• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Kodak D-78 (Athenon is glycin) Asenon

Dublin 1977

H
Dublin 1977

  • Tel
  • Feb 16, 2026
  • 2
  • 2
  • 96

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
202,272
Messages
2,838,302
Members
101,242
Latest member
pjb
Recent bookmarks
0

Fuji_Bro

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jun 1, 2025
Messages
11
Location
Chicago
Format
Medium Format
Hello I could not find a section of the website for Japanese users if there are many at all…my question is for the Kodak D-78 formula published by EKC Japan in their book from 1938.

It requests “アセノン” / “Asenon” or “Asenone”

I tried searching Google but it must be an obscure trade name by Kodak or chemical manufacturer.

I tried to find a printed D-78 formula in English but not found so far. I saw the formula given online in some places but they are different from what I have so I can’t effectively compare them for a better lead.

The formula is:

Water 750ml

Sodium Sulfite Anhydrous 3g
無水亜硫酸ソーダ

Asenon 3g
アセノン

Sodium Carbonate Anhydrous 6g
無水炭酸ソーダ

Water to make 1L


みなさんへアセノンが何ですか。このD-78写真処方は読んでしたにアセノンが中です。お邪魔しました

Thank you for the help.
 

Craig

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 8, 2004
Messages
2,571
Location
Calgary
Format
Multi Format
I have a 1941 Kodak book titled Elementary Photographic Chemisty and the formula in it for D78 is the same as yours, except that "Asenon" is called Athenon, which is a trade name for Glycin.

As far as I know the only place to get Glycin now is the Photographers Formulary. Note that Glycin and Glycine are completely different chemicals.
IMG-8896.jpg
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
55,531
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
55,531
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
Great minds think alike :smile:
 
Joined
Sep 10, 2002
Messages
3,670
Location
Eugene, Oregon
Format
4x5 Format
My 2-second Google search turned up this:

The code "D-78" most commonly refers to
a specific glycin-based photographic developer formula used in black-and-white film processing. It was an official Kodak formula listed in their handbooks, and "glycin" was often referred to as "Athenon" in Kodak's internal terminology

Kodak D-78 Developer Formula

D-78 is known for being a slow, clean-working developer that provides low contrast and has good keeping properties. It was particularly popular as a paper developer, but was also noted as an excellent developer for film (e.g., FX2, Edwal 10, or D-78).

A common formulation for Kodak D-78 is as follows:

  • Water (at 125°F/52°C): 750 ml
  • Metol: 7 g
  • Sodium Sulfite (anhydrous): 70 g
  • Paraphenylenediamine: 7 g
  • Glycin: 7 g
  • Cold water to make: 1 liter
The chemicals should be dissolved in the order listed, making sure the metol is fully dissolved with a pinch of sulfite before adding the other ingredients.

Best,

Doremus
 

Craig

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 8, 2004
Messages
2,571
Location
Calgary
Format
Multi Format
I have no idea where the above formula comes from but it doesn't match D-78 in Kodak's books. More AI nonsense I suspect.
 
OP
OP

Fuji_Bro

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jun 1, 2025
Messages
11
Location
Chicago
Format
Medium Format
Thank you thank you!

Yes correctly translating glycin from Japanese was a pain in the head last week. I need an industry/medical dictionary.

In case anyone in the future stumbles upon this thread:

Glycin グリシン
Glycine アミノ酢酸 (アミノさくさん)

IMG_0092.jpeg
 

Craig

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 8, 2004
Messages
2,571
Location
Calgary
Format
Multi Format
These days we are better off using CAS numbers to identify specific chemicals. Glycin's number is CAS 122-87-2
 
OP
OP

Fuji_Bro

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jun 1, 2025
Messages
11
Location
Chicago
Format
Medium Format
Perfect I will add a column to my vocabulary spreadsheet for CAS numbers. Some old formula books would give the chemical makeup but the list is never exhaustive.
IMG_0093.jpeg
 

mshchem

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Nov 26, 2007
Messages
16,307
Location
Iowa City, Iowa USA
Format
Medium Format
I have 2 or 3 brown glass bottles of Kodak Athenon. Crystals are tan, look better than one would expect for being 85 years old. I should try it.
 

lamerko

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2022
Messages
838
Location
Bulgaria
Format
Multi Format
As far as I know, this chemical is very unstable. I've long since given up on using it - I don't really have a reliable source that can guarantee it's fresh...
 

mshchem

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Nov 26, 2007
Messages
16,307
Location
Iowa City, Iowa USA
Format
Medium Format
As far as I know, this chemical is very unstable. I've long since given up on using it - I don't really have a reliable source that can guarantee it's fresh...

Yep, back in my youth, 1980s I bought a 100 gram bottle of glycin from a scientific company for print developer. It worked fine for several years. Eventually turned into a brown blob.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom