Kallitype, volumes for developer and emulsion

I got interested in the Kallitype process. I am thinking of getting

the chemistry kit from Photographer's Formulary. This kit contains

enough for twelve 8x10's.

 

I read the instructions for this kit (on the alternative process web

page), and they indicate the volumes of water and weights of

chemicals for the whole kit.

 

My intention is to try the process first by using 2 1/4 x 2 1/4

negatives first, so I can learn the technique.

 

Does anyone have the volumes and weights of the chemistry so that I

could prepare the solutions for a few 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 prints at the

time. There is a document on the web for the Pt/Pd that indicates

the amounts in "drops". The author mentions that for a 4x5 print,

one needs XX drops of solution A, YY drops of soln. B, etc...

 

Measurements of this type (drops) will be very practical to me,

since I in the beginning one is slow and I believe that these

chemicals have a very short shelf life.

 

Also, if anyone can refer me to a good Kallitype process detailed

procedures somewhere, this will get me off to a good start. Most of

what I have seen gets me really confused with chemical reactions

that are not really pertaining to the execution of the process.

 

I would appreciate any information on this subject. Thank you.

These links may shed some light on the subject..

 

http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/Kallitype/kallitype.html

 

http://duke.usask.ca/~holtsg/photo/kallitype.html

 

http://www.camerastore.com/kallityp/kal2.htm

 

http://personal.riverusers.com/~jdf/todd_walker/vandyke.html

 

http://www.alternativephotography.com/process_kallitype.html

 

- Randy

Randy:

 

Thanks a lot. I have a lot of reading and sorting out to do with all the info. Maybe I can do the calculations and come up with a simple procedure that includes measurements in drops or ml, something that one can mix and apply in small batches.

 

The Formulary Kallitype kit "recipe" is for large areas of printing, that is why I thought that it could be convenient for a beginner to start in small batches such as not to waste all the kit at one, if case may be.

 

This is getting to be really exciting for me, "...half the fun is getting there".

 

I appreciate your promt response and the kindness in you taking the time to furnish me with additional info.

You'll probably be close enough by dividing the amount for a single 8x10 by 12 -- since a dozen frames of 6x6 cm fit neatly on an 8x10 for proofing. If you have volumes in milliliters when you're done, you'll need to test you dropper, since the number of drops in a milliliter varies some (typically between 10 and 30).

Donald:

 

Thank you for the information. I think that I have it figured out. I need to get a sensitive weight scale somewhere and forget about the "drops", a calibrated syringe will be more convenient. Then I can mix the amount desired correctly.

 

Mixing the whole contents of the kit all at once is not the thing to do for me. I am really slow at new things, and wasting is not an option.

 

Thanks for the encouragement. Best.

As long as the Silver Nitrate and Ferric Oxalate solutions are kept seperate and in light proof containers they will last a long time. The developer (Sodium Citrate) solution is usable (with replentishment) almost forever. The rest of solutions like the clearing baths (I use 5% Citric Acid) and the hypo are cheap and throw away.

 

I tone my Kallitypes with a palladium toner to give them permanancy equal to Pd/Pt prints.