High Contrast developer b&w

Paulo Roberto · Mar 21, 2009

I need a high contrast and high speed developer for b&w film. More than Diafine or Kodak D8. Any idea ?

Jean Noire · Mar 21, 2009

D163 diluted 1+3, although a print developer, can be used for high contrast work and increased speed especially for tri-x. You would have to do tests on the film and it gives grain like golf balls.
Regards,
John.

Keith Tapscott. · Mar 21, 2009

Paulo Roberto said:
I need a high contrast and high speed developer for b&w film. More than Diafine or Kodak D8. Any idea ?

Kodak D-19 perhaps? what film are you using, what sort of subject and what effect are you trying to achieve?

sidearm613 · Mar 21, 2009

I would agree with keith. D-19 is the way to go.
David

Photo Engineer · Mar 21, 2009

There is a recent thread on this here on APUG that might be of use.

PE

Ian Grant · Mar 21, 2009

John & Keith, the OP wants higher contrast than Kodak D8, both D163 and D19 are much lower in contrast in comparison

Perhaps he needs to be a bit more explicit.

Ian

Keith Tapscott. · Mar 21, 2009

Ian Grant said:
John & Keith, the OP wants higher contrast than Kodak D8, both D163 and D19 are much lower in contrast in comparison

Perhaps he needs to be a bit more explicit.

Ian

Ian, I agree, but the OP hasn`t mentioned specifically what film is being used or exactly what he or she is trying to achieve. A high contrast ortho-film for example might be a better option rather than a regular general use film. If the OP is more specific, it would make the question easier to answer.

2F/2F · Mar 21, 2009

I'd use Dektol or A+B graphic arts developer. Experiment first, with different dilutions and times, and exposures too.

Keith Tapscott. · Mar 21, 2009

2F/2F said:
I'd use Dektol or A+B graphic arts developer. Experiment first, with different dilutions and times, and exposures too.

There is more than one way to achieve high contrast, but it depends on what the OP`s goal is. Is it to make B&W enlargements? The use of a high contrast film developed in a high contrast developer and the use of extra hard grades of B&W paper spring to mind, but without specifically knowing, it is a difficult question to help with.

Jean Noire · Mar 21, 2009

Ian Grant said:
John & Keith, the OP wants higher contrast than Kodak D8, both D163 and D19 are much lower in contrast in comparison

Perhaps he needs to be a bit more explicit.

Ian

This is true. 'Tis a bit vague but if he really wanted high contrast then lith film may be the answer, if still available but hardly high speed.
Regards,
John.

Paulo Roberto · Mar 22, 2009

I'm using AGFA microfilm EcoPos 305 for microfiche. Temp 37ºC
Developer 80 gr sodium sulfite, 40 gr hidroquinone, 40 gr potassium hidroxyde and 20 gr potassium bromide. Dmax=2,50 Ok ! but time to developer is high

mts · Mar 22, 2009

Look into using one of the X-ray developers. I have used DuPont X-ray developer for P3200 film and gotten a nice straight line, steep characteristic curve.

nworth · Mar 22, 2009

Contrast greater than D-8 means a litho developer like D-9. D-11 is a less energetic possibility. Microfilm developers generally are in the ballpark. D-19, Dektol, and their like are lower contrast.

gainer · Mar 22, 2009

I would think that if one added a bunch of bromide to full strength Dektol and developed the heck out of most any film, you could get charcoal in snow, or at least dark chocolate in vanilla out of most any scene.

Ian Grant · Mar 22, 2009

When I get a bit more time I'll post a faster working developer for you. The quoted time is 0.2 seconds @ 180°F which by my reckoning will be more like 0.57 seconds at 37°C. The quoted time for D8 is 2 minutes at 2 parts Dev + 1 water.

The secret is no Potassium Bromide, instead a very high level of Benzotriazole.

The formula is by C Orlando, from Phot. Sc. Eng. no idea about the contrast.

Metol 13 g
Sodium Sulphite (and) 80 g
Hydroquinone 26 g
Sodium Hydroxide 26 g
Benzotriazole 200 g
Water to 1 litre

Dev time 0.2 seconds @ 180°F or a more manageable 0.57 seconds @ 37°C

You'd need to experiment but dropping the bromide level in D8 and adding and increasing the Benzotriazole instead will have a huge impact on the development times. The Bromide is at such high levels that it inhibits development.

Ian

Paulo Roberto · Mar 22, 2009

Benzotriazole 200 g its correct ?

Ian Grant · Mar 23, 2009

Paulo Roberto said:
Benzotriazole 200 g its correct ?

My mistake that should be 200ml of 1% solution apologies I was rather tired last night

There's a second formula which has the same amount, and a similar 0.2 sec dev time @ 170°F or this one which uses KBR & Benzotriazole, it's much closer to D8.

The formula is by L.S. Fortmiller, from Phot. Eng. again no idea about the contrast.

Metol 5 g
Sodium Sulphite (and) 90 g
Hydroquinone 45 g
Sodium Hydroxide 40 g
Potassium Bromide 10 g
Benzotriazole 1% 25 ml
Water to 1 litre

Dev time 1 minute @ 140°F

Benzotriazole can be substituted for the Bromide usually at around a tenth the quantity but this will vary with the formula.

Ian

High Contrast developer b&w

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