Perfecta D Print Developer

[Nokton48]

I am out of Ilford Multigrade paper developer, so while ordering some chems from FF (I like buying direct) I added a bottle of their Perfecta-D Print Developer. Made by Fine Art Photo supply. Suggested dilution is 1:9. Labels says it will obtain the maximum black of the paper and a full brilliant tonal scale.

Any opinions?

 

[jvo]

ah, the holy grail... the well-worn path, may your pursuit succeed!

 

[markbau]

[QUOTE="Nokton48, post:Labels says it will obtain the maximum black of the paper and a full brilliant tonal scale.

[/QUOTE]
That's actually a very strange thing for a maker to say. What would be the use of a developer that couldn't achieve maximum black? And in any case, any developer of any dilution will eventually achieve maximum black. "Full brilliant tonal scale", that's such a scientific statement isn't it? Sounds like something Fred Picker would write!

 

[koraks]

any developer of any dilution will eventually achieve maximum black.

Experience tells me otherwise, though.

 

[markbau]

Experience tells me otherwise, though.

Actually, you are correct, it was a silly statement I made, I should have said that with enough exposure and proper dillution/time any paper will achieve maximum black.

 

[koraks]

Oh, but even then - chuck enough halide ions into any developer and dmax will decrease.

 

[Nokton48]

Old Mans Cave Upper Falls 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

4x5 Sinar Norma PL100 PMK+ Arista #2 8x10 Perfection D Dev 2 1/2 minute developing time

 

[Nokton48]

I'm about 60F ambient in the winter on the enlarging side, so I increased development time to 3 1/2 minutes with Arista Ultra RC #2. Pefection diluted 1:9

The image builds up slowly with this developer. I may buy another bottle, I like it!

Yellow Springs Falls by Nokton48, on Flickr

Yellow Springs Falls

4x5 Sinar Norma 90mm F8 Sinar Norma Super Angulon HP5 PMK+ Arista 8x10 #2 RC Perfection Print Developer