Pyro and Glycin?

lenny · Nov 27, 2005

Been running lots of tests on film/dev combinations for scanning 4x5 on my drum scanner. I use a fairly high DMax, similar to a platinum range for a better result. (Highlights can't blow out past the range of my scanner and I love that midtone separation.)

The best of the older films - in my testing - turns out to be Efke 25. The best developer is still Pyro PMK. (ruled out TFX2, FX-39, FX50 and Actulux2). I guess that Phenidone doesn't do it for me. I am now turning my eyes toward the modern films, mostly to get a higher film speed. (100.)

I have noticed that the modern TGrained films need a developer with glycin in it to really make them sing. My best results so far have been with BW2 from PhotoFormulary.

However, since Pyro has been so much better with the multilayered films (and not bad with TGrains, I was wondering if anyone had seen any formulas based on Pyro and Glycin?

steve simmons · Nov 27, 2005

If you are looking for a film with a speed of 100, or close, try FP4+ in PMK. A very nice combination.

steve simmons

lenny · Nov 28, 2005

FP4

Steve,

Thanks. I tested FP4 Plus extensively, since my old favorite was FP4... Unfortunately, I need a film with much tighter grain.

When scanning at high resolution, one needs the definition. It's very different from working in the darkroom, where one is shining a light thru the negative. Diffusion smooths out a lot...

Lenny

Tom Hoskinson · Nov 28, 2005

Efke 100 developed in Pyrocat-HD is a wonderful combination.

Pyrocat-HD also works very well with the tabular grain films.

Agfa 8 is a very simple Glycin developer that works very well with the tabular grain films. It would require some experimentation but one could try adding catechol or pyrogallol to Agfa 8.

lenny · Nov 28, 2005

Almost

Tom,
I am almost ready to design my own developer. Maybe next month.... I am a little "tested out" - I am sure you all know what I mean. I'd like to actually photograph something other than the test subject.

It has been really interesting to scan the results and see what the actual grain pattern creates. I can see why phenidone is so appreciated in the darkroom. It does the same thing that unsharp masking does in photoshop.... pretty amazing.

Lenny

Helen B · Nov 28, 2005

As far as I know, Barry Thornton used glycin and catechol in DiXactol, DiXactol Ultra and Exactol (but not Exactol Lux), in some cases along with Phenidone. DiXactol Ultra is available via Peter Hogan's www.monochromephotography.com

Best,
Helen

Tom Hoskinson · Nov 28, 2005

With Pyrocat-HD, you aready have the Catechol and Phenidone in the A solution and Potassium (or Sodium) Carbonate in the B solution. I would be tempted to add 1-2 grams of Glycin to the A solution, add B solution plus water and do some testing.

Alan Johnson · Nov 28, 2005

More info about glycin and about Dixactol Ultra at

www.apug.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5022

lee · Nov 30, 2005

gosh if I wanted to use D76 I would use D76 not some clone.

lee\c

Pyro and Glycin?

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