Printing Pyrocat-HD Negatives on VC Paper

[Jim Moore]

I just tried to print some TMAX-400 negatives that where developed in Pyrocat-HD on Kodak Polymax Fine Art paper.

Not what I was expecting. The prints are "flat and lifeless". Even printed with a #5 setting it looks like it was printed at #2.

Fresh chemicals, fresh paper.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Eric Rose]

I use both Ilford MG and Agfa MG. Both of them are actually quite contrasty with my APX and FP4 negs developed in PC-HD.

 

[Jim Moore]

I just checked the box of paper and it says "Develop before 10-04".

Close date. I wonder if it's a bad box?

I'm going to print one of my Xtol negatives that I know prints well on it tomorrow night to see how it turns out.

I'm also going to print the Pyrocat-HD negatives on Oriental Seagull to check the results.

Jim

 

[Donald Miller]

Have you measured the density range of your negatives?

 

[Jim Moore]

Have you measured the density range of your negatives?

Donald,

No I haven't. I didn't think that it would be accurate using a "regular" densitometer on Pyro negatives. My X-Rite 361T should be here by the end of the week though.

Jim

 

[Donald Miller]

I understand. If the paper is not fogged then the problem is probably due to the negative DR. A visual channel reading with a black and white densitometer should be near 1.05 not accounting for the pyro stain. With the pyro stain effect that should be up near 1.25

 

[Jim Moore]

I understand. If the paper is not fogged then the problem is probably due to the negative DR. A visual channel reading with a black and white densitometer should be near 1.05 not accounting for the pyro stain. With the pyro stain effect that should be up near 1.25

O.K. I just measured one of the negatives with my "regular" densitometer and the DR is around .65

Looks like that's the problem.

Thanks Donald!

Jim

 

[Tom Duffy]

What's your developing time, Jim? I find that using Pyrocat with TMY in a Jobo (continuous agitation), my development times are around 10 min at 68F

 

[bmac]

What's your developing time, Jim? I find that using Pyrocat with TMY in a Jobo (continuous agitation), my development times are around 10 min at 68F

Tom, are you using Expert drums? Amdhow much solution are you using? I'm 2/3 of the way done processing my pcat/tmy/jobo/azo film test. I'm doing it at 24c though. 500ml of solution.

 

[Jim Moore]

What's your developing time, Jim? I find that using Pyrocat with TMY in a Jobo (continuous agitation), my development times are around 10 min at 68F

Tom,

They where processed in a SideKick (Like Jobo) at a setting of 20rpm.

The processing temp can not be adjusted on the sidekick (the only think I do not like about it) and is set at 75d.

Processed for 10-minutes (=14min @ 68d) in Pyrocat-HD 1:1:100

Jim

 

[sanking]

Tom,

They where processed in a SideKick (Like Jobo) at a setting of 20rpm.

The processing temp can not be adjusted on the sidekick (the only think I do not like about it) and is set at 75d.

Processed for 10-minutes (=14min @ 68d) in Pyrocat-HD 1:1:100

Jim

Jim,

10 minutes at 75 degrees F with the 1:1:100 dilution of Tmax 400 film should have given you plenty of contrast for silver printing. The high reading of log 0.65 suggests to me that the developer is either bad or was not mixed correctly.

Sandy King

 

[Jim Moore]

Jim,

10 minutes at 75 degrees F with the 1:1:100 dilution of Tmax 400 film should have given you plenty of contrast for silver printing. The high reading of log 0.65 suggests to me that the developer is either bad or was not mixed correctly.

Sandy King

Thanks Sandy.

I purchased the Pyrocat-HD kit from Bostick & Sullivan so I assume that the chemicals are O.K.

I guess I could have mixed it wrong. Wouldn't be the first time I screwed something up 1oz Part A / 1oz Part B / 100oz Water?

I'll try another batch tonight when I get home from work and see how they turn out.

Thanks again!

Jim

 

[Tom Duffy]

I'm processing my TMX in expert drums in Pyrocat 2:2:100, 1 liter of developer for 10 min at 68 neg shot in sunshine. My rotation speed is "3", whatever that translates to in RPM. I may overexpose by your standards. I rate TMX at 200 and place the shadows on zone IV with my spot meter.
I'd be very interested to hear your results. I seem to print well on AZO Grade 2. Though I'm about to give up on 8x10 contact printing and go back to my favored 5x7 Tri-x enlarged to 10x13. But that's a story for another day...
Take care,
Tom

 

[Allan]

Check my post of Delta films in Pyrocat-HD. You might try the Delta 100. My test prints were on Ilford VC paper.