Ansco 47

[ronlamarsh]

Anybody else out there tried this? I used per the instructions in the darkroom cookbook and my negatives were beyond bullet proof! Did anchell just get the dilution wrong? For sheet film he recommended 7.5 min with constant agitation.
Like I said my negatives were RPG proof.

 

[dancqu]

I found two formulas for Ansco 47.
What is the formula you used? Dan

 

[Ian Grant]

Anchell had the correct formula, (at least in the 3rd Edition, can't check earlier), there's only been one version published by Agfa Ansco. Old style films needed longer dev times due to their thick emulsions so you may need to cut the times back, or try diluting 1+2.

Ian

 

[dpurdy]

I have used Ansco 47 quite a lot. I use it for LF negs for pt/pd printing and it will give negs that print beautifully with no need to add restrainer. It will give you crazy density if you are out of control. But it can give very sparkling clean results. If I remember the original description I read years ago they said it was for controlled studio lighting situations. I have also worked out times for doubling the water in the dilution.
Dennis

 

[ronlamarsh]

I have used Ansco 47 quite a lot. I use it for LF negs for pt/pd printing and it will give negs that print beautifully with no need to add restrainer. It will give you crazy density if you are out of control. But it can give very sparkling clean results. If I remember the original description I read years ago they said it was for controlled studio lighting situations. I have also worked out times for doubling the water in the dilution.
Dennis

Dan

Can you post your times and dilutions that you worked out? Thanks

 

[Ian Grant]

Dan

Can you post your times and dilutions that you worked out? Thanks

I think you mean Dennis

Ian

 

[dpurdy]

I can be Dan. Then I won't get called the menace.

I currently have limited notes but I will give what I have. I used to have more but on my wall is only what is currently relative to me and I only use this developer for 8x10 film. Right now and for awhile the only 8x10 film I use is either Arista EDU ultra or TMY 1.

formula I use:
metol 2.25 grams
sod sulfite 67.5 grams
Sodium Bisulfite 1.5 grams
Hydroquinone 4.5 grams
Sodium carb... 9 grams
Potas bromide 1.2 grams
water to 1.5 liters

8x10 Arista Ultra 100 EI 80 diluted 1-1 70º 7.5 minutes
8x10 TMY undiluted stock. EI 250 70º 6 minutes
8x10 Arista 400 EI 250 stock 70º 8 minutes (I think this is no longer available film)
8x10 Arista 400 EI 300 diluted 1-1 70º 10 minutes

As I said this process if for platinum printing so the negs would be too contrasty for silver at these times. I think for silver I would use diluted 1-1

 

[Ian Grant]

That's just 1.5 times the Agfa-Ansco company's own published Formula & making 1.5 litres rather than the normal 1 litre, so all times & dilutions would be identical.

The Sulphite is anhydrous, your figure is for monohydrated Carbonate.

Ian

 

[lamda]

I've noticed that Ansco 47 is just about half-strength Kodak D-61a. However, I've never used either one.

 

[Ian Grant]

Quite correct, they match to within 0.1g, it's quite probable that the Kodak formula for D61a is a clone, Agfa & Ansco were both much older companies than Kodak, Ansco's roots pre-date Eastman Kodak by 50 years and Agfa were very active in early developer research.

Ian

 

[dpurdy]

I was first attracted to Ansco 47, and gave it a try, due the number 47. 47 is a number that I have felt somehow represents me since I was a child. I have seen now a lot of people are attracted to number 47. I once went to a local brew pub here in Portland and there was a large 47 painted on the back door entrance. I asked the bar tender why the number 47 and he said there is a club of people who feel like number 47 is their number and they meet there. I didn't join the club. I notice that number 47 is also prominent in movies. It always catches my eye. Weird eh?

Dennis

 

[nworth]

Interesting. I have a quite different formula for Ansco 47 from an old Ansco formulary:

Ansco 47
This is a long-lived, clean working formula. It is ideal for producing brilliant negatives in controlled lighting situations or for low contrast landscapes.
Water (52C) 750 ml
Metol 1.5 g
Sodium sulfite, anh. 45 g
Sodium bisulfite 1 g
Hydroquinone 3 g
Sodium carbonate, mono. 6 g
Potassium bromide 0.8 g
WTM 1 l
For tank development, dilute 1:1 with water and develop for 8 to 12 minutes at 20C. For tray development, use undiluted for 5 to 7 minutes at 20C. (Ansco data says not to dilute and to develop old films 6 to 8 minutes in tank or 5 to 7 minutes in tray at 20C. If diluted 1:1, develop old films 12 to 16 minutes in tank.)

 

[dpurdy]

That is the same formula. I just increased it by 50% to have a liter and a half instead of a liter. A better volume for me.
Dennis