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No. Z Salted Collodion

$36.95 - $127.95
(21 reviews) Write a Review
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Description

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No. Z Salted Collodion

The culmination of years of experimentation, research, and refinement.

No. Z represents a new generation of salted collodion, developed through years of systematic experimentation and a deep investigation into the chemistry of the wet plate process. By studying how each component influences speed, tonal range, stability, viscosity, and image quality—and combining that knowledge with modern chemical research unavailable to 19th-century practitioners—UV Photographics has engineered a collodion that delivers the qualities today's wet plate photographers demand.

Rather than simply recreating historical formulas, No. Z builds upon them. The result is a balanced, high-performance collodion designed to produce consistently beautiful plates while making the process more predictable and enjoyable.

Whether you specialize in portraiture, landscape, or fine art, No. Z offers the performance characteristics that matter most:

Faster Exposure

No. Z is approximately 1/3 stop faster than UVP-X, allowing shorter exposure times and greater flexibility when working with natural light or studio strobes. Faster speed means easier focusing, reduced subject movement, and a higher success rate in demanding shooting conditions.

Exceptional Stability

Unlike many traditional formulas that lose sensitivity as they age, No. Z maintains its performance for 12–18 months when stored properly. Its exceptional shelf life provides consistent speed, reliable image quality, and fewer surprises from bottle to bottle.

Rich Tonality

Designed to produce a broad tonal scale with luminous highlights, smooth midtones, and deep, expressive shadows, No. Z is particularly well suited for portraiture. Whether working outdoors or under studio lighting, it renders subtle skin tones and striking contrast that bring wet plate images to life.

Built for Modern Wet Plate Photographers

Every characteristic of No. Z—from its speed and stability to its handling and tonal response—has been optimized through extensive testing in real-world photographic conditions. The result is a collodion that is both forgiving for photographers refining their technique and capable of meeting the demands of experienced practitioners.

No. Z isn't simply another collodion formula—it's the product of years of research dedicated to helping you create stronger, cleaner, and more expressive wet plate photographs.

21 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews

  • 5
    Collodion “Z”

    Posted by Andrew Moxom on May 22nd 2026

    Great product. It has an amazing shelf life and maintains speed for a very long time. I opened my first batch in late October last year, made some plates and then put back into my fridge over the winter. I started using it again this April and it’s the same straw color and no speed loss. I am almost out of the first batch and have since ordered more. With this long a shelf life, I see no reason to mix my own as the raw chemicals needed seem age quickly when not mixed and the cost of wasted chemistry started to add up.This is an amazing product! Thoroughly recommend!

  • 5
    #Z in the field

    Posted by Chris Olsen on Mar 10th 2026

    I reenact as a Civil War photographer. This is a great go to for deep shade and rainy events. It gives a good image in lower natural light situations. on sunny days, stopping down to f/16 gives amazing detail and lightning fast exposures. (great for those cavalry horses that just won't stand still) It is also great for indoor shoots when there is limited lighting.

  • 5
    my new go to collodion

    Posted by northland.studio on Oct 31st 2025

    This collodion has become my favorite for portraits. It has a bit more speed which really helps in the waning light of Montana's summer shoulder seasons. I like to mix a bit of new batch with a bit of older batch and that seems to mellow it into a sweet spot with great tonality and good sensitivity.

  • 5
    Exceptionally long lasting!

    Posted by Paul Barden on Oct 13th 2025

    I can attest to the keeping qualities of No. Z — I am still using this collodion after 2+ years and it works perfectly. Keep it away from light and heat and you can expect it to last 2 years or more. More importantly, it offers better speed than my traditional favorite (Old Workhorse) and has beautiful tonality. Brian has crafted an excellent collodion recipe here.

  • 5
    WOW

    Posted by Howard Simmons on Sep 24th 2025

    I’m still new to the wet plate process. But using your NO z made my Tintype success rate much higher.