BTZS tubes and Pcat

[eric]

I just started using these with terrible success with PMK. Upon reading more, it turns out that PMK is not a good thing with tubes. (I've used d76 with no problems) It seems that's what Pcat was designed for. But the instructions for BTZS tubes and 4x5 film, require 60ml of developer and Pcat states it needs 75ml of developer.
75ml is almost to the top of the BTZS caps.
How do you guys do this? Do you take the cap, pour into the tube? Or turn tube upside down and screw to the cap?

 

[sanking]

I just started using these with terrible success with PMK. Upon reading more, it turns out that PMK is not a good thing with tubes. (I've used d76 with no problems) It seems that's what Pcat was designed for. But the instructions for BTZS tubes and 4x5 film, require 60ml of developer and Pcat states it needs 75ml of developer.
75ml is almost to the top of the BTZS caps.
How do you guys do this? Do you take the cap, pour into the tube? Or turn tube upside down and screw to the cap?

You turn the cap upside down, pour the developer in, and then screw the tube on the caps. It helps if you have extra caps.

BTW, you can reduce the amount of developer to 60ml with no problem.

Sandy King

Sandy King

 

[eric]

You turn the cap upside down, pour the developer in, and then screw the tube on the caps. It helps if you have extra caps.

That's what I thought. Which means, I'll have to stager each sheet to 1 minute intervals.

BTW, you can reduce the amount of developer to 60ml with no problem.

Thanks!

 

[noseoil]

"Upon reading more, it turns out that PMK is not a good thing with tubes." eric

eric, I use PMK and tubes with good results. Basically, I use enough PMK to fill the tube to cover the film completely (my tubes are made out of 1 1/2" ABS black plastic drain line, 240ml / sheet with PMK). You will still need to do agitation cycles of about 15 - 20 seconds. Don't try minimal agitation techniques with this developer as streaking will be there. tim

 

[MVNelson]

Be sure to do the pre-soak at your choosen dev temp for 3 to 5 minutes and you should get very nice negs with both PMK and pyrocat(espacially -m(c)) using the BTZS tubes. The 60ml capful is quite sufficient for these developers. personally I try to slow down my spin rate a little compared with non staining developers . The extra set of caps are to allow you to temper your developer while you temper and pre-soak your film(s)/tube(s). SplasH on!
sorry a little over the top today...


Miles

 

[eric]

Thank you guys. I'll try one more time with PMK. I'm getting used to working with it and I'd hate to start another new developer. I'll try a couple of sheets this weekend.