Crawley FX-11
Geoffrey Crawley is present editor of The British Journal of Photography. In 1960 and 1961 he proposed a group of Black and White Developers Designated "FX Series". This developer was compounded to give "fullest possible speed increase with the minimum granularity increase." Modified to USA chemical availability. FX-11 offers a ASA speed increase of 80% to 100%).
"FX 11 gives higher film speed than either Promicrol or Microphen. It probably gives the highest speed available at present in a solvent developer, with balanced toe contrast to ensure good gradation with thin enlarging contrast negatives. It has biult in 'sheen' to mask granularity by slight diffussion; definiition is not outstanding owing to the high rate of physical development, but sharpness is fairly good. Its sensitometry and sheen is sush that with correct exposure and development, no marked rise in granularity should be noted over commercial formulae despite its high speed exploitation."
"In FX 11 a preference for thin negatives with a density scale of about 0.8 0 or 0.9 over fog and base, and a normal contrast was assumed; the sensitometry of the develeloper is such that best quality is reached at that point, and it is not therefore very suitable for formats over 6x9 cm where a higher density scale is ofen required: By the time this higher density is reached, negative quality - granularity, sharpness and definition - will have fallen off. To obtain best quality at a higher contrast, with no effect on the increased film speed, increase glycin by 0.5 gram/liter; development times will increase slightly."
This speed increase may still be obtained on conventional contemporary films, and to an extent with tabular films. However, with tabular films, which seem to to respond less well to high-sulfite formulae, we recommend diluting FX 11 1:3 or more.
A variation for T-Max or Delta tabular grain films with just 30 g of Sodium Sulfite complements the Glycin characteristic of working best in low concentrations of sulfite. Glycin has a tendency to become excessively solvent when it is placed in a high-sulfite solution.
STOCK SOLUTION
Chemical Amount Units
Distilled Water 700 ml
Phenidone 0.25 g
Hydroquinone 5 g
Glycin 1.5 g
Sodium Sulfite 125 g
Borax (Sodium Carbonate) 2.5 g
Potassium Bromide 0.5 g
Distilled water to make 1000 ml
MIXING THE STOCK SOLUTION
Dissolve the Hydroquinone with the Phenidone at 68°f.
USAGE
A dilution of 1:3 or greater is recommend for tabular grain films.
REFERENCE
FX-11 Film Developer, 150 Popular B&W Formulas, Patrick D. Dignan.
FX-11 Film Developer, The Film Developing Cookbook, Stephen G. Anchell and Bill Troop, p. 47
FX-11 Film Developer, The Darkroom Cookbook, Second Edition, Stephen G. Anchell, p. 172.
