Prescysol

[Mahler_one]

Has anyone in our group used Prescysol film developer ( as formulated by Peter Hogan ), and if so, might they give us the benefit of their experience? In particular, what film did they develop with Prescysol, and what advantages were noted?

Thanks.

Edwin

 

[Mahler_one]

I did a brief review of our archives, and I do note that some in the UK and USA have used Prescysol ( and various films ) to good advantage. Hence, I apologize in advance for asking a question that has apaprently already had some answers. However, might I ask if anyone has used Prescysol with Rollei R3? I had a brief correspondence with Mr. Hogan ( who was very cordial and informative ), and he did not appear to be very happy with the pairing of R3 and Prescysol ( I hope I am not over stating the case ). I would be grateful for any recent observations that would extend the information previously offered by those experienced with Prescysol.

As an aside, the difficulty in "comparing" developers used with various films appears to be the lack of really objective testing methods using modern films and developers such as have been used with somewhat older materials as detailed by Henry in his very excellent book, " Controls in Black and White Photography". Much of what we read about various developer and film combinations on this thread-and elsewhere-seems to be very subjective. Such subjective observations are, of course, very valuable and I am grateful to those who take the time to share observations and experience. I intend no criticism of those who offer such information, for after all much of photography is an art and not a science. Indeed, how does one truly "objectively" compare one work of art to another, e.g., a Rembrandt to a Rubens? Nevertheless, it is difficult to truly visualize what one means by "increased acutance" and "decreased grain" with "good detail in the shadows", etc. when speaking of one developer as compared to another.

Simply some musing late at night...

Edwin

 

[AlanC]

Edwin,

On the subject of objective comparisons it obviously helps if you have a 5 x 4 camera and can make several identical exposures then develop the sheets in different film developers. When I did this with Efke 100 and Delta 100 developed in Prescycol EF, Pyrocat HD and Rodinal I could see very little difference , if any between the Prescysol and the Pyrocat. At a print size of 20 x 24 they were equally sharp and had the same tonality.
Maybe you would see a difference in 35mm with a bigger enlarging factor.

Alan Clark

 

[Dave Miller]

I’ve used both Prescysol EF, and Prescysol, and have standardised on the latter for medium format work. It works for me, providing the near grain-less prints that I prefer with a very simple and undemanding development routine. It’s ability to cope with different film speeds and types at the same time is invaluable. There may be better / faster / cheaper brews around, but so far I haven’t found any incentive to change as it does everything I require from a film developer.