Ethol UFG developer and replenisher question

JW PHOTO · Mar 20, 2014

I have a few boxes of Tri-X 220 in the freezer and two cans of UFG developer that I'd like to use as a replenished system. Problem is the Ethol UFG replenisher is discontinued. I have done some searching and haven't come up with much about replenishing with the UFG developer itself. Anybody use UFG replenished with stock developer?

Many years ago (college Photography 101) a young lady was cheating by using UFG with our standard film to use Tri-X 35mm and I really liked her work in prints to 11x14. We were only allowed to use HC110 dil. B and Kodak Tri-X, but she was using UFG for some of her rolls. I didn't find this out until the class was over, but like I said, I was impressed. I tried it back then, but ended up using Ilford ID-11+ for a long time until I stopped doing much B&W. Now, I'd like to soup some of this Tri-X 220 in UFG replenished for certain scenes I'll be shooting this summer. JW

fotch · Mar 20, 2014

I use to develop 35mm in UFG un-replenished in the late 50s and like it. Not sure why, just beginning then & probably would of liked anything. I think your post is the first I have seen with any info or positive statements about it. Very interested in to hear how it performs for you.

Tom1956 · Mar 20, 2014

fotch said:
I use to develop 35mm in UFG un-replenished in the late 50s and like it. Not sure why, just beginning then & probably would of liked anything. I think your post is the first I have seen with any info or positive statements about it. Very interested in to hear how it performs for you.

Fotch as I look at your picture and hear about something in the 50's, I'm confused. I always thought you were a young fellow. Odd how we have conceptions sometimes about these people.

JW PHOTO · Mar 20, 2014

fotch said:
I use to develop 35mm in UFG un-replenished in the late 50s and like it. Not sure why, just beginning then & probably would of liked anything. I think your post is the first I have seen with any info or positive statements about it. Very interested in to hear how it performs for you.

Actually, the only reason I tried it back then was because it was "COOL" to try to get as much speed out of your film as you could. Even if it meant sacrificing speed for grain or sharpness. Kind of the way we used to be with hot cars! I'd like to see what it would do with several films I use now. Not so much for a speed gain as it would be for looks. I remember that young ladies pictures printed on Ilfobrom #2 paper having a really nice glowing look to them. Of course age does have a negative impact on memory sometimes, but I think that's what I remember anyway. I don't think she was using it as replenished, but can't really say for sure. I"ll let you know how it goes, but it'll be about a month or so down the road. JW

fotch · Mar 21, 2014

Tom1956 said:
Fotch as I look at your picture and hear about something in the 50's, I'm confused. I always thought you were a young fellow. Odd how we have conceptions sometimes about these people.

I was in 7th grade. Your only as old as you feel, sometimes I am youngish, other times, mature.

fotch · Mar 21, 2014

JW PHOTO said:
Actually, the only reason I tried it back then was because it was "COOL" to try to get as much speed out of your film as you could. Even if it meant sacrificing speed for grain or sharpness. Kind of the way we used to be with hot cars! I'd like to see what it would do with several films I use now. Not so much for a speed gain as it would be for looks. I remember that young ladies pictures printed on Ilfobrom #2 paper having a really nice glowing look to them. Of course age does have a negative impact on memory sometimes, but I think that's what I remember anyway. I don't think she was using it as replenished, but can't really say for sure. I"ll let you know how it goes, but it'll be about a month or so down the road. JW

Good luck and thanks.

Reinhold · Mar 21, 2014

I still use UFG replenished with authentic UFG replenisher. The replenisher was blended by the very person who used to blend it for Ethol back when you could get it in any camera shop. I have enough to last me the rest of my days. UFG and its replenisher lasts forever if properly stored.

Here's a discussion from back in '09:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Reinhold

www.re-inventedPhotoEquip.com

JW PHOTO · Mar 21, 2014

Reinhold said:
I still use UFG replenished with authentic UFG replenisher. The replenisher was blended by the very person who used to blend it for Ethol back when you could get it in any camera shop. I have enough to last me the rest of my days. UFG and its replenisher lasts forever if properly stored.

Here's a discussion from back in '09:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Reinhold

www.re-inventedPhotoEquip.com

Reinhold,
In my search for information on UFG I did read that discussion and checked your gallery's out also. It was fun trying to pick out shot that you might have used UFG on. As for trying to figure out how to replenish with the stock developer, since I have no UFG Replenisher, I guess I'll go by "trial and error". Also, another reason I want to use UFG is that I have restored to working order a Western Camera Co., Chicago, Il. Cyclone No.5 4x5 12 shot falling plate camera. I've added metal spacers to the plate holders and now use 4x5 film. I think Tri-X and UFG in this camera would be near ideal considering the lens, aperture and shutter speed limitations. Did you use UFG for some of you "Menicus" shots in your gallery? JW

Christiaan Phleger · Mar 22, 2014

I am lucky that I discovered UFG Replenished at the tail end and stocked up on both. I think it would be possible to use UFG Stock mixed to 3 ltrs instead of a gallon and use that as a starting point to test. I seem to recall that the cans of replenisher contained more than the stock. I take the 3 ltr thing from Kodak's recommendation in regards to the discontinuing of Microdol-x Replenisher, I think they recommended a 1 gal size of Microdol-X in 3 liters and adding in more carbonate. UFG continues to amaze, my stock and replenisher last a very long time mixed in sealed glass bottles.

JW PHOTO · Mar 23, 2014

RidingWaves said:
I am lucky that I discovered UFG Replenished at the tail end and stocked up on both. I think it would be possible to use UFG Stock mixed to 3 ltrs instead of a gallon and use that as a starting point to test. I seem to recall that the cans of replenisher contained more than the stock. I take the 3 ltr thing from Kodak's recommendation in regards to the discontinuing of Microdol-x Replenisher, I think they recommended a 1 gal size of Microdol-X in 3 liters and adding in more carbonate. UFG continues to amaze, my stock and replenisher last a very long time mixed in sealed glass bottles.

Yes, I think I'm going to start with a simple "stock as replenisher" first and see what happens. I have a PH tester and will monitor the PH as close as possible. If it starts to drop using the "stock as replenisher" I'll add some Sodium Carbonate to the replenisher stock solution or figure something out. I think I'm going to use it on the 4x5 Cyclone camera films first and see how that works. After that I'll try it with my medium format Tri-X, Chinese Shanghai 100 and HP5+ stock. I sure wish Ethol wouldn't have dropped their UFG-R since it would have made things easier that's for sure. JW

fotch · Mar 23, 2014

Probably a dumb question, why cannot the replenisher be made & packaged in smaller quantities for the customers of UFG?

JW PHOTO · Mar 23, 2014

fotch said:
Probably a dumb question, why cannot the replenisher be made & packaged in smaller quantities for the customers of UFG?

It certainly can as has been described above in post #7's link by Reinhold. He had them makeup a smaller quantity of replenisher for him. Size isn't my problem when it comes to the replenisher, but "ZERO" quantity is. Which mean it's no longer available. Usually when something like this happens to the replenisher it means the developer itself isn't to far behind. That would be sad! I think if I can get this to work using the stock for replenishment I'll stock up on a few cans to keep me going until I croak. JW

markbarendt · Mar 23, 2014

I have a small factory sealed can of the replenisher, dated Nov 89; says it makes a quart.

If your interested I'll bet we can come up with a minor trade or something.

JW PHOTO · Mar 24, 2014

markbarendt said:
I have a small factory sealed can of the replenisher, dated Nov 89; says it makes a quart.

If your interested I'll bet we can come up with a minor trade or something.

Mark,
I greatly appreciate the offer, but since the UFG-R is never coming back I might just as well get going on trying to replenish with stock to begin with. If I don't I'll be constantly trying to scrounge around for UFG-R, but I will keep it in the back of my head that you have a can of UFG-R in case I want to try something different. JW

Ethol UFG developer and replenisher question

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