LABORATORY

B&W printing
For B&W printing I use old czech-made OPEMUS-4 enlarger. This enlarger allows to print from 24x36mm up to 6x6 formats. Using high quality russian lenses VEGA-11U (24x36mm) and INDUSTAR-96U (for 6x6) it is really able to produce high quality prints.
For B&W I use predominantly KODAK products:

T-MAX FILM due to it's fragile picture, rich tone gradation and high reproductability
T-MAX DEVELOPER for developing films
POLYMAX DEVELOPER for developing papers
POLYMAX FIXER for fixing films and paper
POLYMAX 2 RC PAPER (glossy)

For developing POLYMAX variable contrast papers I use ILFORD VC filters (unlike KODAK VC filters ILFORD filters positioned before lense).
Besides I utilize for experimental uses cheap russian-made UNIBROM paper.

Sepia toning
I use 'one solution sepia toning' instead of widely used 'two solutions toning'. One solution recipe gives relatively less flexibility in tone variation but didn't require sodium sulfide.
1). Wash B&W print by warm water during 20 minutes.
2). Heat up appropriate volume of 2% sodium thiosulfate up to 60C in cuvette and add 2 ml of strong sulfuric acid.
3). After sulfur sedimentation (30 sec.) insert B&W print and shake cuvette permanently.
4). After reaching desirable tone extract print, wash it with warm water and dry.