PMK vs. Pyro Cat

ggriffi · Aug 7, 2005

As someone here who is relatively new to all the different developers and such I am curious about trying a new developer. I would like to try either pmk or pyrocat. I mainly shoot Pan F and Tech Pan for 35mm and Efke 100 with my 4x5. Currently I use Rodinal for most film (PanF and Efke) and PF TD-3 for Tech Pan. Is there a large difference between the two, in that they may be suited for different types of film? I would like to use just one of them right now so I can get used to it.

g

noseoil · Aug 7, 2005

I used PMK for about 2 years exclusively. I've since moved on to pyrocat. Following reasons for me.

1 - No general stain which tends to make shadows muddy

2 - Very nice to use with Efke 100 and handles well in various dilutions without the problem of expended developer (depletion in rotary tubes) and excess oxydation due to solution covering and uncovering the film. tim

PhotoJim · Oct 9, 2005

I've tried both and I like PMK better. Here's why:

- PMK seems to give more image stain. I've solved the general stain problem by using an all-alkaline process and not doing an alkaline bath after fixing.
- the stock solutions last into perpetuity, nearly. My stock solutions are 5 years old and are absolutely fine.

User Removed · Oct 9, 2005

My vote is for Pyrocat HD. I use it with Efke 100 8x10 film, and I absolutly love it!

fhovie · Oct 10, 2005

If I only shot LF - I would likely only use PMK. PMK on roll film yields really big grain. PyrocatHD has most of the virtues of PMK with much finer grain. This makes it a better all around developer. I used PMK on 35mm tri-x one time. It was grain like I had pushed it 4 stops. PMK on tri-x 120 shows grain pretty strong at 11x14. PMK is perfect on 4x5 film at up - even 20x30 prints are perfect. But - Pyrocat does the same and also does a much better job on roll film.

lee · Oct 10, 2005

I have used PMK for over 10 years. I printed many images on VC paper with PMK negs. The stain causes a noticable highlite filter that has become intolerable for me and the way I work. I moved to PYROCAT-HD nearly a year ago and have not regretted it in the least. I would vote not to use PMK and go straight to Pyrocat-HD. You won't regret it.

lee\c

vet173 · Oct 10, 2005

I made the move from PMK to Pyrocat and haven't looked back. I have to qualify that I want negs that can do double duty, Azo and carbon. If I ever get the urge to use what PMK i have left, I would not do the post development stain.

noseoil · Oct 10, 2005

Lee, did you notice larger grain with PMK? I haven't at this point and still use it for 35mm. Just wondering if it seems smaller or larger than pyrocat. I'm not aware of a difference. tim

PhotoJim · Oct 10, 2005

I haven't had any grain problems with PMK, and I use it nearly exclusively with 35mm. FP-4 Plus is gorgeous and smooth. There is grain with Tri-X and HP-5 Plus, but these are grainy films to begin with.

craigclu · Oct 10, 2005

I have found the grain to be a bit less with the PyroCat. I printed some HP5+/PyroCat 645 stuff this weekend and it truly was grainless in 8 X 10 but retained great edge effects that made eyelashes jump off the paper at you at the same time. I'm currently using 200 rating, 1:1:100, 13 minutes @ 68°F with 1 gentle inversion per minute.

jim appleyard · Oct 10, 2005

I know of and have used Pyrocat HD, but I'm unaware of Pyrocat 645. Can you fill me in?

lee · Oct 10, 2005

Tim said,"Lee, did you notice larger grain with PMK? I haven't at this point and still use it for 35mm. Just wondering if it seems smaller or larger than pyrocat. I'm not aware of a difference. tim"

I said, "I know several that shoot smaller formats and seem to do ok with PMK. I have never used PMK with 35mm so I am not the one to ask. Sorry."

lee\c

craigclu · Oct 10, 2005

jim appleyard said:
I know of and have used Pyrocat HD, but I'm unaware of Pyrocat 645. Can you fill me in?

Should have stated 645 format, I guess! I've got one of the negatives scanned and downsized but you can get some idea of the general tonality. I took some snaps when my son and date were headed off to high school homecoming dinner and dance activities. Difficult light with the harsh, late afternoon sun fighting us but it seems that I can get good, usable skin tones with this combo in most light.

Dead Link Removed

PMK vs. Pyro Cat

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency