dk-50

i was just recently given a package of dk-50. i have never used anything but hc-110. im having an aweful time finding any useful information about this stuff.

i shoot mostly tri-x in 35mm (at what ever ei the situation requires) and a bit of tmax 100. this is my first post here at apug, i figured if anybody could fill me in about this stuff it would be you folks.

It has been a LONG time since I used any of that. Films have changed in the meantime, so about all I can tell you is how I would go about finding times for myself. First, look in "The Darkroom Cookbook" to get something to start with. Next, shoot a roll all of the same subject. Use a few frames (inches) for a test. If you hit it lucky you're in and if you miss it, you'll know which way to go for the next test. You should do that even if you get a more definitive starting point from someone because we each have our own ideas about what is good.

You can learn a lot with one test roll if you use it a piece at a time. The first thing you will learn is is the developer is still good.

The usual place to find out some basic starting times is over at www.digitaltruth.com (click here) - massive development chart They show a time for Tri-x 400 of 6 minutes, 1:1 dilution at 68 degrees. I didn't see anything for TMax films, but that doesn't mean it's not possible. Of course you will still want to test this and other development times with non-critical film images and find the time that works best for your individual needs, and pushing/pulling will require some experimentation, unless someone else here has some practical experience with this developer.

Good luck, and have fun. And let us know the results!

Joe

I couldn't find any reference to DK-50 in my copy of the Cookbook. Do you know if there is a formula posted anywhere for it and what its special properties are? I have two small cans of it and I'm wondering what they would be good for.

i used to process sheet films ( tri-x + tri-x ortho ) 5x7 as well as 35mm + 120 in a deep tank filled with dk-50. it is a nice developer and a favorite for portrait photographers because it gives a nice crisp negative. the person i worked for would have me use replenisher and after the developer was mellowed by a bunch of sheets of film i would dump about 2/3 of the tank, and fill (mix) with fresh developer. when you first use the stuff and you aren't replenishing/ depleting it, the developer might be a little contrasty ...

the massive development chart's times are a good starting place, but i remember them being more like 7-9 mins. i would shoot and process a few test rolls before using the developer for something that is more precious.

i don't know italian, and google didn't really want to translate this page for me, but there is a formula for DK-50 at the bottom of the page...

http://xoomer.virgilio.it/morebacc/7formule.htm

- - john

glbeas said:

I couldn't find any reference to DK-50 in my copy of the Cookbook. Do you know if there is a formula posted anywhere for it and what its special properties are? I have two small cans of it and I'm wondering what they would be good for.

Click to expand...

I posted the DK-50 formula and directions in the APUG Chemical Recipes section a while back:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Dk-50 is a general purpose Metol/Hydroquinine film developer.

Thanks Tom! Looks like it could be used as a soft working print developer too if the M:Q ratios I saw in the Cookbook mean anything. At least I can use it if I run out of anything else to play with.