Donald Qualls monobath also works with Acros.

Hi

Since the release of New55's R3 monobath, there has been a resurgence in my area, to try out Donald's formula ( http://photo.net/black-and-white-photo-film-processing-forum/007cca ), since we cannot buy R3 over here in Europe.

I shoot a lot of Acros (especially in the summer), it's my main 100 ISO flm......so I burned a roll and developed it in Donald's original developer, multiplied up to fit my 1500ml bottle, just to see how it would go.

Pretty damn impressed!



I made some notes about my experiences here, if anyone are interested, there are also scans from the negatives themselves, if anyone would like to see and judge the development-process against the film-base and edge markings etc:

http://helino-photo.blogspot.no/2015/05/monobath-processing.html


Now, I am fully aware that there have been lengthy discussions about this subject before and the pro's and con's and all in between so....

But it is still quite interesting - and fun - to note that Acros fair so well in the HC-110 + ammonia monobath.

I actually like the look too, and it's very easy to process the film, it remains to be seen how long this developer will stay alive.

hi Helino

are you able to buy 5% ammonia in Norway ?
I am trying to find it or an ammonia hydrometer but with out much luck
what do you do ?

robin

Yes, we can buy it in the grocery stores here, they are similar to Lidl and others (as mentioned in my blog).

It is usually located in the section for detergent an cleaning, as the most common use for it, is to remove kitchen grease. The typical items here are 5% household detergent ammonia, usually called salmi and salmiakk (contains only water and ammonia).

Found a thread from the UK here (I think), which may get you started:
http://www.pcreview.co.uk/threads/amonia-based-cleaner-in-uk.2042717/

As for measuring the concentration, I know that people who have fish-tanks usually measure the water, so you may actually find a hydrometer in a pet-store.

There are charts online that show the specific gravity of different concentrations of ammonia in water. A sample here:

http://www.airgasspecialtyproducts....cal_data_manual/physical_properties.sflb.ashx

Narrow range hydrometers that read accurately in the range you want to use can be found on Ebay or lab glassware suppliers.

Not as convenient as a dedicated aqua ammonia hydrometer, as the reading has to be referred to a chart, but might be easier to procure.