Want to half your print wash time? Let's make hypoclear!

[@DaveInElland]

Your videos are succinct, to the point and very easy to follow. I’d largely given up on YT and it’s young influencers who think they know a film intimately after shooting one roll. Keep up the good work. Dave (in Elland)

[@dickvisser8363]

With you!

[@randallstewart175]

I'll add this bit of history to the comments. Supposedly, the idea of using a dilute salt-based solution to accelerate washing hypo from paper originated during World War II when navy photographer's noticed that when they processed photo paper at sea using sea water to wash, the wash process was much quicker. (Folks used a lot more hypo test solution to check their prints those days.) Kodak confirmed the process and started selling Kodak Hypo Clearing Agent, which is just sodium sulfite with some anti-caking agent for packaging.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Nice bit of history there!

[@jonathanbaxter4366]

Thanks John👍

[@philipdahl9001]

Thanks for this tip! I'll definitely use it.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Great!

[@randallstewart175]

There are two types of agent used to expedite the elimination of hypo from film and paper. The first is a simple solution which presents a medium in which hypo more quickly exchanges out of the paper compared to plain water. This is/was sold by Kodak as Hypo Clearing Agent, a solution of little more than sodium sulfite. What is presented here is in this class of agent. The second type is classically referred to as "hypo eliminator". This is a solution which chemically alters the hypo itself into another chemical compound which much more easily and quickly washes out of the paper. One source of this used to be (?) HR Hypo Eliminator. Perhaps as a matter of cost, the clearing agents tend to be more commonly available, however they are not as efficient in use. I use an eliminator which I compound from scratch based on formula I picked up about 40 years ago. (Dignan's Newsletter) At this time, I'm about half way through my 2nd liter of stock solution.

[@PictorialPlanet]

What's your formula Randall?

[@randallstewart175]

@@PictorialPlanet Here is the formula for hypo eliminator stock solution: Distilled water 900 ml Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (15%) 50 ml Propylene Glycol 5 ml Anti-Form B (15%) 8 ml Sodium Hexametaphosphate 22 gr Water, to make >> 1.0 liter Working solution: 1.0 ml in 1.0 liter of water Use: Film: 30 sec; Paper: 2 min., followed by wash of 5 min or more. Some of the components were difficult to find back when this was published, so I inmagine that some may be impossible today.

[@jonathanbaxter4366]

Another great tip. Purchased a box of fb and will defo use this technique. ps what if i tried 4 mins in the hypoclear could that reduce the rinse time to 15 mins . Probably wishful thinking 😉 Regards

[@PictorialPlanet]

Hi Jonathan! Yes, wishful thinking, I'm afraid, but I use this technique all the time and it works a treat.

[@sterioma]

Funny I commented in your D23 video about using sodium sulphite as hypo clearing agent, don't remember where I had read about it. Do you think I should switch to sodium bicarbonate?

[@PictorialPlanet]

It was your message, Stefano, that prompted me to record this one, thank you! You got me thinking about what I use with my prints. Sulphite is also a common hypoclear and sodium carbonate too. I tend to use the bicarbonate because we have loads of it for cleaning around the house so it's cheap and plentiful.

[@philipu150]

@@PictorialPlanet John, I am no chemist, but a former pro, now continuing photographer, for many decades. Your "baking soda", as we Americans typically refer to it, is a fine idea, but I am concerned about your 2-minute time, which is less than half the archival recommendation of Permawash's, and less than 25% of Ilford's washaid time for double-weight FB (does anyone even make single-weight any longer?). I recognize that you are gearing your site to newcomers, which I truly applaud, but this recommendation seems a bit off.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Thanks for your comment, Philip (edit: apologies, I spelled your name wrong). The hypo clear I was demonstrating was an AGFA formula 320. I use it because of a recommendation by Eddie Ephraums, a professional photographer here in U.K.. He specifies 2 to 3 minutes. I hope that helps. By the way you might check out his very good book Creative Elements. Really impressive photography - recommended reading!

[@PictorialPlanet]

Thanks, Bob!

[@edwardcrosby5034]

Great video, but do I need a continuous flow of water to wash the print. It can be expensive when you have a water meter.

[@PictorialPlanet]

Yes, I'm afraid you do Edward. This is why you'd use a hypoclear like this, to speed up washing and save water.

[@simonsharp9162]

How many 8x10's roughly per litre of this hypo before it will need swapping ?

[@PictorialPlanet]

I make fresh every session and put 10-15 prints through it. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is very cheap so it's not worth keeping.

[@joaovtaveira]

Can also be used in film, right?

[@PictorialPlanet]

Yes although I prefer to use an alkali fix which washes out if the film very easily. For prints I use normal acid fix most of the time.

[@SD_Alias]

Nice recipe! Is is helping when using alkaline fixer? or is it only working at acid fixers?

[@PictorialPlanet]

It will work with both, SD.

[@SD_Alias]

@@PictorialPlanet Thank you. I just ordered stuff to make TF2…

[@OskarFilms]

Beats trying to dissolve 200g of Sodium Sulfite in hot water! I take it this hypo works equally well with prints and negatives?

[@PictorialPlanet]

Ha! Yes, it works just as well and so much easier to make :)

[@theoldfilmbloke]

WoW ! How do you keep your 'White Dishes' so 'WHITE' !! Ha Ha !! after so many years of darkroom processing especially when I had to turn out loads of prints every day for Local press work mine are 'BROWN' !

[@PictorialPlanet]

Yes, I bought these new about three years ago. When I moved back from America I gave away all my stuff.

[@mikecallaghan9535]

@@PictorialPlanet When my children were babies I discovered that soaking the developing dish in the laundry sink overnight in a solution of Nappy Wash (we used reusable nappies in those days) worked a treat, used it when needed ever since, though it's a special purchase now. I'll try the this version of hypo clear when I next do some work(Fun).

[@tomasnovotny4108]

Only Ilford advices 1st wash 5 min - hypo 10 min - 2nd wash 5 min

[@PictorialPlanet]

Different kind of hypoclear