2 stop push with DK50

I just pulled a rooky mistake, a couple of weeks ago I loaded my Minolta X700 with Finesse 100, forgot to remove the Kentmere 400 box end from the film reminder holder. Saw the box end and changed the ISO to 400. When I got home and pulled the film from the camera saw what I did. So for a 2 stop push, I had D76, F76+, Rondinal, and DK 50. DK 50 is very energetic with short development times, figured 7 minuets at 70 degrees. Just looked at the negatives, really pleased with how much shadow details were retained. I think the grain will be suffer and contrast may be a problem, will know when I pint in a few days.

Hey well those things happen; did you use any dilution? I did a fair amount of DK-50 but usually 1:1 and there was no speed loss, so I would think it could handle a fairly mild push easily. It is strong stuff.

Paul Howell said:

figured 7 minuets at 70 degrees

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So you went for 18th-Century dance times.

(Sorry, couldn't help myself )

I used stock, figured that I had gone 1:1 or 1:2 I would get increased gain.

Paul Howell said:

I used stock, figured that I had gone 1:1 or 1:2 I would get increased gain.

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Paul,
I haven't used DK-50 in a while, but I don't think you would have seen a very big increase in grain by diluting. DK-50 is not a fine grain developer to begin with and with the very small amount of Sodium Sulfite solvency is very little. Diluting to say 1:4 should not see grain increase much, if any. I have used it at that dilution and don't remember being shocked by increased grain, but I also shoot 120 and not 35mm. I think DK-50 is a very simple developer to make and use, that gives very good results. Yes, Kodalk (sodium medaborate) is hard to find some places, but not impossible and it can also be made from scratch. I don't have a problem since I have 15 to 20lbs in a large round cardboard container with Kodaks lable right on it. I'd say enough to last me a day or two. Paul, keep use posted as to your progress with DK-50 and your own personal opinion of the developer. JohnW

I use DK-50 when I want make a carbon transfer print with HP5. It's a very robust developer. I'm not surprised that it makes for a good push developer. Two stops under is quite manageable (although I'm not familiar with Finesse 100). According to push tests I conducted recently, I can use HP5 at EI 1600 with only a wee loss in shadow detail (that was in Xtol-R, though). Would love to see your results!

I will try to find time this afternoon, I use Dk50 replenished with 4X5, Foma 400 or HP5, shot at box speed 31/2 minutes at 68 degrees. I get my Dk50 from Ebay old stock, cans rather than bags. I assume that Fineness will show more grain than Tmax 100 or PF4, had not thought it through, as an acutance formula dilution will make much of a difference in grain size. I hope not to repeat the same mistake, have not done that in many years. Then again if I can get decent results may try Dk50 with Tmax 3200 shot at box speed.

Back in the 70s I did news work with 35mm Tri-X and straight DK-50. For one stop push, I increased total time 50%. For a two stop push, I doubled the development time. Of course that was for Tri-X from the seventies.