B&W reversal

Quick question for the hive mind.

I've been collecting the required chems for giving this a go at home using the Ilford cribsheet as a guide.

I think I have pretty much everything, but I was thinking of making a couple of substitutions, and wanted to see if there was something I've missed.

The sheet recommends either Bromophen or PQ universal. Both paper developers. Instead of ordering these specially, would it be possible to substitute Ilford Multigrade developer instead, presumably at the same dilutions as PQ universal. This is mainly because I don't want to have to get extra paper developer, as I'm happy using the multigrade.

The other thought of course is ditching paper developer, and substituting a film developer (R09 / D76 etc) with a suitable dose of hypo in there.

Any thoughts gratefully recieved

Probably, it's possibly not that different, Ilford used to recommend ID-62. Multigrade dev is balanced to give the same image colour regardless of Grade.

Ian

..1st developer; D11. dilution and time per your testing and film type.

dw

My last reply got lost in the ether

David, actually D11 is quite close to the Ilford and May & Baker (Champion) suggested first developers, both companies suggest half the normal concentration. The major difference is D11 has a much higher Bromide level, while the others suggest adding Thiosulphate or Thiocyanate. If ammonium or sodium chloride were used instead the finess of grain and sharpness might well be improved even further.

It's food for thought and I'll put it on my to do list.

Ian

Jordan W. has some notes on the Ilford method over at his site, here: http://www.photosensitive.ca/wp/bw-reversal-processing-notes as well as a method that uses HC-110 instead. Also here: http://www.kryptosinistographer.com/2008/03/technique-for-m.html