DK-60a

[CollinB]

I picked up an old can of this at an auction yesterday afternoon.
Any good use for it? Anything special about it that would make me want to use it?

 

[Jim Noel]

It depends on what film you use and what format. Also, what type of final presentation you intrend to make - silver gelatin, enlarged, contact, alt processes, etc.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Kodak DK-60a

A general purpose negative developer.

Distilled water (50°C) ………………………………………… 750 ml
Metol ……………………………………………………………………………………… 2.5 g
Sodium sulfite (anhy) …………………………………………… 50.0 g
Hydroquinone …………………………………………………………………… 2.5 g
Kodak Balanced Alkali …………………………………………… 20.0 g
Potassium bromide ……………………………………………………… 0.5 g
Distilled water to make ……………………………………… 1.0 l

This developer was designed for deep tankeuse with replenishment. It is best used for MF and LF films.

 

[Werewolfman]

I love this developer! I've tested it with magnificent results. Dilute your DK-60A 1:3 and follow times for full strength D-76. This diluted developer is REUSABLE! Process 6 rolls per quart and discard. It's a very economical developer and the continuous array of tones are extraordinary! You won't be disappointed!

 

[Werewolfman]

DK-60A is very similar to Kodak's DK-50, but has more balanced alkali and sodium sulfite than the DK-50.

DK60A is more active than DK-50, due to the increased amount of Alkali and the Sodium Sulfite as the increased amount of the sulfite yields finer grained negatives.

If you use the times for DK-50 1:1, use them. If not, use D-76 full strength developing times. If you want to replinish the diluted DK-60A, dilute your DK-60A replinisher 1:3 and use the developer as usual.

Try it! You may get addicted to this developer and you may not want to use anything else!

I hope that I have given you some very valuable information on DK-60A as newer isn't always better!
Elliot C. Myrick aka Werewolfman

 

[Raghu Kuvempunagar]

This diluted developer is REUSABLE!

What is the shelf life of stock and diluted developer?

Try it! You may get addicted to this developer and you may not want to use anything else!

The same can be said (and has been said) about Pyrocat HD, XTol, HC-110, D-76 and several other developers. Isn't it?

 

[afriman]

You realize that the OP posted this question more than six years ago? Still. it's very useful information. Always interesting to find out about developers I haven't come across before.

 

[mshchem]

I have several cans of this in 3 1/2 gallon size. I think, the can looks as if it was made in 1957. It would be fun, but I've got XTOL that is my favorite.

 

[Werewolfman]

What is the shelf life of stock and diluted developer?

I've gotten a good year out of both! the stock and diluted DK-60A.


The same can be said (and has been said) about Pyrocat HD, XTol, HC-110, D-76 and several other developers. Isn't it?

Compared to Pyrocatechol only, the DK-60A doesn't mud up the highlights and gives an excellent tonal range when printing or scanning. The DK-60A is highly economical when using it in this fashion.