[QUOTES=jdef]
Hello Jay
"I think that ascorbates offer some unique opportunities for
formulating high acutance 2-bath developers, ...
In fact, these developers are so simple, that they can be as
economical as typical one-shot ascorbate developers ...
... I'm not so sure about a B to A developer. It seems like
the B bath being carried over into the A bath would lead
to a decrease in the life of A, ... "
That last sentence; I had in mind a one-shot divided developer
used multi-cycle. At start, A to B or B to A and repeat however
many times the film may need.
"Sodium ascorbate is alkaline enough to activate metol, ..."
I'd have thought it a little low. I'd guess not very active. Couldn't
be Very Active and still be the A of an A & B developer. Dan
"I tried another approach using phenidone/ascorbic acid, and sodium
chloride as the A bath. This developer gives film speed of EI 100 for
Pan F+, and extremely fine grain, with excellent sharpness. This
one might be a good alternative to Xtol when optimized."