BW-65 (Photographers' Formulary)

[Shesh]

What are the pros and cons of using BW-65 on FB and RC papers in comparison to dektol? The data sheet for the BW-65 developer says it works like amidol without its problems of staining and capacity issues. So, Does it mean it would give me deeper blacks and/or greater shadow detail? I have not used amidol either. so it is comparing one unknown with another. :confused:
I currently use dektol with both FB and RC papers.
TIA

 

[juan]

I tried it once for the same reasons you're looking. I did not find any real difference from Dektol - it's certainly not Amidol - at least not with Azo. I don't know about other papers. But then, it's not expensive, so why not try it to see if you like the results.
juan

 

[fhovie]

I found it to be softer in contrast to dektol but the blacks were no better which I was expecting because of the use of Glycin. Oh - well - The best GP paper developer for me has ben Agfa RC developer. It lasts forever - has great blacks and works well with all my fiber papers. (oh yeh - did I mention that it is CHEAP) The next step is Amidol and Azo. The Amidol is on the shelf and the AZO will get ordered next week. Of course then there is Kalitype and Cyanotype --- but all these require enlarged negatives so they will also have to wait for me to get that technology down. So far - lots of failures but I have not run out of ideas.