D76 v D19

cliveh · Feb 22, 2015

Today I developed a film and noticed that I have now run out of D76. At the back of my darkroom cupboard I found two old rusty tins of D19 that someone gave me many years ago. Having no experience or knowledge about this developer, can anyone tell me how it compares to D76 for film development? Also bearing in mind I normally develop FP4+ in D76 diluted 1:1 for 12.5 minutes at 68°F, can anyone suggest a time based on practical experience with this developer?

Ian Grant · Feb 22, 2015

It's a high contrast developer used for Xray films, aerial films when contrast is needed and scientific/industrial films and papers.

Used quite dilute it would be useable but would need experimentation and with film costs these days I'd wait and get some D76.

Ian

Rudeofus · Feb 22, 2015

It is described (including formula for developer and replenisher) in the Darkroom Cookbook as a high contrast developer, i.e. by the time you reach full speed you have higher contrast than with D-76. As far as dev times are concerned, quite a few are listed for D-19 in the Massive Dev Chart. D-19 seems to be much faster acting than D-76.

snapguy · Feb 22, 2015

Speed

I seem to recall some folks used D19 for 4x5 negatives back in the old Speed Graphic days. I always assumed it was not as fine grain as, say, D76. It's been a long time.

Ian Grant · Feb 22, 2015

D-19 was recommended for dish processing KODAK SUPER ORTHO-PRESS FILM the timewas 4 mins @ 20ºC but taht was at a time when films were processed to higher densities and the papers matched that. Press films weren't enlarged much so grain wasn't an issue, the Kodak data book I'm looking at states the max gamma with D-19 was 1.6 way above D76. 4 misn gave a gamma of 1, DK60a about gamma 0.75 at 4 mins.

Ian

David Lyga · Feb 22, 2015

Of course you can use D-19 for regular film but, because of the very high carbonate content, it will develop fast, very fast. The extra HQ will not really matter too much as far as giving extra contrast. It is the carbonate's effect that you have to mitigate, perhaps by adding baking soda to the (diluted) developer. (NOTE: D-19 is really more like Dektol than film developer.)

Try this: dilute 1 + 4, then, to the diluted working solution, try adding 5g of sodium bicarbonate per liter of working solution. That is simply a guess: you might have to add more or less, depending upon how fast development proceeds. - David Lyga

cliveh · Feb 22, 2015

Thanks for all the advice and I think I will put them back and wait to but some more D76.

walbergb · Feb 22, 2015

I had an old package of D-19 powder. When I opened the package, the powder was dry but brown. I mixed it anyway. The colour was still dark brown, so I tossed it. What I'm saying is that due to age, your D-19 may have oxidized already.

BTW, the massive development chart does not list FP4/D-19 combination. Not that the chart has the final say, FP4/D-19 is not a common combination.

summicron1 · Feb 22, 2015

freestyle can have a d-76 to your door in two to four days depending on where you live. it will take longer than that to figure this d-19 stuff out.

gone · Feb 22, 2015

It's times like this when having an old bottle of Rodinal around is helpful :}

MattKing · Feb 22, 2015

momus said:
It's times like this when having an old bottle of Rodinal around is helpful :}

Or even, buying two D76 packets, when you need one, and then buying a new one whenever you open your last.

D76 v D19

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