I just found 16 packages of D-19 developer in a box that came with a bunch of darkroom stuff from many years ago. Do I try it on some Fomapan 100 I have , sell it or throw away?
D-19 developer
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Packages suggest it's a powder. If the powder is still sealed in the original packets then I see no reason why it can't be tried least. Others who have actual experience will be better sources of informatíon
pentaxuser
It likely just fine as long as the packets are air tight. D 19 is a high contrast developer, so with Foma 100 you might want to dilute it a bit, 1:2 even 1:4, then do a clip test to find a good starting time. I guess I would shoot Foma at 100. The MDC might have a suggested time. You can sell it as folk into alternative process might use it, I think Photographers Formality still sells a version of it.
What amongst the ingredients or combination of ingredients make this a high contrast developer ?
Thanks
pentaxuser
Im not sure, would need to look up the formula, but from my 1966 Kodak Master Data Guide
"A high capacity rapid clean working developer yielding high contrast negatives in four to five minutes, Especially suited to technician and scientific uses." Not as high contrast as D11.
"A high capacity rapid clean working developer yielding high contrast negatives in four to five minutes, Especially suited to technician and scientific uses." Not as high contrast as D11.
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D-19 is a lovely developer for reversal processing, but I wouldn't use it for negative films unless you like increased contrast and grain compared to something like D-76.
Mainly the relatively high Carbonate content.
other than that it's a fairly standard MQ formula (with some Bromide thrown in to counter the fog from its high activity).
Mainly the relatively high Carbonate content.
other than that it's a fairly standard MQ formula (with some Bromide thrown in to counter the fog from its high activity).
I have several packets of D19; they are still good.
I use perhaps one gallon in a whole year.
It’s useful for increasing contrast (often developing in D76 for half the developing time).
I use perhaps one gallon in a whole year.
It’s useful for increasing contrast (often developing in D76 for half the developing time).
It's closer to paper developer in composition and effect.
D19 was used by a country vet for developing their X-Ray film, this was about 40-45 years ago. I managed to end up with some and used it a bit whenever I could scrounge some from them.
I remember that it worked very, very well for architectural photography in low contrast light, and it worked quite well for architectural photography in bright light.
I think you will be pleasantly surprised with it.
I remember that it worked very, very well for architectural photography in low contrast light, and it worked quite well for architectural photography in bright light.
I think you will be pleasantly surprised with it.
Thanks for the reply and to others who replied. I had a quick look at the results D19 produces in an article by Alex Luyckx and while he says the same about it being a high contrast developer the results he showed looked perfectly acceptable or so I felt anyway
Certainly worth trying if you happen to have a stock of it
pentaxuser
Well if Kodak's description from the 60s is to be trusted it is higher in contrast, likely useful when higher contrast and edge sharpness was needed for scientific and technical photography when small details were important. Also in low contrast scenes.
Compare the formulas:
D-19:
Ingredients and Quantities (for 1 liter):
- Distilled Water (48°C/125°F): 500 ml
- Metol: 2 grams
- Sodium Sulfite (anhydrous): 90 grams
- Hydroquinone: 8 grams
- Sodium Carbonate (monohydrate): 52.5 grams
- Potassium Bromide: 5 grams
- Cold water to make: 1 liter
| Water 125F/52C | 500 | ml |
| Metol | 3.1 | g |
| Sodium Sulfite (anhydrous) | 45 | g |
| Hydroquinone | 12 | g |
| Sodium Carbonate (monohydrate) | 75 | g |
| Potassium Bromide | 1.9 | g |
| Cold water to make | 1000 | ml |
Any chance of a link to the article?
Interesting. here a table which compares the two with D-72 diluted 1+0.5:
| Ingredient | D-19 (per 1 liter) | Adjusted D-72 (per 1 liter) |
| Distilled Water (48°C/125°F) | 500 ml | 500 ml |
| Metol | 2 grams | 2.07 grams (3.1/1.5) |
| Sodium Sulfite (anhydrous) | 90 grams | 30 grams (45/1.5) |
| Hydroquinone | 8 grams | 8 grams (12/1.5) |
| Sodium Carbonate (monohydrate) | 52.5 grams | 50 grams (75/1.5) |
| Potassium Bromide | 5 grams | 1.27 grams (1.9/1.5) |
| Cold water to make | 1 liter | 1 liter |
so basically the same with D-19 having significantly more sulfite (potentially smaller grain) and Bromide (lower base fog)
Mick, I am not very good with computers and links but if I have done this correctly it should be below
Developer Review Blog No. 39 – Kodak D-19
http://www.alexluyckx.com/blog/2023/03/27/developer-review-blog-no-39-kodak-d-19/pentaxuser
Pentaxuser, thanks for the link, great pictures and it certainly suggests that architectural photography likes this developer.
I used D-19 extensively as a developer for 400 ASA film shot as a technical film in Medical Diagnostic photography. I needed the higher contrast and the extra grain was not a factor. I used it 1:1 for about 6:00 min in continuous agitation. I got pretty clean negatives without a lot of BF.
I have 7 1 gallon packs of D-19 in stock, about three life times supply for my present use, so if anyone would like to try one, PM me and we can work out some deal for postage. Not interested in making money, just pass it on to a fellow photographer. Better than throwing in out
I have 7 1 gallon packs of D-19 in stock, about three life times supply for my present use, so if anyone would like to try one, PM me and we can work out some deal for postage. Not interested in making money, just pass it on to a fellow photographer. Better than throwing in out
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