Development Time for 620 Verichrome Pan, I'd estimate at least 20 Years Old

[Split70mm]

We had a customer that sent us a roll of this stuff in. We normally run dip-and-dunk with T-Max developer in a replenished system, but I am scared that such a "vigorous" developer will only compound an already high age fog on the film.


Am not interested in hearing favorite developers, old wives tales, I'd like advice on commercially available or commercially modifiable developers that would be best for this old film,along with a time perhaps.

I have an old old bag of forget the compound name, but basically an anti-fog agent I can add, have access to Perfection XR-1 (probably no good for this), D:76 stock, already mentioed T-max (too vigorous), DK60a (predecessor to HC-110, we basically have a lifetime supply probably not a good idea), some PMK (probably not a good idea) and plenty of Dektol, maybe a bag of D-19 lying around to boot.



Advice is very much appreciated. Want to get the best for this customer, even though this isn't up our alley

XXLtdLab

 

[Mike Wilde]

Any old Kodak Darkroom Dataguide with the calculator dial at hand?
I usually use straight D76 at 24C for old films, and use the development dial to figure out the adjusted time at 24C.

I find that most of my old film needs about 150% of the recommended development time to build sufficient contrast to print it optically.

Read up on westfordcom for his adventures with processing old found film, and the fun of things like pre soaking to get old backing paper off the fil, and the joys of wrestling it onto the processing reel.


I run processing for old films warm at 24C to limit the amount of time the old film has to build fog.

If I have a lot of one kind old film (I love old 100' bulk rolls), I add in some benzotriazole to tame fog, but it is not a one shot thing to sort out the added development needed to overcome the action of the restrainer.

 

[wogster]

We had a customer that sent us a roll of this stuff in. We normally run dip-and-dunk with T-Max developer in a replenished system, but I am scared that such a "vigorous" developer will only compound an already high age fog on the film.


Am not interested in hearing favorite developers, old wives tales, I'd like advice on commercially available or commercially modifiable developers that would be best for this old film,along with a time perhaps.

I have an old old bag of forget the compound name, but basically an anti-fog agent I can add, have access to Perfection XR-1 (probably no good for this), D:76 stock, already mentioed T-max (too vigorous), DK60a (predecessor to HC-110, we basically have a lifetime supply probably not a good idea), some PMK (probably not a good idea) and plenty of Dektol, maybe a bag of D-19 lying around to boot.



Advice is very much appreciated. Want to get the best for this customer, even though this isn't up our alley

XXLtdLab

I would think 620 Verichrome Pan, is more then 20 years old, probably closer to 40....

 

[hpulley]

Look at that hair, looks a bit like Leave it to Beaver!

1959 expired VP620, bought in a lot along with unexposed rolls of the same year. HC-110 dilution B 6:00 @18C.


Fifties Dad mowing the lawn with son looking on (crop) by Harry Pulley, on Flickr

I always use HC-110 1+31 for old Verichrome Pan of 1959-1985 vintage that I've developed so far.

 

[Pgeobc]

"...DK60a..."

I used that when I wuzza kid, in the 1950s. IIRC, it was rather contrasty. My my. It was available in single-shot powder packs and worked well enough, I guess, for home use.

 

[pentaxuser]

]Fifties Dad mowing the lawn with son looking on (crop

Looks a bit like one of the Everly Bros, Harry. Can't remember which

pentaxuser

 

[nworth]

From the Kodak Master Darkroom Dataguide, 1966, Develop Verichrome Pan 6.5 minutes in D-76 (undiluted), 8.5 minutes in D-76 (1+1), 3.3 minutes in DK-50 (undiluted), 5.3 minutes in DK-50 (1+1), 3.5 mimutes in HC-110 (dilution A) or 7.5 minutes in HC-110 (dilution B) at 20C.

 

[Split70mm]

Developed in HC-110. Results were marginal, but that is due to the age of the film I guess.

Now I'm in a similar dilemma, customer wants a rush with some old 120 of the same era from what I can gather (yellow paper with similar markings). Now I am out of HC-110, only have: Selectol S, Rodinol, still the PMK, DK-60a, and Perfection.

I'm almost thinking Perfection, in a non-push capacity would be best, but it is an OLD one-use packet.



No offense, but the last time I attempted to elicit advice, it degenerated to nostalgia, although I guess HC-110 was a good choice last time. Why? What properties, restraining and reducing make one better over another?

As I think I mentioned before I am spoiled by set developers in color processes. But I want to reduce fog and increase contrast as much as possible without getting further grain buildup, correct? What is the best developer for this, not what was used back when the stuff was new in the '50s, or what you've always used more through habit than any particular habit (HC-110 I know is/was? a very vigorous good contrast producing developer, but I'd think dilution A would be best for contrast; I used B only because otherwise would've made development time too short for good uniformity).

Any replies in the next six hours, you get a golden cookie award! ;-)