Platinum Printing Lab Notes

What’s new with studio and location lighting and platinum printing. Keep up to date with Curt Richter’s photography in Finland, the USA and all around.

Pt/Pd Clearing Agent Formula / Fixer

Kodak H.C.A. Formula

 Kodak's list of chemicals on a package of Hypo Clearing Agent

75-80  Sodium sulfite (007757-83-7)
15-20  Sodium metabisulfite (007681-57-4)
1-5  Sodium citrate (000068-04-2)
1-5  Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt (E.D.T.A.)

To Make 1 Gallon/ 3.8L of H.C.A. Stock (to be mixed 1/4 with water for the working solution):

Assuming that Kodak didn't want to reveal its exact formula, the company listed the chemicals with varied percents. By roughly adding the ingredients to make 100, this is what I mix to make a stock solution. The amount of E.D.T.A. is significantly increased. The stock is diluted 1/4 to use for processing film or prints.

Into 3 quarts/ 2.8L of water (120°F / 50°C) add each ingredient, stir until dissolved. After all the chemicals have been added and in solution add water to total volume, 1 Gallon/ 3.78L.

Sodium Sulfite                                360 grams
Sodium Metabisulfite                      65 grams (Opional)
E.D.T.A.                                            50 grams
Sodium Citrate                                25 grams

Many chemical suppliers don't carry Sodium Metabisulfite. Photographer's Formulary does but here's an alternative formula that I have also used for years when I couldn't find Sod. Meta. in Finland.

Sodium Sulfite                                  425 grams    
E.D.T.A.                                              50 grams
Sodium Citrate                                  25 grams

Photographer's Formulary Link -  http://stores.photoformulary.com/