tab@ihuxl.UUCP (Thomas A. Burrows) (02/18/84)
I have used the Galerie paper extensively and am pleased with it.
Very deep levels of black are possible; which will be noticed, of course,
only if your negatives are given proper exposure so that they will
have plenty of shadow detail. Ansel Adams has also spoken highly of it.
I print on Galerie with an Aristo cold grid-lamp and process as follows:
Develop 3 minutes Dektol diluted 1:1 at 68 degrees
Stop 30 seconds Ilfobrom Stop Bath
Fix 30 seconds Ilfobrom Fixer
This is followed by the Ilford archival washing sequence including a
30 second selenium toning (Kodak Rapid Selenium Toner 1:4) -- following
Ilford's instructions. During a darkroom session, I store fixed
prints in a tub of water and then put several at once through
the washing sequence.
The Dektol results in a neutral tone which I find more pleasing than
the olive cast that results with Ilfobrom developer.
With Dektol, selenium toning enhances shadow contrast without giving
the print a strong violet tone.
Also, I have experienced wild batch-to-batch variations in the strength of
liquid Ilfobrom developer -- which is the main reason I always use Dektol.
(Dektol comes in powdered form with a long shelf life.)
- T. A. Burrows, AT&T Bell Laboratories, Naperville, IL