Clayton F60 and F76 Plus

Hi,

I would like to try a Phenidone based film developer to push a little (1+ stop) my films (Tri-x and Plus-X).

I noticed that Clayton makes 2 P-based developers but I can't find much information about them and in what they are different. Also, the effect of dilution and development times are a bit confusing...

Who used them with success?

Thanks.

F76+ is one of my go to developers. I use it at both 1:9 and 1:14 depending on development method--hand tank or Jobo--and ambient room temp. For example, during the summer my house room temp is generally around 82-83F. I will use the higher dilution to ensure reasonable development times. Regarding times, I've always used the Massive Dev Chart or info I got directly from Lowell as a start, and then adjust from there. Never used F60.

If you e-mail Lowell (Clayton Chem), he will respond with all the info you need.

Not recently, maybe 20 years ago I used both when there was a local dealer. I though both worked well, only down size compared to HC 110 or DDX is a rather short life once opened.

Both F-76 Plus and F-60 appear to be phenidone (or a phenidone derivative) based developers. If they used metol then this chemical would have to be listed in the MSDS for each. From the name F-76 I suspect that this developer is a D-76 variant using phenidone in place of metol. For your purpose either should work. However just because a developer uses phenidone does not automatically mean that you will get a speed increase. There are other factors involved. I point to HC-110 where this is true.

You can also get Crone additive from Photographer's Formulary. This is a solution of phenidone which you add to D-76 to convert it to C-76. It can also be used with other MQ developers. You then get the advantages of a PQ developer.

http://www.digitaltruth.com/products/msds/Formulary_05-6000_MSDS.pdf

I have used F-76+ over the last 5 years. I find that it works with just fine with both films mentioned, I have extensively tested it also with Fuji Neopan 400 and Acros also in 120 format.
My only negative for it is that it doesn't have a long shelf life. I had one 1/2 gallon bottle that went bad in the unopened original bottle, after 2 years in the darkroom under ideal storage conditions.
You can buy it from Freestyle with their name on the bottle, "Arista Premium Film Developer". Exactly the same as Clayton F76+ and private labeled for Freestyle. Link

Thanks Kreeger, I suspected this Arista developer as being a relabeled Clayton product.

Were you able to compare F76+ with D76 for instance?

Dali said:

Were you able to compare F76+ with D76 for instance?

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No, I haven't used D-76 since the 80s, but I used ID-11 for a period and I would say the grain and tonal values are similar.

My understanding is that F76+ is FA-1027. Any comments?

Old_Dick said:

My understanding is that F76+ is FA-1027. Any comments?

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Your understanding is correct.