New to Pyrocat HD please help me

[Rick A]

Recently I've been trying out Pyrocat HD, and was wondering who else uses it and what films, as well as your times. How long before using do you mix, and do you afterwash with the spent developer(and at what point)?

thanks
Rick

 

[ann]

rick,

i used it for years with all my film, basically hp5+, however, i also used semi-stand development.

I mixed right before using, and never used the developer as an afterwash.

I tested for times, as well as EI, and ended up with 17minutes, but remember that was with semi-stand development

 

[Ian Grant]

Rick, I've been using it for 4 or 5 years now, my Normal development times with inversion agitation at 1+1+100 @ 20°C are around 15 mins with Tmax or Delta 100 & 400, HP5, EFKE 25, and 11 mins with Fomapan 100 & 200.

Negatives processed in Pyrocat always seem to print beautifully, it's now my main developer.

Forgot to say like Ann I mix up the developer just prior to use, although sometimes I maybe using 2 or 3 dev tanks, staggering the start times, but I use it all within about 10 minutes, you can see it changing colour as it's left standing.

I never use the dev after fixing, Gordon Hutchings used to recommend that for PMK but he doesn't any longer. One problem is that once the developing agent (Pyrocatechin) is partially oxidised it stains everything, I use a Pyrocatchin redevelopment toner and that need to be fresh or it stains the paper base.

Ian

 

[mwdake]

I started using it last year after reading so much good stuff about it.
So far I have been using it with Foma 100 and 200, HP5+, FP4+ and last night I did my first Pan F+ in it. I haven't printed the Pan F negs yet.

For the most part I have been getting very nice results and I will probably make it my primary developer once my Microdol and Perceptol run out.

I usually mix up 100ml of stock Parts A and B at a time as I find this is enough to keep me going as it only takes 5 ml of each for a roll of 120 and 2.5 ml when I do a few 4x5 negs. I mix up my working developer right before use and never let it sit for more than a few minutes. My developing times are usually quite short as I develop at whatever temp my tap water is which is usually 25 or 26C during the summer, this time of the year it is around 22-23C. I did the Pan F at 22 for 10 minutes with inversion and the negatives look good. Foma 100 and 200 4x5 in rotary tank is about 7 minutes at 22C for me and my notes on HP5 show 7 minutes at 25C for inversion. I have some Efke 100 and TXP 320 but I have not tried them in Pyrocat HD yet.

 

[PhotoJim]

I use PMK (and have only dabbled with Pyrocat), but agree that the afterwash is not necessary, especially if you use a water stop step and an alkaline fix. (I've switched to using alkaline fix with all developers because it shortens the wash time nicely.)

 

[Rick A]

Thanks all, my main concern, is how long in advance do you mix the developer. I worry that I am not giving it enough time to 'bloom' before I use it. After using D-76 and other yellow developers, I could use the tutoring on new(to me)soup. I have TF-4 fixer, and use water for the stop.

Have any of you tried Pyrocat HD with ortho, I have a couple of boxes of Ortho+ and some 120 rolls of Rollei Ortho that I'm anxious to shoot, but not willing to waste on untried developer.

Rick

 

[Ian Grant]

Ortho Plus will be fine in Pyrocat it's very similar to FP4 in many ways except the red sensitivity.

Ian

 

[Rick A]

Ortho Plus will be fine in Pyrocat it's very similar to FP4 in many ways except the red sensitivity.

Ian

Thanks Ian. I've developed a couple of rolls of FP-4 already, and love the look, now I'm really excited to shoot some ortho. Guess its time to break out my 4x5.

Rick

 

[PhotoJim]

I mix my developer seconds before use. I measure out the A and B solutions and then measure the water. The film is already loaded in the tank. I pour in the A, stir, and pour in the B. One quick stir and in the tank it goes.

Realistically you have a few minutes most likely, but since pyrocatechin and pyrogallol oxidize rapidly, I see no point in waiting. There is no need to let your developer breathe or bloom.

 

[colrehogan]

I have used Pyrocat-HD with a variety of films. FP4+, HP5+, Tri-X, TMax400, Acros, Maco 820c IR.

I also mix it seconds before use.