Kodak or Heico HCA

gphoto120 · May 16, 2007

What HCA is preferred by those of you with more experience in the darkroom and why ?
I have to place an order for darkroom supplies and would appreciate any comments.
Thanks!
Gphoto120

Monophoto · May 16, 2007

In my opinion, they are functionally equivalent. The Kodak product comes as a powder that must be mixed to form a stock solution, and as I recall, the volume is not convenient for storage. Heico comes as a liquid concentrate that is mixed for use, and in my opinion is more convenient.

For me, another factor is availability. I haven't seen the Kodak material in a shop around here in at least 10 years. For that matter, I rarely see Heico any more. For the last couple of years, I've been using the Sprint version.

Tom Hoskinson · May 16, 2007

20 grams of Sodium sulfite dissolved in 1 liter of water

jeroldharter · May 16, 2007

I like Heico PermaWash. I have never had any touble finding it. It is cheap and the liquid concentrate dissolves easily in water. As I recall, the dilution is about 3 oz in 64 oz of water. Easy to mix up on the fly. I buy mine from Calumet which provides excellent service and prompt delivery.

eddym · May 16, 2007

I use Zone VI HCA. Why? Because Fred said it was good...

Lee Shively · May 16, 2007

Home brew.

Rich Ullsmith · May 16, 2007

If you're placing an order, get 5 lbs sodium sulfite. What Tom said, or a tablespoon per liter. It's cheaper, and you can use it for other things, too.

Tom Hoskinson · May 16, 2007

Tom Hoskinson said:
20 grams of Sodium sulfite dissolved in 1 liter of water

If you like an HCA stock concentrate, try Anchell's Formula# 137 from The Darkroom Cookbook, page 162

# 137 Contains water (1 liter), sodium sulfite (200 grams) and sodium bisulfite (50 grams).

For a working solution of HCA dilute 1 part of the stock with 9 parts of water.

gphoto120 · May 16, 2007

Thanks for your input.
gphoto120

Kodak or Heico HCA

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