Delta 3200 in PC-TEA?

[anyhuus]

I would like to try Ilford Delta 3200 (EI=1600) in PC-TEA, and wonder if anyone has any experience with this combo. I can't find any dev.times that i could start with either, so if someone has an idea, I would be happy.

The reason that I want to try the combo is convenience: I have only Rodinal and PC-TEA available at the moment, and I fear that Rodinal would emphasise grain in an otherwise grainy film.

 

[psvensson]

I may have tried this - can't quite remember. I would expect to get fairly low speed out of the combination, perhaps about 640 (as compared to maybe 1000 in DDX or D-76). High-speed films need a sulfite-rich developer to bring out the shadow detail.

 

[Alan Johnson]

Before PC-TEA had its own slot in the following tables it was recommended to use the Xtol 1+2 times, it's still there under discontinued data.It was a good start with the low speed films I used.
www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.html

 

[anyhuus]

I may have tried this - can't quite remember. I would expect to get fairly low speed out of the combination, perhaps about 640 (as compared to maybe 1000 in DDX or D-76). High-speed films need a sulfite-rich developer to bring out the shadow detail.

Thanks for bringing sulfite to my attention. I wasn't aware of what you say about sulfite and shadow details (=speed?). Maybe D-76 is a better choice than PC-TEA (I mean i don't have to use PC-TEA ) I suppose one would use stock solution of D-76 and not diluted (to keep the sulfite-level?)

 

[P C Headland]

I haven't tried Delta 3200 in PC-TEA yet, the fastest film I tried is Neopan 1600. You should however, get results similar to those obtained using Xtol.

For starters, where there isn't a time listed, I use the average of the D76 1+1 and Xtol 1+1 times for PC-TEA 1+50. If these vary a bit, I'll also check the Rodinal 1+50 time as well.

 

[gainer]

Thanks for bringing sulfite to my attention. I wasn't aware of what you say about sulfite and shadow details (=speed?). Maybe D-76 is a better choice than PC-TEA (I mean i don't have to use PC-TEA ) I suppose one would use stock solution of D-76 and not diluted (to keep the sulfite-level?)

If you think you need sulfite, you can add it to the working solution or the water of dilution of PC-TEA. 2 tablespoons per liter of working solution or water of dilution will make the sulfite content about the same as that of D-76 1:1. If you are obsessive-compulsive, you can weigh out 50.000 grams, but anywhere between 40 and 60 will probably not make a measurable difference in results.

 

[anyhuus]

If you think you need sulfite, you can add it to the working solution or the water of dilution of PC-TEA. 2 tablespoons per liter of working solution or water of dilution will make the sulfite content about the same as that of D-76 1:1. If you are obsessive-compulsive, you can weigh out 50.000 grams, but anywhere between 40 and 60 will probably not make a measurable difference in results.

Thanks for the advice. How would adding sulphite impact on development times? Other than the above mentioned speed increase are there other effects of adding sulphite to PC-TEA?

By the way, I find PC-TEA increadibly convenient. Long shelf life, easy to dilute, cheap (low consumption of chemistry). Esp. after I found out how to mix the C-vitamin into the TEA: Pour the TEA into a stainless steel pan, which is placed in a larger, lower pan with boiling water. After 15 min. stirring in the warm TEA, the Vit-C. has dissolved completely. No superhot TEA, no discolouring and no smell.)

 

[Loris Medici]

... I found out how to mix the C-vitamin into the TEA: Pour the TEA into a stainless steel pan, which is placed in a larger, lower pan with boiling water. After 15 min. stirring in the warm TEA, the Vit-C. has dissolved completely. No superhot TEA, no discolouring and no smell.)

Sorry for the irrelevant (and maybe ignorant) question but, isn't Vitamin C and any kind of metal vessel / utensil incompatible? I haven't used / mixed PC-TEA, but I mixed / used Pyrocat MC before - in glass containers using plastic spoons...

Regards,
Loris.

 

[anyhuus]

Sorry for the irrelevant (and maybe ignorant) question but, isn't Vitamin C and any kind of metal vessel / utensil incompatible? I haven't used / mixed PC-TEA, but I mixed / used Pyrocat MC before - in glass containers using plastic spoons...

Regards,
Loris.

I wouldn't know anything about that. I only found the method here : (there was a url link here which no longer exists), tried it, and it seems to work well. Maybe someone with more understanding of chemistry than I do could comment on this?

 

[Loris Medici]

Ok, I saw Gainer's post in the second page -> since it's suggested by the inventor, there should be absolutely no adverse effects... Issue is cleared for me. Thanks!

Regards,
Loris.

 

[psvensson]

Thanks for the advice. How would adding sulphite impact on development times? Other than the above mentioned speed increase are there other effects of adding sulphite to PC-TEA?

Adding sulfite will shorten development times, perhaps by 30 percent or so. It will also change the look of the film because of the solvent effect. In the case of D3200, it will keep the grain size down. It could reduce the accutance, or perceived sharpness, but Delta films are quite resistant to that effect.

I use MC-TEA plus sulfite myself, mainly for Delta 400. I agree that it's quite convenient since the water-free stock lasts for ever. And the image quality is better than anything, except perhaps Xtol.