Kalogen film developer update

John Wiegerink · Feb 17, 2021

Back in 2014 I made a batch of Kalogen film developer following Gerald C Koch recipe. it's been setting in the back of my chemical shelf in a half full bottle all these years. I repair a Leica R4S and a Minolta 7s and needed to do a fast test with each. I had some Delta 100 bulk and rummage in the chemical shelf and pulled out the half used bottle of Kalogen. Did a quick leader test and it showed it was good to go. I mixed it 1 to 99 with distilled water and the negatives came out perfect. The cameras not as good. The Minolta was fine and showed a very sharp lens, but the R4S has light leaks and needs new seals. I'm sure I can forget about buying anymore Rodinal now that I know Kalogen keeps as well as it does.

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...er-solutions-from-powder.119997/#post-1589989

Donald Qualls · Feb 17, 2021

Nice. I read in that other thread that this stuff is very similar to D-72, aside from using sodium hydroxide instead of sodium carbonate for the alkali (and including benzotriazole in the bottle). I've mixed Dektol stock to double strength (i.e. with half the water), and found similar keeping qualities (I have some that's sixteen or seventeen years old, and still worked less than a year ago). I'll have to stash that formula, since the only thing it needs that I don't have on hand is benzotriazole (actually, I have some Kodak Anti-Fog No. 1, which is BZT, but doesn't say how much in each tablet).

John Wiegerink · Feb 17, 2021

Don,
I remember reading in one of Gerald's posts where it can be used as a paper developer also. I think he said to dilute 1 to 10 or 1 to 15 with water for paper development. I never tried it with paper so I can't say how it works. It is nice to have developers with long shelf life for times when you want a fast developer that you're sure isn't on its way out. From the strip of negatives I just got I'd say this batch is a long way from going dead. With a ratio of 1:99 for medium speed films and 1:49 for fast films 500cc of this stuff will last a long time. Many folks are talking about HC-110 being runny and worried about shelf life maybe this is a good alternative to try?

Raghu Kuvempunagar · Feb 17, 2021

@John Wiegerink: Great to hear about Kalogen's longevity. I had no problem with storing it for over six months, but I liked the developer so much that used all of it. Apart from being an excellent developer for normal use, it works well as a first developer in B&W reversal processing when appropriate amount of halide solvent is added to it.

Wayne · Feb 17, 2021

Speaking of Gerald, where did he go?

John Wiegerink · Feb 17, 2021

Wayne said:
Speaking of Gerald, where did he go?

I was wondering the same thing as I was typing this thread. I hope all is well with him. He also would set me on the right path from time to time. A great resource here. It was fun to read the post between Gerry and Gadget Gainer. Gerry was "strictly by the book" and Gainer was more free spirited when mixing up his recipes. I have learned more here from guys like Gerry, Gainer and of course PE than any classroom Prof could ever teach me. Best of all, it was free.

Wayne · Feb 17, 2021

I hope he didn't go the way of Gadget and PE...

Murray Kelly · Feb 18, 2021

Wayne said:
I hope he didn't go the way of Gadget and PE...

Last posting 2 and a half years ago. I hope you are wrong, we have lost a lot of knowledge already

John Wiegerink · Feb 18, 2021

Murray Kelly said:
Last posting 2 and a half years ago. I hope you are wrong, we have lost a lot of knowledge already

OMG, you're right Murray! I never realized it was that long since his last post. I guess I just have this problem of thinking things and people will be around forever. I really hope Gerry is just AWOL, but like many here I always fear the worst.
P.S. Murray, the wine bladders are still working perfectly and I do hope you are enjoying yourself by making some more. Sincerely, JohnW

Murray Kelly · Feb 18, 2021

Good to hear, John. One happy note at last to finish my day. 00:05

Kalogen film developer update

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