Photographic Formulary PF 130 Replenished

[Richard Jepsen]

I am aware of the tray keeping attributes of 130. Can anyone comment on replenishing a working 1L solution of PF 130. My DR sessions produce around five 8x10s. I go several days between sessions.

 

[cjbecker]

Ive never thought about it. I keep my working solution for months. The last one I had to toss probably had 50-75 5x7 rc prints threw it. Ended up having to mix up a new batch cause I was down to about half of the working solution I started with. It will get so dark that you cant see the paper in it but still produces good prints to my eyes.

 

[juan]

I make up the Formulary 1 liter package as two liters. Store in two one-liter glass bottles. Label one as working and the other as replenisher. Develop for a session, pour the developer back into the bottle, then top off the bottle from the replenish bottle. Repeat until the replenish bottle is empty, then buy more.

 

[Richard Jepsen]

Juan. What are the attributes of the developer used this way. How consistent is the developer. Also, I assume since there is used developer it may be a neutral warm tone on Classic?

 

[juan]

I find the developer very versatile. I don’t know about Classic, but generally I find 130 to be somewhat warm tone - at least warmer than Amidol, which I also use. I found I can control overall contrast with agitation. For instance agitating for the first minute in the developer then letting the print lie still for the second minute. Used in this replenished manner, the developer can last a very long time.

I’ll emphasize that I use glass bottles. I think they are best for developer longevity.

 

[Richard Jepsen]

So I understand you basically mix the 1L package into a 2L working solution. If you top off your actual working 1L solution I would think it will build up bromide and possibly stain the print. Do you see evidence of staining?

About how many DR sessions and prints can you run through your system?

 

[Richard Jepsen]

I tried 130 a few times and at a 1:4 dilution towards the end of the DR sessions I saw a straw colored overall stain seen mostly in the highlights. Perhaps it was something else than bromide. It’s been more than 15 years so I forgot the specifics.

 

[Richard Jepsen]

Yes, 1:1 is standard.