I've used various pyro developers over the years, including most of the ones mentioned in this thread, but the only one I'd recommend to a beginner hasn't been mentioned. 510 pyro. I bought my first bottle on ebay because the claims made for it by the designer, and the testimonials from the users seemed just too good to be true, and because the seller was willing to ship internationally. I thought it a little on the expensive side when I paid US$25 with shipping to Jakarta for 100ml of concentrate, but the seller did tell me that it's much cheaper to make my own, and advised me to do so if I liked the developer. The developer arrived in a red plastic bottle, with a home made, very generic label that didn't inspire much confidence, and a measuring syringe taped to the bottle. There was no list of ingredients or mixing directions of any kind on the bottle, but after unpacking the shipping box I found not only complete instructions for use, but the formula, instructions for making the developer, and contact information for the designer, who would "be happy to answer any questions" about the developer! On reading the instructions for use, I found instructions for "reduced agitation techniques" with a 1:500 dilution! Yes, 1:500, not X+X+X, 510 pyro comes as one solution, like HC110. This I had to try, despite the fact that I normally process all of my film in a Jobo processor, so I followed the included instructions for FP4+, I believe, even though I was using Neopan Acros 100. Adding 1ml of syrup to 500ml of water seemed laughable, and I had very low expectations for the results, but when I finally pulled my film off the real, after something like 3/4 an hour with practically no agitation, I was stunned by the apparent quality of my negatives. Not only did it work, it appeared to work beautifully! Contrast seemed just about right, there was no base fog or general stain, no streaking or mottling, and the negs appeared to be quite sharp, indeed. Too excited to wait for my film to dry, I put a hair dryer to them, and a few minutes later I was ready to print. The first thing I noticed when focussing with my focus scope was that there didn't appear to be any grain! Most of the pyro developers I've used tend to accentuate grain, and some truly glorify it, but not this one. Luckily, the edges were quite crisp, and provided a good focus registration. Print after print I was delighted with the smooth tones, crisp edges, well separated shadows and restrained, luminous highlights. I found myself chuckling aloud as I worked those negatives. Not only had this developer lived up to the designer's hype, to my mind, it exceded it. I couldn't wait to contact the designer and congratulate him on his acheivement. I expected a very "I told you so" attitude from him, but what I found was a very humble, modest and appreciative man. I asked about ordering a large quantity of 510 pyro (I was hooked), but instead of making a sale, he made a suggestion, "make your own, it's much cheaper". I'd never compounded my own developer, and was apprehensive, but over the course of several emails, he assured me that it was simple and safe to do at home. I didn't have a scale, and didn't really want to buy one, so I ordered my chemicals pre-measured, which might have cost a little more, I don't know, but provided me some peace of mind. A little paranoid about pyro, I decided to make up the developer out of doors, and used the gas burner of my barbecue grill as the heat source. It really was as simple as he said it would be. I just added the chemicals to about half the TEA and then topped up to the final volume with TEA all at room temp, well, air temp, and then heated with stirring until everything was in solution. Nothing more to it than that. I grinned like a Cheshire cat the whole time. When the finished concentrate cooled I transferred it to its final storage container and viola! I had a full liter of 510 pyro! I've been using it exclusively ever since, and keep in ocassional contact with Jay, who is always helpful and inquisitive about my use of his developer. I actually found this site by a google search for 510 pyro. If you've been wanting to try a pyro developer, but don't know which to try first, or if you're curious to try 510 pyro but put off by the hype and extraordinary claims, do yourself a favor and give it a try, you won't be disappointed.
