Recent content by john_s

The link above of Raghu Kuvempunagar does that. The simple direct brown toner formulas are polysulphide in a very alkaline solution. For example, the MSDS of Agfa Viradon (later version without selenium) shows potassium polysulphide in a solution at pH 11.4 (stock). It's diluted for use. I...

The OP wants to reduce density (excessive pre-flashing) and increase contrast. So someone who knows might suggest a "subtractive" reducer followed by (or maybe preceded by) a contrast increasing "proportional" intensifier. It looks like a tricky balancing act to me. Maybe reducing a bit could...

ID-78 is a good general purpose paper developer in my opinion. I use it with Ilford MGWT and the warmth is very subtle. I read once (Ian Grant perhaps?) the WT papers lose some of their warmth when not very fresh, and here near the end of the Earth I suspect that papers are not super fresh. My...

I use the specific gravity of my stock potassium carbonate solution for that reason.

Is Compard R09 Studio (Studional) the same as (or very similar to) the old Agfa Studional (which Agfa also called Rodinal Special)? If so, it's nothing like Rodinal. It's a phenidone and hydroquinone developer, not diluted anywhere near Rodinal's dilutions, and was, one could say, more...

I found that my potassium carbonate was weaker (maybe because of absorption of atmospheric moisture) so I had to increase its amount by +26%, despite reasonable storage. I posted about this a while ago, and my conclusion was challenged, but I trust my measurements (Weighing density of solution...

I absolutely agree about the textured/dimpled dividers. It makes it so much easier to handle the prints and I expect that contact with water would be much better.

I had a Summitek 16x20 washer sent to me in Australia maybe 20 years ago and, yes, I can confirm that it's an expensive exercise. Then I had a new set of dividers made in a textured surface made up because the smooth ones were awkward. If you would like details of the unit I can measure and...

During a Tim Rudman course, he produced a print that had been fully selenium toned, then the silver (all of it, I think) bleached out leaving a brilliant orange/brown image. It was beautiful and it took our breath away.

I'm too old to keep mucking about vacillating over developers. I'm happy with Pyrocat. When I used PMK, using inversion of standard tanks, I observed that oxidation depended on the amount of developer (I always used standard dilution) and, possibly, to the amount of air left in the tank. Best...

That is interesting, the part about the film stock losing speed but the latent image holding up reasonably well. It's the opposite to what I would have expected. I have some 2009 Neopan400, so I'll give it a try. I have been amazed at the latent image on Tri_X (or TMAX400, I don't remember at...

I, for one, and I'm sure there are others, would greatly appreciate any advice you could offer to match the effects of glycin print developers without that troublesome ingredient.

There will always be some differences: trying to get both negatives to be exactly the same contrast requires some work, more than is usually given. Even if both are the same by some measurement, there can also be slight differences in toe shape etc etc. At my stage of life, very good is good...

Sulfate is used in tropical developers, to reduce gelatin swelling.

Gainer originally recommended a little TEA to aid in pH adjustment if using ascorbic acid instead of sodium ascorbate. John Finch increased the amount of it quite a lot, enough, possibly, to raise the pH and accordingly increase film speed and change other characteristics. Hence, perhaps, his...