Sodium Metabisulfate for Type 55 clearing?

[jim_landecker]

Since I have some of the above chemical at hand, will it work the

same way as Sodium Sulfite for clearing Polaroid Type 55 negatives?

Thanks for any insights!

 

Jim

[jim_landecker]

Sorry, that should be Sodium Metabisulph-ITE!

[ole_tjugen]

I'm not saying it won't work - which it probably will (I've used hot water in the past, that works too!). But Sodium Sulfite is alkaline, Sodium Metabisulfite is acidic. The alkalinity helps the clearing...

 

You could add an equimolar amount of Sodium Hydroxide to make it alkaline, in other words MAKE Sodium Sulfite ;)

[mark_blackman1]

there is only one way to deal with type 55's in the field.

[c_p_goerz]

It does work but its a lot stronger than SS, use 1/3rd the amount required of SS.I found it was cleaner and faster.

 

CP Goerz.

[chad_jarvis1]

I agree with Mark; the only way to clear P/N 55 in the field is with mossy stream water. Too funny. I remember doing some Polacolor transfers a few years back, and I had no water with me to dampen the paper. Luckily there was a mud puddle nearby.

[h._p.]

Whatever happened to the classy Tupperware style "clearing bucket" with the inserts?

[mark_blackman1]

joking aside, I dont understand the point of lugging a load of Sodium Sulphate solution around, it's very messy & you still need clean water to wash the neg, then some Ilfotol. I prefer to return to civilisation, run the pack through the film holder and process as per Polaroid suggest. Much less likely to damage the neg,drop it in a patch of nettles etc.

 

If you want to recreate that mountain spring moment, us a bottle of Evian, but better not refill the bottle and return to the fridge, your missus might notice a funny taste.