PMK Capacity

I've just recently returned to using PMK at the standard 1:2:100 dilution. I use a Jobo 3005 drum for 8x10 (max 5 sheets) and a Jobo 3006 drum for 4x5 (max 6 sheets.) When processing on my CPP-2, I use 1L for half the development time, dump, then use a fresh 1L for the remaining half of the development time to avoid oxidation. Will a total volume of 2L, split 1L at a time, properly process the max number of sheets for each drum?

Thank you.

Try 1:1:100 in the Jobo and use the developer for the whole time instead of the Texas Two Step.

Alan9940 said:

I've just recently returned to using PMK at the standard 1:2:100 dilution. I use a Jobo 3005 drum for 8x10 (max 5 sheets) and a Jobo 3006 drum for 4x5 (max 6 sheets.) When processing on my CPP-2, I use 1L for half the development time, dump, then use a fresh 1L for the remaining half of the development time to avoid oxidation. Will a total volume of 2L, split 1L at a time, properly process the max number of sheets for each drum?

Thank you.

Click to expand...

This is exactly how I have been doing jobo PMK processing for over 25 years.... I split the 14 min time into 7 and 7 and I use the first 7 dev as my final stain.. I have done thousands of PMK runs this way with no issues and of course no failure like we have seen recorded lately with the other Pyro Dev from Formulary.

Two litres of fresh developer is more than enough to accommodate your needs.

Bob Carnie said:

This is exactly how I have been doing jobo PMK processing for over 25 years.... I split the 14 min time into 7 and 7 and I use the first 7 dev as my final stain.. I have done thousands of PMK runs this way with no issues and of course no failure like we have seen recorded lately with the other Pyro Dev from Formulary.

Two litres of fresh developer is more than enough to accommodate your needs.

Click to expand...

Thank you, Bob, I was really hoping you'd comment since I know you're a very experienced PMK user on the Jobo. One of the reasons I'm starting the move back to PMK is exactly because of the failures I've experienced with Pyrocat-HD. Another reason is due to some recent testing I did comparing prints of the same scene, with negs developed in each developer, and printed on both VC and graded paper. I found it interesting how the PMK stain acted as a soft filter which seemed to extend the overall impression of dynamic range in the print. I'm sure it really doesn't do that and I've read how pyrogallol formulas flatten the highlights, but I want to try it for awhile and see how I like the results.

Anyway, thanks, again.

Your welcome... I have kept my mouth shut for years about the naysayers on PMK and stain... I just kept on doing it and I have made some pretty decent bodies of work with this developing formula, work that has hung in major commercial galleries and Museums up here in Canada.... I am never one to chase silver bullets and also one who has never made the perfect print..

I've never had an issue with PMK using it 1:2:100 all in one shot. I do use a full liter in the JOBO 3010 which might stress the motor of a JOBO processor, but I don't use one of those. Just a Beseler roller thingy.

I've never felt the need to split development like Bob, but use whatever works!

And yeah, I am back using PMK after problems with Pyrocat. Should have never switched....

By the way, what you read on the internet isn't always the truth... PMK gives great highlights. The theory of Pyrocat being better is just one of those internet things. Use your eyeballs. They are telling you the truth.