Hi John,
Three pieces of information that I have gleaned users. First is the smell which points strongly to paraphenylenediamine. It is described as "medicinal but pleasant." Second is the observation that not all of the developer dissolves. People have observed silver scales floating in the mixed developer. This indicates the use of Gycin which has a rather low solubility in sulfite solutions. I could be wrong and Bluegrass maintains that the developer does not contain Glycin however I cannot explain the observation without its presence. None of the other common developing agents fit the observation. Third none of the other formulas suggested like Edwal 12 and the Germain developer produce exactly the same results as the Harvey formula. Close but no cigar.
From statements from the person or persons who mix up the kit they have little understanding of photo chemistry. Bluegrass isn't really in the developer business. Glycin is a tradename and if they buy with the chemical name then to them the formula does not contain Glycin. Anyway, all in all an interesting saga.
yeah , i know what you mean gerald
i've never used it, i've only gone by what others have said
.. and
things read, so my experience is more than
limited ...
i remember talking with the lady at bluegrass who mixes it up ..
and when i asked her about the recipe she laughed and said
she couldnt' tell me cause it was a secret recipe
and then she told me
" that website is waaaaaaay off " ( website meaning the unblinking eye article i linked to )
i guess it's one of the great mysteries: the sphinx, hanging gardens of babylon, lighthouse at alexandria
colossus of rhodes and harvey's panthermic 777