Toning Negatives

A lot of photographers are concerned with the archival quality of their prints.

Several techniques exist using selenium, sulphides, goldchloride, and sistan to tone and make an achival print. However little is said about the archiving techniques for negatives: prints can remade from

an existing negative, but negatives are however unique.

So would it be wise to use the print conserving techniques (eg. direct polysulfide toning) to preserve negatives ?

Any reflections would be welcome.

Thx, Marc.

In his Film Developing Cookbook, Steve Anchell comes to the conclusion

that it is not necessary to do anything like that to your negatives

provided you especially fix and wash and store them carefully. For a

detailed discussion I suggest you read the book. It's interesting for

a couple of other reasons, too.

I second Thomas' ideas: It is not necessary to tone negs for

permanance if they are properly processed. One can, however use

selenium toner as an intensifier. Kodak RST 1:2 for about 5 min with

constant agitation will give a proportional intensification roughly

equivalent to a one Zone expansion. (N+1). I use this technique

routinely with good results. It is also possible to selectively tone

certain areas to strengthen highlights.

Reards, ;^D)

You may want to use Agfa Sistan. This is a silver protectant as well

as an effective wetting agent. I use this on all film 'just in case.'