Negative Reducers

<p>I have an overexposed negative I would like to reduce, but heard Kodak's <em>Farmer's Reducer</em> is discontinued.<br>

The active ingredient in the Farmer's Reducer is potassium ferricyanide, as in the ''Bleach'' part of Kodak's <em>Sepia Toner</em> kit.<br>

I would like to know if I could use the second to ''reduce'' the negative.<br>

Thanks a lot.<br>

Audrey</p>

<p >Farmers Reducer is the brain child of Ernest Howard Farmer (English 1860-1944). This negative reducer consists of sodium thiosulfate (hypo) + potassium ferricyanide. The latter is harmless as the cyanide is not easily liberated. This beach with seemly a bad name was the staple of the color process until replaced by EDTA. </p>

<p >Farmers Reducer:</p>

<p >Solution 1</p>

<p >Potassium ferricyanide 37.5 grams</p>

<p >Dissolve in water to make 500ml</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Soution 2</p>

<p >Sodium thiosulfate 480 grams</p>

<p >Dissolve in water to make 2000ml</p>

<p >To use:</p>

<p >Just before use maker a working solution, combine 30ml solution 1 and 120ml of solution B then add water to make 1000ml</p>

<p >Immerse the black-and-white negative into the working. Observe under strong light as the negative reduces. Remove when the density of the treated negative is acceptable. Wash in running water for 20 minutes. Treat with wetting agent and dry. Process can be repeated as required. Also works on black-and-white prints and can be applied with cotton swan or brush to treat a localized area. </p>

<p >The likely formula Sepia Toner</p>

<p >Solution 1</p>

<p >Potassium ferricyanide 50 grams</p>

<p >Potassium bromide 10 grams</p>

<p > Sodium Carbonate, monohydrated 10 grams</p>

<p >Dissolve in water to make 1000ml</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Solution 2</p>

<p >Sodium Sulfide (desiccated) 45 grams</p>

<p >Dissolve in water to make 1000ml</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Should be OK</p>