anyone currently using P3 in drums?

[Wayne]

I've been wanting to try the P3 chemicals (not the P3.whatever kit, which I've used many times in its older forms) for Ilfochrome for some time. I know it can be done and has been done, I'm just wondering if there is anyone currently doing it that I can compare notes with if necessary. I just ordered my first batch of bleach (will mix my own dev and fix) and hope to start up printing again shortly, just for a month or two for now. I'm basically testing this approach to see if it is practical and/or economical.

I'm guessing there is nobody else doing this but I would like to be wrong...


Wayne

 

[John Meyer]

P3 IN DRUM

Yes, every chance i get . Some time ago i bought 5 -20l kits P3 and
a load of paper.. Im using the ilford drum on a roller base (uniroller)
and a TBE-2 Jobo to heat the chems..
Ive recently talked a local photo supply house into order chems from
Wynit, for when i need them...this week im printing some Kodachrome
botonical garden stuff that i took last summer....
John

 

[Wayne]

I'm glad I was wrong!

How much do you use in your drums for 8x10/11x14? The official recommendation is to double the amount used for the P30 (or whatever) kit, so that makes 150 ml per 8x10. Back in the day (the 90s) people used as little as `110 ml per 8x10 with satisfactory results. My main concern is keeping the temperature within the required limits. It wasn't hard doing P30 in the old days at 75 F, but it remains to be seen if I can keep the drum at 86F through the bleach. I suppose I can do some tests with water first. I just have a roller base too, and a tray of water warm the chems but that worked pretty well before.


Wayne

 

[John Meyer]

P3 IN DRUM

I use 75,150, 250 ML 8x10 , 11x14 , 16x20 cpm paper.. for small printing sessions ill allso use a tray , small tub w/ tank heater..no problem .
I heat eveything up to 80f and dev @3min bl @ 4min fix @ 4min.
I allways start with a water pre soak at 82f,and drain it good so it wont dilute the dev.If i have a short printing period i partially reuse the chems adding 40% used to 60% fresh chems. i never save them for more than a day.
hope this helps
john

 

[Wayne]

Thats interesting. In the good old 90s you had to use more of the P3, maybe you don't anymore or maybe you got lucky with your particular drums. I also remember that in those days Ilford wouldn't guarantee the P3 bleach would even work below 85 degrees, which is one reason I never tried it. I cant wait to get started. I hope my paper hasnt deteriorated after 8 years in the freezer.


Wayne