D23 questions

David Lindquist · Apr 14, 2022

grat said:
Spell check is a function of the browser, not the forum software.

Once more the depth, or rather the lack thereof, of my computer knowledge has been exposed.

David

MattKing · Apr 14, 2022

FWIW, you can "train" the spell check by adding words to your dictionary - just right click and click on the "add" instruction.
I do that with all the Canadian English spellings.

Donald Qualls · Apr 14, 2022

David Lindquist said:
Wonder if you could check your DK-25R recipe. The one in my Kodak Professional Data Book J-1 Processing Chemicals and Formulas, 6th edition, 1963 uses Kodalk Balanced Alkali (sodium metaborate) rather than borax and does not use KBr.

Yep, you're correct -- posting from memory at work. I remember it as borax because my recipe creates the metaborate in solution from borax and sodium hydroxide.

D-23 stock and Xtol stock (or the two at the same dilution) should have very little if any difference in grain with identical levels of sulfite -- only the developing agents would contribute to any difference. What I've read suggests the Xtol will be very slightly sharper, but that matters much more in 35 mm than it does in 4x5, since you aren't likely to need to make 16x enlargements from 4x5 negatives.

Timberwolf · May 14, 2022

I am experimenting with HP5+ 120 film at ASA 800, developing in D-23 1+3 for 20 minutes 68 degrees. First try at printing: found a time to get a very nice clean white and long midtone scale. However, at this printing time I do not get a good black even at B+F. Any helpful suggestions on what to do next?

removedacct1 · May 14, 2022

Timberwolf said:
I am experimenting with HP5+ 120 film at ASA 800, developing in D-23 1+3 for 20 minutes 68 degrees. First try at printing: found a time to get a very nice clean white and long midtone scale. However, at this printing time I do not get a good black even at B+F. Any helpful suggestions on what to do next?

To be honest (my opinion), you are taking a fairly flat film with a heavy fog base and developing it in a relatively low contrast developer, so it’s no surprise that your getting lifeless low values. This is not a combination I would pursue, myself. I suggest you try FA-1027 as a better choice for HP5

Timberwolf · May 14, 2022

This makes sense to me. Thanks for the advice.

pentaxuser · May 14, 2022

In reply to a question on whether D23 was in effect Perceptol here's the reply from John Finch of P:ictorial Planet fame. He has made a lot of videos on making developers

"
"Great information. Is Perceptol a fancy D23 formula?

REPLY

·1 REPLY

Pictorial Planet
1 year ago
Basically, yes.

Although I haven't used D23 at all I have used Perceptol at 1+3 and haven't seen a problem with getting good blacks

pentaxuser

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