Paterson Aculux FX24 Formula.

[Keith Tapscott.]

This is from the latest FDCB2

ACULUX FX 24

Metol 3.25 g
Hydroquinone 10g
Phenidone 0.650 g
Sodium sulfite anhydrous 65 g
Sodium carbonate 10g
Borax 5g
Potassium bromide 2g
Potassium thiocyanate 2.5 g
Methylated spirits (or isopropyl or ethyl alcohol) 6-25 ml
Dilute 1:9.This formula is given only for illustrative purposes.

I was wondering if anyone has tried it yet.

 

[Ian Grant]

I used Aculux back in the 1970s, ID-11/D76 is actually better.

Ian

 

[Augustus Caesar]

This is from the latest FDCB2

ACULUX FX 24

Metol 3.25 g
Hydroquinone 10g
Phenidone 0.650 g
Sodium sulfite anhydrous 65 g
Sodium carbonate 10g
Borax 5g
Potassium bromide 2g
Potassium thiocyanate 2.5 g
Methylated spirits (or isopropyl or ethyl alcohol) 6-25 ml
Dilute 1:9.This formula is given only for illustrative purposes.

I was wondering if anyone has tried it yet.

This was a fine-grain formula, I believe.

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

This was a fine-grain formula, I believe.

Yes and the formula for the original version.
According to the book, Aculux 2 and Aculux 3 are further improvements by making subtle changes and using different borates and even adding some glycin.
As far as I know, it was designed to keep the grain to a minimum without losing speed that happens with developers like Microdol/Perceptol.

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

This was a fine-grain formula, I believe.

I used Aculux back in the 1970s, ID-11/D76 is actually better.

Ian

I've never tried it, but I know that Chris Chapman used it with HP5 for his photos of rural life on Dartmoor back in the 1970s through to early 2000s.

 

[bernard_L]

Methylated spirits (or isopropyl or ethyl alcohol) 6-25 ml

I don't understand that line.

• I don't see how the choice could be left open between 6ml and 25ml (or any in-between?) of solvent
• I don't see how all these powders could dissolve in such a small quantity of solvent.

Other than that, I used the original aculux a long time ago and liked the results. Maybe a proper A/B/C comparison in 2025 with D-76 and/or PC-512 would show that they are equal or better choices.

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

I don't understand that line.

• I don't see how the choice could be left open between 6ml and 25ml (or any in-between?) of solvent
• I don't see how all these powders could dissolve in such a small quantity of solvent.

Other than that, I used the original aculux a long time ago and liked the results. Maybe a proper A/B/C comparison in 2025 with D-76 and/or PC-512 would show that they are equal or better choices.

I'm sure it's mostly only a small amount of alcohol added to the concentrate
The text I typed is exactly as printed in the book.
I was just wondering if anyone here has tried this formula.