Dr Beer`s Two-Part Print Developer.

Keith Tapscott. · Apr 5, 2006

The formula for Dr Beer`s two-part developer uses Potassium Carbonate (anhydrous) as the alkali, can this be replaced with Sodium Carbonate (anhydrous), if so how much per litre of stock solution?
Also, has anyone any experience of using it with papers like Ilford Gallerie, Kentmere Bromide, Kentona or Art Classic etc? :confused:

Gerald Koch · Apr 5, 2006

Replacing the potassium carbonate with the sodium salt will effect the contrast produced by the developer by lowering it. From what I have read the Beer's formula actually does not have much effect on modern papers producing about a one paper grade change or even less.

df cardwell · Apr 5, 2006

From experience, the effect of Beers can be a good bit more than that, depending upon the paper and how you use it. With Ilford MG FB, I estimate the difference to be close to 2 paper grades, but the curve shape changes as well, which can have a profound difference on the image.

You can search for the conversion factor for the Carbonates here at APUG. I haven't found a significant difference between them in Beers.

.

Tom Hoskinson · Apr 5, 2006

df cardwell said:
From experience, the effect of Beers can be a good bit more than that, depending upon the paper and how you use it. With Ilford MG FB, I estimate the difference to be close to 2 paper grades, but the curve shape changes as well, which can have a profound difference on the image.

You can search for the conversion factor for the Carbonates here at APUG. I haven't found a significant difference between them in Beers.

.

Ansel Adam's version of Beers is posted in the Apug Chemical Recipes:

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

Regarding the Carbonates, I believe that you can replace the anhydrous Sodium salt with the anhydrous Potassum salt weight for weight, but I haven't tested this. Of course, Potassium Carbonate is more soluble than Sodium Carbonate, but given the amount of Carbonate called out in the formula, I don't believe this will make much difference in the end result.

Gerald Koch · Apr 5, 2006

Potassium salts are photographically more active than their sodium counterparts. This is particularly true with potassium carbonate. Books on photochemistry usually mention this and say that one cannot simply adjust for the difference in molecular weights. If the paper contains incorporated developing agents the Beer's developer will not work very well.

Donald Miller · Apr 5, 2006

Tom Hoskinson said:
Ansel Adam's version of Beers is posted in the Apug Chemical Recipes:

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

Regarding the Carbonates, I believe that you can replace the anhydrous Sodium salt with the anhydrous Potassum salt weight for weight, but I haven't tested this. Of course, Potassium Carbonate is more soluble than Sodium Carbonate, but given the amount of Carbonate called out in the formula, I don't believe this will make much difference in the end result.

While I have no experience with this particular developer, I do know that NaCO3 can be substituted for KCO3 in Pyrocat developer on a weight per weight basis.

Kirk Keyes · Apr 5, 2006

Donald Miller said:
[...] NaCO3 [...] KCO3 [...]

The proper formulas for sodium and potassium carbonate are respectively "Na2CO3" and "K2CO3".

dancqu · Apr 5, 2006

Keith Tapscott. said:
The formula for Dr Beer`s two-part developer ...
has anyone any experience of using it ... ?

I see from Tom's pointer I've been compounding the
Adams' version. Streamlined a very little:
Beers' A ratios; 1:3:3, metol, sulfite, S. carbonate
Beers' B ratios; 1:3:4, hydroquinone, sulfite, S. carbonate

Bromide as you will. I've found some papers need
none. The use of bromide will delay development and
may call for more exposure. Do intend to do more
testing with bromide and note it's affects.

I'm narrowing my work with developers to Beer's. It is
one of a few contrast control developers. What little
testing I've done so far has impressed. Dan

Donald Miller · Apr 5, 2006

Kirk Keyes said:
The proper formulas for sodium and potassium carbonate are respectively "Na2CO3" and "K2CO3".

Thanks for correcting me on this. My chemistry classes were almost fifty years ago.

Keith Tapscott. · Apr 6, 2006

Tom Hoskinson said:
Ansel Adam's version of Beers is posted in the Apug Chemical Recipes:

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

That`s what I was looking for, thanks Tom.

Dr Beer`s Two-Part Print Developer.

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