non-pyro developer for J and C Classic 400

[Doug Bennett]

Hello all,

Wanting to support those who support APUG, I ordered some film from J and C: Classic Pan 400 and Efke R100.

Previously, my standbys have been HP5/HC-110 dil H, and FP4 or APX100 in Rodinal. I shoot 6x6, and tried the pyro route via WD2D+, but it didn't thrill me. Lately, the HP5/HC-110 has been working like a champ: a nice, thin neg that prints well on my Beseler 23C, but Ilford........... who knows? My local shop is running low on Ilford stock and are unsure of the future at this point.

What would you recommend for a non-pyro developer for the Classic Pan 400?

I'll probably stick with Rodinal for the Efke R100.

 

[Alex Hawley]

I haven't tried it yet, but I believe I would start with Rodinal at 1:50. I base this on the premise that J&C 400 has similar charateristics to the old Tri-X.

 

[bmac]

Doug, as soon as my new bellows is delivered, I will be doing a test of J&C 400 in HC110 and D76 1:1. This will be sheet film in a Jobo, but it may give you a starting time for your own processed.

 

[Dean Williams]

I like this film (JandC 400) in PC-TEA, and it's what I've been using for the past month in my TLRs. I've run about 15 rolls so far using this combo, and I intend to stick with it when I need a faster film than Efke/Maco 100. Produces nice skin tones and rarely shows blown highlights if I do my part. I haven't done a speed test yet, but have not noticed any problems with shadows when rated at 400 and devved in the PC-TEA. It works very well in A-49 too, and that's what I used before I came across the PC-TEA. If you don't want to mix your own developer, try the A-49. JandC has it.

 

[Dean Williams]

Well, looks like Jeff was posting while I was writing. Anyway, what he said...

 

[Dean Williams]

Good grief! Jay. Sorry.

 

[Doug Bennett]

I'm not Gainer literate; I googled "Gainer PC-TEA" and got one hit. Where can I find out about this stuff?

 

[bobfowler]

I've been using J&C 400 in 120 recently (goodbye Tri-X) and getting great results in Microdol-X 1:3.

 

[felipemorgan]

I'm not Gainer literate; I googled "Gainer PC-TEA" and got one hit. Where can I find out about this stuff?

Right here on APUG! (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

--Philip.

 

[Doug Bennett]

Thanks, I might give it a shot; I need to order some stuff from Formulary soon anyway. PC-TEA looks to be economical as well.

Sounds like a highly accurate scale is required to weigh for example, "0.2 g phenidone."

Are any of the chemicals particularly toxic? Does the stock have a decent shelf life?

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Thanks, I might give it a shot; I need to order some stuff from Formulary soon anyway. PC-TEA looks to be economical as well.

Sounds like a highly accurate scale is required to weigh for example, "0.2 g phenidone."

Are any of the chemicals particularly toxic? Does the stock have a decent shelf life?

PC-TEA is one of the lowest toxicity developers around. I use Trader Joe's Ascorbic Acid powder in mine - it is sold as a dietary supplement - vitamin C.

The stock has an extremely long shelf life (due to the use of TEA as the solvent - no water).

The amount of Phenidone is not critical - you can measure it with a teaspoon. Too much is better than too little. 1/8 teaspoon is approximately = .25 gram.

For TEA (Triethanolamine) my favorite source is The Chemistry Store:
http://www.chemistrystore.com/

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

I have had some success with J&C400 in 4x5 size with Rodinal, dilution 1+50 at 11min. You may want to adjust that for your needs, but the negs look good with nice tonality and good contrast. Grain is of course not very fine, but sharpness is great.

Hope that helps, if not, let us know how the TEA developer worked out.

- Thomas
Saint Paul, MN