Any Pyrocat-HD photo examples?

Willie Jan · Apr 7, 2006

Hi,

i am searching for example prints with pyrocat-HD and non pyrocat developers used to see the difference.

Does anybody knows some links?

thanks.

Leon · Apr 7, 2006

Funnily enough .....

darkroom-tales.filmwasters.com/?p=10

Willie Jan · Apr 7, 2006

Leon,

thanks for you link.

when i look at the chair pictures

perceptol

pyrocat

i see a slight difference in black tone between these two. The pyrocat version should in my opinion be somewhat longer exposed because the highest black is not that black as in the perceptol version.

Or has this to do with the pyrocat??

Willie Jan

Leon · Apr 7, 2006

I think that's my poor scanning, and vuescans settings, willie - as I said in the text, in the prints, the shadows and mids are pretty much the same, and the darker portion of the wood grain on the bench is pretty much the same too, but the contrast between this and the lighter parts on the bench are significant. I tried to match this by reprinting using the same basic methods, with the perceptol neg, fiddling with contrast grades and exposure but couldnt replicate the perceived "shine" i was getting from the pyrcocat neg.

Also, dont forget that monitor types and settings can also afect the appearance of the scan.

I'm no technical wizz, and mainly judge my results on what I prefer to look at. Subjective, I know, but i suppose all visual assessments are.

Willie Jan · Apr 7, 2006

So the best way is to test it out myself....

where do you get your chemicals?

Leon · Apr 7, 2006

it would seem that way! I mixed them myself - much cheaper that way

Willie Jan · Apr 7, 2006

The problem where i live (the netherlands) is that chemical can not nbe bought on the corner... So i have to find a relayable shop in a foreign country.

colrehogan · Apr 7, 2006

Photographer's Formulary is where I get my Pyrocat-HD. I don't know if they sell the other developer.

Amund · Apr 7, 2006

Order chemicals from Artcraft

He`ll measure and bag for you, and it`s pretty easy to mix. I got chems for making a liter of Pyrocat HD and it was cheap, I don`t remember exactly how much , but around what PF charges for 125ml or so.

Willie Jan · Apr 7, 2006

does anybody know how long these chemicals can be stored when stored separated in the dark in glass bottles?

Amund · Apr 7, 2006

The HD I`m using is 9 months old, and still as potent as the day I mixed it.
From what I`ve read, the A solution will last at least a year, and the B solution for several years...

noseoil · Apr 7, 2006

Willie, my mixture from Photographer's Formulary lasted a year in the original plastic bottles as I used it. This was with a constant reduction in fluid volume, with air from the top each time the containers were opened. At this point I know it will last a year, but I don't know about proper storage in good dark glass bottles. I used it up in a year.

One nice thing about pyrocat is the ability to change dilutions for different times and results. I started with the usual 1:1:100 or 2:2:100 mixture, but now use the 1:1:150 dilution for minimal agitation whenever I can. This works well with Efke 100 and 35mm film, as well as 4x5 and 8x10 sheet film. The nice thing about minimal agitation is the sharp prints and crisp edges you get. It gives nice "edge effects" where dark edges meet light edges. It almost looks like a "mask" was used for the print because it results in a halo in some shots. There are a few examples in my gallery if you have access to that area. Best of luck, tim

gainer · Apr 7, 2006

The powdered chemicals will last quite a long time. The life of a glycol solution is very long. I would recomend the Pyrocat Paraminophenol formula as being easy to mix and very effective.

sanking · Apr 7, 2006

gainer said:
The powdered chemicals will last quite a long time. The life of a glycol solution is very long. I would recomend the Pyrocat Paraminophenol formula as being easy to mix and very effective.

I want to thank Gadget for all of his help in offering advice when I have needed to run a strange idea by someone. It is really nice to have someone around who has the curiosity and interest to just try things to see how they will work.

Sandy

Donald Miller · Apr 7, 2006

Willie Jan said:
Hi,

i am searching for example prints with pyrocat-HD and non pyrocat developers used to see the difference.

Does anybody knows some links?

thanks.

These two photos of mine are with different films and film developers.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

They also are printed on two different papers and paper developers...so I don't know that this will tell you alot. I have used Pyrocat for a couple of years or more...it is my standard film developer because I like it's characteristics.

Additionally I just posted an example of a minimal agitation Pyrocat HD developed negative in the standard gallery.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Good luck.

vet173 · Apr 8, 2006

Keeping properties are very good. If you think you will use it infrequently make only a 100ml stock solution.

Willie Jan · Apr 8, 2006

thanks guys,

i am convinced that i should try it out....

Sjixxxy · Jun 1, 2006

Amund said:
Order chemicals from Artcraft

Ok. I'm thinking about self mixing and looking over the list, the non-chemist in me compares the formula at unblinking eye to the list of chemicals here and doesn't see the word "Pyrocatechin" anywhere.

So, what alias does it go by that I should be ordering?

MMfoto · Jun 1, 2006

Sjixxxy said:
Ok. I'm thinking about self mixing and looking over the list, the non-chemist in me compares the formula at unblinking eye to the list of chemicals here and doesn't see the word "Pyrocatechin" anywhere.

So, what alias does it go by that I should be ordering?

You're looking for catechol.

Any Pyrocat-HD photo examples?

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