Kodak Techpan

Could you chem mixing-creating types refer me to some books so I might be able to:

1) understand about what you are talking, and
2) mix my own, as needed, fine-tuning the mix for the job before me.

At present, I unscrew the bottle, and dilute with the prescribed ratio of water. Even my 4-year old daughter can mix her juice out with water. I should very much like to know more... just don't know where to start.

Thanks.

The Darkroom Cookbook by Steve Anchell and Troop is a good book that discusses chemistry, formulations, and considerations.

Insofar as formulations that are commonly used...you can find the recipes for Smith's amidol and ABC Pyro on the Azo Forum www.michaelandpaula.com

Another site that has formulations for developers posted is www.unblinkingeye.com

Beyond that you can find a lot of different photo formulations online by doing a google search for photo chemistry formulas.

If you want an understanding of film density and paper reflection density then the Ansel Adams series (The Negative and The Print are good entry level texts.

Another excellent text is Beyond The Zone System by Phil Davis. A dry and highly technical work but very good.

That probably will keep you busy for a little while. Good luck.

thanks

You might also look at the Mar/Apr issue of Photo Techniques magazine for the article "The Role of Antifreeze in Photographic Science" for some interesting staining developers you can mix yourself.

Hi Patrick.

Catechol/Ethylene Glycol and Hydroquinone/Ethylene Glycol worked just fine. No sulfites, no bromide. Plenty of proportional stain & tanning with both.

If you got it for nothing, I'd try Xtol or Rodinal as previously suggested. I don't think I'd go out and buy some Technidol just for the two rolls. But that's my choice. I'd stick to using PanF+ in Xtol or D-76 for my ultra sharp, fine gran requirements. For best results, I suggest using a tripod when shooting this film. All of it's qualities will be lost to camera shake if you don't. It's really slow.

I don't recommend Rodinal with Tech Pan - been there, tried that. Xtol might work. Pyrocat - HD does work. So does POTA and Technidol.