I'm not sure if this is an appropriate question for this forum, so I'll take my chances and whatever punishment I deserve if it is not and then repost to a different forum.

During print sessions I'm getting some black stuff on the prints that comes off if I rub with my fingers in the wash tray. I'm using fresh chemicals, Ilford's paper developer, Kodak Indicator Stop Bath, and Ilford's Rapid Fixer, all according to directions. In the water tray, I put a few cap-fulls of Orbit Bath to help kill the fixer. The prints usually sit in that tray for several minutes before being thrown into the wash. I'm using the same spring loaded stainless tongs that I've been using for over five years. The stuff appears as little streaks on the edges of the print (not necessarily where I have handled with tongs). Sometimes it appears as little "smudges" inward a little from the borders where tongs normally don't go. It almost appears as image detail, but I can use my fingers to wipe the smudge away while the print is soaking in the water tray. Although a little stubborn, on dried prints I can remove it by using a pencil eraser. Any ideas what this stuff is and/or how to prevent it from appearing?

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), August 10, 1999

Answers

I don't think it's inappropriate here, but you might reach a larger audience of B&W processing experts in the B&W Photo - Film & Processing forum.

-- Bob Atkins (bobatkins@hotmail.com), August 10, 1999.

As it is a question about printing, an even better place would be B&W Photo - Printing & Finishing.

I've never seen this problem. I've never heard of Orbit Bath either. Which leads me to ask: do you get the problem without the Orbit Bath?

-- Alan Gibson (Alan.Gibson@technologist.com), August 10, 1999.

Good points on the other two greenspun domain forums, I'll post there.

Orbit Bath is a kind of hypo clearing agent which is used for films, prints, and after toning. I've used Orbit Bath for prints a lot longer than I've had the problem, but raise an excellent point. I'll try the wash without the Orbit Bath to see if I get the same thing.

I appreciate your responses.

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), August 10, 1999.