can you process with softened water?

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I just bought all the chemicals needed to process my black and white film at home, and it occured to, because i have well water, we have a water softener. Does anyone know if I can use this water?

-- mary caldwell (matacumbe@aol.com), April 01, 2001

Answers

In your case softened water is even better than normal tap water. Normal tap water contains higher amounts of salts than may give white crystals on your film. Therefore often a last rince with soap solution is used to get all the water (incl the salts) from the film. When you let the film dry without wiping it (NB wiping is dangerous as it can give scars !) or with the soap rincing you will see the white crystals quite clear (the harder your water the better).

-- Rob Visser (Rob_Visser@technologist.com), April 03, 2001.

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