Paper developer

CCOS · Jul 24, 2008

Currentlig I'm using Ilford Multigrade dev. for my paper prints, but I'm looking for another dev. that can last longer when diluted( Ilford says 24 hours).
I'm using Ilford Mulitgrade RC paper.
Any of you out there have any suggesttion for a developer that can stand diluted for longer time?

Jesper Jepsen

AlanC · Jul 24, 2008

Jesper,

For many years I have used Agfa Neutol WA as my main developer, and have developed a lot of Ilford Mgd 4 in it. At the end of a short session I often bottle it and it still works well often weeks later.

Alan Clark

Bob F. · Jul 24, 2008

The 24 hours is only a suggestion. Bottling it between sessions will probably extend that considerably. In my Nova slots it lasted for several weeks, as has Ilford PQ Universal.

If you can get it (probably have to import it from the US) Ansco 130 is probably the longest lasting developer but Neutol WA, as suggested above, probably comes a close second - both of those have lasted a couple of months in my Nova's slots. Because of the difficulty of getting the Ansco 130 (or in my case, the glycin to make it up myself), I too have more or less standardised on Neutol WA.

Have fun, Bob.

P.S. Alan: for future reference, you can edit your original post for a few hours after you post it... (like this...)

Mike Wilde · Jul 24, 2008

Dektol?

I use dektol, or agfa 100 mixed from scratch - almost identical to dektol in its ratios. I dilute it 1:2 for use in trays. I bottle it between sessions, and if the bottle is full, I have had sucess using a few shets, bottle it, then use it again for another session a wekk or two later with no really awful results.

AlanC · Jul 24, 2008

Jesper,
Mgd4 has a slight hint of warmth, as I am sure you know. Neutol WA will preserve this. Dektol will give you a slightly cold blue-black look.
You can decide which you like best!

Alan Clark

Shawn Dougherty · Jul 24, 2008

Ansco 130, diluted 1+1 lasts a LONG time in trays and for months if you bottle between use.... I buy the PF130 mentioned above, from Photographer's Formulary. It's an excellent developer.

reellis67 · Jul 24, 2008

My current bottle of Ansco 130 is 18 months old and going strong, although I did just pick up a fresh kit to make some new. This stuff really does last a long, long time.

- Randy

brass majestic · Jul 24, 2008

Jesper,
I think I've read this before on one of the posts and from my own experience - LPD lasts a while in the tray.
Even diluted 1:3/1:4 with another tray floating on top ( some float plastic wrap), the stuff will still be good 3-5 days later.
Russ

Paul Verizzo · Jul 24, 2008

And the winner is.....

CCOS said:
Currentlig I'm using Ilford Multigrade dev. for my paper prints, but I'm looking for another dev. that can last longer when diluted( Ilford says 24 hours).
I'm using Ilford Mulitgrade RC paper.
Any of you out there have any suggesttion for a developer that can stand diluted for longer time?

Jesper Jepsen

I have been intentionally abusing ID-62 plus extra sulfite for a month now. I've left it out in the trays for several days many times, just adding water to make up for evaporation. I'm just running tests, so this isn't what I would do for "real" work. Oh, and the daytime temp in the garage/darkroom is mid-90's. It's gotten fairly brown but still is cranking to full Dmax.

ID-62 is a basic PQ formula. I think with 100 grams of sulfite I'm doing an Ethol LPD, basically.

Many people say that the warm tone ID-78 is a dead ringer for Neutol WA, btw.

srs5694 · Jul 24, 2008

I use the mix-it-yourself Dead Link Removed developer, which I bottle and replenish between sessions. (The Web page says how to make the replenisher -- it's just DS-14 minus potassium bromide.) Used in this way, with perhaps an average of one printing session per week, DS-14 lasts for at least a few months. I've successfully replenished one liter of DS-14 with three liters of replenisher before I got nervous and dumped it. I don't recall how long that took, but it was probably at least six months.

The commercial Silvergrain Tektol line is based on DS-14, but I don't recall whether the Standard or Black variety is closer to DS-14. Unfortunately, there's no commercial version of the replenisher. I have no idea if anybody imports these products into Europe.

Ian Grant · Jul 24, 2008

Paul Verizzo said:
Many people say that the warm tone ID-78 is a dead ringer for Neutol WA, btw.

Well almost

Unfortunately ID-78 was published incorrectlyn in a Photolab Index back in the early 60's and that mistake goes right on through most US publications and websites such as Silvergrain. Ironically it's correct onDigitaltruth. The formula as published widely by Ilford should have 4.5 gms per litre KBR (not 0.4g).

Ian

Paul Verizzo · Jul 24, 2008

Yes, I discovered that on my own research

Ian Grant said:
Well almost

Unfortunately ID-78 was published incorrectlyn in a Photolab Index back in the early 60's and that mistake goes right on through most US publications and websites such as Silvergrain. Ironically it's correct onDigitaltruth. The formula as published widely by Ilford should have 4.5 gms per litre KBR (not 0.4g).

Ian

That's a good caution, although I never gave the formula.

So with the correct bromide, it is a warm tone developer. Allegedly like the WA. (I've not used either.)

Martin Aislabie · Jul 24, 2008

Guys, how long do you hang onto print dev?

I process most of my prints in open trays and frisbee the stuff at the end of each day.

I use either Agfa WA or Ilford PQ - both of which are dark yellow/brown at the end of 12hrs or so in the tray

There is no noticeable drop in performance (I can detect) but they look pretty spent by the end of a session

Both leave a dark grey/black deposit on the tray which only partly gets removed with elbow grease.

Thanks

Martin

Ian Grant · Jul 24, 2008

If you process Fibre based papers the developer doesn't last that long, mainly because of the absorption and carry over. So 1½ litres of ID-78 or Neutol WA generally lasts a 3 or 4 hour session and I may have to top it up with fresh. It would certainly last 12 hours or more if used less.

Ian

Slixtiesix · Jul 25, 2008

I use Calbe N113 which is an powder-developer. In original package it can be stored for years, even
the lifetime of the solution is outstanding. The price is also surprisingly cheap, 1,50 Euro per litre
won´t make you poor. Give it a try, I think availability in Denmark won´t be a problem.

CCOS · Jul 25, 2008

Slixtiesix availability in Denmark well.. normally I buy from Germany because most dealers in Denmark don't have kemistry anymore and to expensive if they are going to order it for you.

The "problem" is that I use 40ml for test print and 100ml for larger op to 30x40cm so mixing 1 Liter is much if it doesn't last long.. ( using Jobo drums)

Jesper

Slixtiesix · Jul 25, 2008

Ok that´s an issue. I develop my prints in trays and store the solution in plastic bottles while not used.
It keeps well even for 6 month. I forgot to mention that N113 is used as stock solution!

Benjamin

Paper developer

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