One-session paper developer?

[Captain_joe6]

At this point, I make it into the darkroom just a handful of times per year to deal with my backlog of negatives. Sooooo….

Im looking for a paper developer I can mix myself from readily available and affordable chemicals (so no Glycin…) that yields 1L of working solution, with no spare stock solution leftover. Mix one liter, put it in a tray, and go.

Paper used is always Ilford FBWT.

I’ve got the better part of a pound of Chinese Amidol kicking around, it’s easily 15+ years old, so that’s one avenue that I’m familiar with, but I’m wondering what others might be worth investigating.

 

[Milpool]

D-72

 

[Captain_joe6]

D-72

All instructions I’m seeing mention a 1:1 or 1:2 (or more) dilution.

 

[Paul Howell]

D 72 is Dektol without a few of the buffers, I use Dektol at 1:2 and would not hesitate to use D72 at 1:2. Maybe with old paper I would use it at 1:1.

 

[MattKing]

All instructions I’m seeing mention a 1:1 or 1:2 (or more) dilution.

If you wish to use the amount made up ("stock") at a 1+1 dilution, divide/adjust in half the amounts in the recipe designed to make up 1 litre of stock.
1 litre is a relatively small volume for working solution - about an 8x10 tray's worth - so most recipes would be designed to make more.

 

[Captain_joe6]

If you wish to use the amount made up ("stock") at a 1+1 dilution, divide/adjust in half the amounts in the recipe designed to make up 1 litre of stock.
1 litre is a relatively small volume for working solution - about an 8x10 tray's worth - so most recipes would be designed to make more.

Right, and that’s kind of the problem. I’m making 5x7 prints in 8x10 trays, because that’s the space and trays I have. While I get that I could just halve any recipe I come across, or more, trying to measure out progressively smaller amounts of chemicals accurately and repeatedly gets to be a bit of a hassle.

I also haven’t been particularly thrilled with Dektol/D-72 in the past, so I’m looking for other options. 2 liters technically fits in my trays, but agitation becomes rather a problem at that volume, especially as the trays sit on a counter rather than in a sink.

So sure, D-72 is on the list, but it’s not high on it.

 

[mshchem]

D-52 is Selectol, warmer, bit less active than Dektol. Use 1:1

 

[MattKing]

I understand the practical restraints you are working with.
So in addition to what you mentioned initially, you want a recipe that works well even if the mixing methods are relatively imprecise - something involving teaspoon measures, not high precision weight measures.

 

[Kino]

There are a few paper formulas on The Unblinking Eye that may suit your needs.

Formulas

 

[Alan9940]

To keep that nice warm tone of MGWT, I'd look at ID-78.

 

[Captain_joe6]

I understand the practical restraints you are working with.
So in addition to what you mentioned initially, you want a recipe that works well even if the mixing methods are relatively imprecise - something involving teaspoon measures, not high precision weight measures.

That would be lovely, as long as we don't get into pinches and smidges and dashes!

 

[revdoc]

I'm like you. I only use print developer every now and then and need something easy to make up in small amounts. 250ml does me for a few prints in an 8x10 tray. This is what I use:

E72, 250 ml, made up to 1+3 working strength.