A low sulfite sodium ascorbate film developer

[bill williams]

Having given up on xtol long ago, I've instead been using a simple substitute for several months. Pat Gainer's many articles inspired me to experiment with ascorbic acid untill I finnally formulated the developer for which I'll list the ingredients below. This developer exceeds(in my opinion) xtol in both acutance and fineness of grain. You do pick up a little film speed with this developer.

I normally only mix as little as I need for what exposed film I have on hand to develope, and normally use tap water. However, if you plan on mixing extra and want to store it, I'd suggest you use distilled water. I do not know its keeping properties. The sodium ascorbate is distribute by Bronson, and I find it in vitamin stores. The phenidone solution is a 1% solution using 91 to 99 percent alcohol, though I've used 70% alcohol and it(the phenidone solution) kept very well. This formula is a slight correction of a formula I posted on Pure Silver. My mistake there was I'd listed 8 grams instead of 5 grams of Sodium Ascorbate.


LSD-6 (Low Sulfite Developer)

Water 750 ml
Sodium Sulfite (A) 30 grams (approx 4 teaspoons)
Sodium Ascorbate Powder 5 grams (approx 1 teaspoon)
Phenidone 1% solution 5 ml (approx 1 teaspoon)
Water to Make 1 liter

I rarely pull out the scales, just use the teaspoon measures.

A good starting point for developing t-max and delta films is 11 minutes @ 72 Degrees F, and older type films for 10 minutes @ 72 Degrees F. I've actually developed 8 different types of film all at the same time in the same soup for the exact same time and got negatives that would all properly print on # 2 paper. WITH the exception of FOMA film. It was over developed.

I believe anyone that tries this formula will be very please with it.

Bill Williams

 

[jim appleyard]

Thanks Bill. 30g of sulfite should give a very sharp image! I look forward to trying it.