Here in the U.S Photographer's Formulary sells a version D23 with a replenisher. It is a kit, not sure if Freestyle carries it or not.
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I have always found PMK distinctive for a lot of work, I use it all the time and sometimes revert back to ID11
You can't really buy that one, can you? Which is to say, I'm sure someone, somewhere probably offers 'kits' of two bags, but it doesn't seem a commonly carried item at most photographic outlets.
Is there really much to be gained from Pyro , FX 55, and other mix yourself etc developers over stock developers such as ID11, Microdol X , Accufine ,etc?
Don't forget PRICE -- that's the kicker for me. Maybe 10% of the cost of the name brands. Sure, there are upfront costs, and different approaches/gear, but well worth it -- unless this is just "something to do this summer".
Plus, you get to know exactly how much of what is in the mix -- and the quality of the chemicals is up to you.
And you save even more $$$$ when you realize you only needed to mix 20 ounces for the job -- instead of an entire gallon.
Well, it is available on B&H
You can't really buy that one, can you? Which is to say, I'm sure someone, somewhere probably offers 'kits' of two bags, but it doesn't seem a commonly carried item at most photographic outlets.
Thanks; @Paul Howell also pointed out that Formulary apparently makes it. We don't get that here in Europe so I had never seen it.
Hi Bob,
What differences do you observe when printing a PMK processed negative compared with an ID11 developed negative?
I'm assuming that you use ID11 diluted rather than stock.
Is there really much to be gained from Pyro , FX 55, and other mix yourself etc developers over stock developers such as ID11, Microdol X , Accufine ,etc?
I notice much better highlight and upper mid tone separation when using PMK , I believe due to the hardening effect. I use ID11 when I feel the negatives may need a push in development. I have found that PMK only works well with overexposure at time of imaging, for other scenes I revert to ID11.
I have mixed my own chemistry in the past, have an old Kodak balance scale. Here in the Phoenix Metro area there are few providers of raw chemistry and most only sell wholesale, paying for shipping brings the price up to the point that I would just rather buy prepared developers. The quest on OP asked maybe more do with why a specialized developer like Pyro or a FX type rather than one that be found in most retail stores or online. Is there any significant difference between Pyro and Xtol or D76 and Edwal 12? I would say yes, but a very narrow yes. Pyro, do we need Pyro when you can split print a high contrast negative?
Thanks Bob,
I always down rate film speeds a bit anyway, as I find it gives me better tonality. I usually use D76 diluted 1+1.
Also, I'm not a slave to development charts.
Maybe one day I will try PMK out of curiosity just to see how it compares.
This seems to be a good place to ask about FX-39 II. I've been given an unopened bottle of this and don't know anything about it.
The blurb doesn't really help
Those of you know know this product or Neofin Red - what does it do well? What does it do not so well? If you prefer it to Xtol/D76/Rodinal, what do you prefer it to, and for what?
If you try PMK my advise is to overexpose 1 stop and split the developer time into two distinct developments, for me its 1 litre of fresh chem 7 min , then a second 7 min of dev with fresh dev. this is for rotation agitation, also I do a 15 - 20 second of hand inversion and twist before it goes on the machine for any developer I use.
Ditto, except I stopped buying commercial developers about 20 years ago when my favourite one went out of production.From the late sixties to a couple of years ago I have regularly been throwing away half bottles of stale commercial developers.
The last straw was when the lock downs started.
I greedily stockpiled film, paper, developers and fixers.
Way too much developer for my usage.
After finally pouring away the last of my stale developer I started in on home made developers.
I cannot recall wasting any cash and developer since I got hooked on d.i.y. chemistry.
Perhaps not the answer to the original question, but now I can try out different developers without having to fork out on full bottles of developer that may not be to my taste.
Ditto, except I stopped buying commercial developers about 20 years ago when my favourite one went out of production.
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