Ethol UFG Replenished

MrBrowning · Jul 17, 2014

I have some film that i would like to use the Ethol UFG developer with and after reading the datasheet which says it's best used as a replenished system I'm at a loss. They don't sell the replenisher anymore. Can I mix the regular UFG in a concentrate and use that as a replenisher? If I do how much should I add at a time?

Christiaan Phleger · Jul 17, 2014

Yes, it does work quite well with replenisher, but they stopped making the replenisher at least 3-4 years ago and all old stock is gone (I know I tried. I still have some left.)
From what I can figure out, this method *might work*, the caveats being that it'll be harder to maintain the stock solution for the longest period of time, doing UFG replenished can last a super long time (I think I had a batch going for 3-4 years before I dumped it although I didn't have to.) SO this method may have some limits on how long you can run a batch.
Using UFG replenished means keeping the batch of UFG 'floating' in the zone of not too active and not too spent, the by-products of processing many rolls seasons the batch to where it really shines IMO. SO, mix one batch of UFG in gallon size as the working batch and then mix another 1 gallon container of UFG using 3/4 of a gallon so its more concentrated, then use the concentrated amount of as the replenisher, adjusting the amount siphoned off and added to the original UFG batch to keep the activity more or less constant.
I'm not saying this will totally work as the UFG replenisher, it is my *best guess* for what I will do when my UFG replenisher runs out, after giving MUCH thought to how to do this and not only doing XTOL and UFG replenished but also Microdol-X as well (and seeing that replenisher disappear as well, luckily I got many 1 gallon packs of MDX-Rpl). When Kodak discontinued Microdol-X Replenisher they published instructions about how to use regular MDX 1 gallon packs as the replenisher base, using LESS water and the addition of Sodium Carbonate. Those instructions (they may still exist out there in internet land?) led me to think that just using UFG stock more concentrated and accepting that the UFG batch will drop in activity much faster would be what I will try when the day that I use my last blue can of UFG Replenisher.
Oh, I would start with 1oz first.

MrBrowning · Jul 17, 2014

RidingWaves said:
Yes, it does work quite well with replenisher, but they stopped making the replenisher at least 3-4 years ago and all old stock is gone (I know I tried. I still have some left.)
From what I can figure out, this method *might work*, the caveats being that it'll be harder to maintain the stock solution for the longest period of time, doing UFG replenished can last a super long time (I think I had a batch going for 3-4 years before I dumped it although I didn't have to.) SO this method may have some limits on how long you can run a batch.
Using UFG replenished means keeping the batch of UFG 'floating' in the zone of not too active and not too spent, the by-products of processing many rolls seasons the batch to where it really shines IMO. SO, mix one batch of UFG in gallon size as the working batch and then mix another 1 gallon container of UFG using 3/4 of a gallon so its more concentrated, then use the concentrated amount of as the replenisher, adjusting the amount siphoned off and added to the original UFG batch to keep the activity more or less constant.
I'm not saying this will totally work as the UFG replenisher, it is my *best guess* for what I will do when my UFG replenisher runs out, after giving MUCH thought to how to do this and not only doing XTOL and UFG replenished but also Microdol-X as well (and seeing that replenisher disappear as well, luckily I got many 1 gallon packs of MDX-Rpl). When Kodak discontinued Microdol-X Replenisher they published instructions about how to use regular MDX 1 gallon packs as the replenisher base, using LESS water and the addition of Sodium Carbonate. Those instructions (they may still exist out there in internet land?) led me to think that just using UFG stock more concentrated and accepting that the UFG batch will drop in activity much faster would be what I will try when the day that I use my last blue can of UFG Replenisher.
Oh, I would start with 1oz first.

Wow thank you very much. I'm going to give it a try and I hope it works out well. I expect at some point to lose a roll of film to it (when it finally goes off) but I hope replenishing this way works out. I've seen a few threads where it's suggested but I have found anything where someone says "hey this works". Again thanks.

Christiaan Phleger · Jul 17, 2014

In all likelihood you won't lose a roll, it'll just be thinner. UFG in my experience is a very strong very durable developer, it never really goes dead. Make it a habit with UFG to agitate lightly; go easy on the agitation for the first minute and just do Rodinal style 'swirling' until you get a feel for how fast it builds density. If you use freshman D-76 style agitation (vigorous rapid and way too many) you'll end up with extra density that will mess with your times. I like it very much and was my preferred developer with Fuji Neopan 400 and especially Neopan 1600. Also keep in mind you need to really and I mean Really make good and rational decisions about exposure when using it in lower light levels.
Have a look at an image I shot with UFG at http://four-silver-atoms.com/2012/02/24/twirl-st-regis-princeville-hanalei-kauai/

volver · Jul 18, 2014

I had both UFG and Acufine developers, both are in same cans, same development times, and someone from RFF told me that these developers are "same".
I think it's OK to use Acufine replenisher with UFG.

JW PHOTO · Jul 18, 2014

volver said:
I had both UFG and Acufine developers, both are in same cans, same development times, and someone from RFF told me that these developers are "same".
I think it's OK to use Acufine replenisher with UFG.

Maybe, but I doubt it. Acufine and UFG are not the same. Close, but no cigar!

Christiaan Phleger · Jul 18, 2014

Correct: they are not the same. Formulated by the same fellow but he could not keep them exact due to patents. Acufine is close to UFG but seasoned UFG is the real deal, wide exposure range in low light with well printable hot highlights, finer grain than Acufine IMO.

MrBrowning · Jul 24, 2014

RidingWaves said:
In all likelihood you won't lose a roll, it'll just be thinner. UFG in my experience is a very strong very durable developer, it never really goes dead. Make it a habit with UFG to agitate lightly; go easy on the agitation for the first minute and just do Rodinal style 'swirling' until you get a feel for how fast it builds density. If you use freshman D-76 style agitation (vigorous rapid and way too many) you'll end up with extra density that will mess with your times. I like it very much and was my preferred developer with Fuji Neopan 400 and especially Neopan 1600. Also keep in mind you need to really and I mean Really make good and rational decisions about exposure when using it in lower light levels.
Have a look at an image I shot with UFG at http://four-silver-atoms.com/2012/02/24/twirl-st-regis-princeville-hanalei-kauai/

Thanks. I mixed some up the other night but I haven't had the time to get down in the darkroom and use it. BTW very nice photo.

Christiaan Phleger · Jul 24, 2014

I would try splitting your mixed batch up, and only using 1/2 or 3/4 as the working stock solution and use the remaining 1/4 as the replenishing solution. It seems to work a bit better when it has had a few rolls thru it; I was adding 1/2 oz per roll so 2 oz of replenisher to keep the stock UFG going. You may have to bump that up to 1 full oz per roll I think.

MrBrowning · Jul 25, 2014

RidingWaves said:
Also keep in mind you need to really and I mean Really make good and rational decisions about exposure when using it in lower light levels.
Have a look at an image I shot with UFG at http://four-silver-atoms.com/2012/02/24/twirl-st-regis-princeville-hanalei-kauai/

I know this is probably stupid but what do you mean by this? Is it because it's easy to block up the highlights?

RidingWaves said:
I would try splitting your mixed batch up, and only using 1/2 or 3/4 as the working stock solution and use the remaining 1/4 as the replenishing solution. It seems to work a bit better when it has had a few rolls thru it; I was adding 1/2 oz per roll so 2 oz of replenisher to keep the stock UFG going. You may have to bump that up to 1 full oz per roll I think.

Thanks I'll give it a go. I appreciate the help.

Christiaan Phleger · Jul 25, 2014

Actually in UFG the highlights remain quite printable despite being very dense, the main reason I said that is to encourage an accurate exposure on the parts of the image that you deem most important, so that the contrast of that portion falls well within the range of your printing paper. The shadows have lots of contrast but the highlights remain printable, and if you print on an excessively low paper grade to me that can look a bit off. I recall one of my first test rolls and I shot my neighbors white shiny truck in open shade, FP4 at 250 and probably over developed by one full stop, I had a bracketed sequence to see how far it could handle and one of the frames was 5 stops over exposed and even tho the roll was much too over developed and dense like a brick wall it still printed, it just took my cold light head about two min at f/2.8 to make the exposure (my usual print times are 10 sec at 5.6). Than impressed me with the 'compensating effects'.

MrBrowning · Jul 25, 2014

Thank you for the explanation. I'm looking at doing some night photography and trying it.

Ethol UFG Replenished

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