints - as a water bath gave more control. Also I hated the smell and can't touch food with vinegar to this day! :)
Click to expand...

good ole digitole
 
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