Calbe/Orwo N-113 Adotol Konstant Paper Developer

[Richard Jepsen]

I have been using Ilford Multigrade and LPD paper developer. Both are great with a stronger nod towards LPD powder. I switched from LPD to Ilford due to the convenience of not storing 4L of LPD in my very small DR. However, Multigrade is a bit expensive and once opened has a short shelf life.

To experiment I bought a few packs of Adotol Konstant about $5.50 for a 1L package. I assumed the 1l stock mixed to a 1:1 working ratio. During my one DR session I noticed it was slow so I added stock developer and Ilford Portfolio came up in 20s. I extended development to 2:30m and got a great looking print. If used straight there is no price advantage over Multigrade. Adotol likely has better shelf life 1/2 opened.

There are no use directions on Adox package of Adotol. I did a Google search and AI informs the stock is used without dilution. Marketing implies if not exceeding capacity you can print the next day and get the same repeatable results as the first DR day.

Repeatability is a prime consideration and one reason I don’t save old paper developer or replenish. I have seen image degrades doing both in the past.

Does anyone have experience using this developer you wish to share.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

From the Adox website: "Powder mixes are not further diluted. The one Liter bag mixes one liter. The mix, however, lasts longer and has more capacity than the corresponding mix of a working solution from a liquid concentrate." No indication of throughput capacity or tray life, however.

Doremus

 

[Richard Jepsen]

You can use LPD a second day if making 4 or so 8x10s with no image degrade. The N-113 promotion material gives yo the impression it is the East Germain equivalent of the Long Lasting Developer LPD.

 

[Richard Jepsen]

Here is a print example of N-113 using Ilford Portfolio. Nice neutral tones biased to cool….blacks are rich.

N-113 is used straight and advertised as lasting for more than one DR session. Could the longevity be related to not diluting the working solution. Could adding water introduce more oxygen which degrades the working solution.

 

[Richard Jepsen]

This morning I re-printed the above image with both (20) day old N-113 and (1) day old developer. The (20) day old developer was gray and while it produced an image it is only acceptable for viewing just to see the positive image. There was a very obnoxious developer odor.

The (1) day old developer was also grey but lighter in tone. Again there was a unacceptable odor. I was re-using 600 ml of stock solution which previously developed (7) 8x10 RC prints. In this test I developed 1 5x7 of Ilford MCWT RC and compared to the previous days print also on the same paper.

The two prints are close. But whites are not as crisp and there are subtle micro tonal and color changes. For many people this would not be noticed. I won’t be reusing previously worked N-113 as the odor stayed in my nose 40 min after leaving the DR and the image quality did not meet my standard.

It is possible I exhausted the hydroquinone which I have heard can create a pungent smell. I have a sample size of one time so take this into account. Others may have a different experience. Fresh stock does produce a very nice print. But one time use makes the developer more expensive than other equivalent choices.

My DR is small and unvented. After developing the print I exit the DR to place a print in a water hold tray in the next room.

By careful chem selection I eliminated odors in my DR and of course intend to keep it that way.