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Pyrocat-HDC vs. Pyrocat-PC

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olk

Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2020
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Location
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Hi,
-HDC uses Phenidone while -PC contains p-Aminophenole. Have both developers different characteristics (staining, tonal gradations, ...)?
Thank you in advance
Oliver
 
“HDC formulae omits the Sodium Metabisulfite and Potassium Bromide thus removing the need for the water. Sandy King has recently said on another forum that this is the formulae he has been using for some years and cannot see any significant difference in results between HD and HDC.”
 
koraks said:
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).



That quote is a bit unfortunate in that it omits the essential "C" part.
Click to expand...

I just wanted to point out that even Sandy has said that there's virtually zero difference between the Pyrocat recipes as far as results goes. I see it all the time - people chasing obscure recipes, hoping to find "magical properties", when in fact there's little (or nothing) to be gained.
 
I see it all the time - people chasing obscure recipes, hoping to find "magical properties", when in fact there's little (or nothing) to be gained.
Click to expand...

Why insulting others?
I was asking any difference between both developer - Sandy King must have had some reason to provide both recipes.
I own phenidone but not p- aminophenol (only the HCL) and I was currious about the Pyrocat-PC is worth the effort to get the base form of p-aminophenol.
 
olk said:
Why insulting others?
I was asking any difference between both developer - Sandy King must have had some reason to provide both recipes.
I own phenidone but not p- aminophenol (only the HCL) and I was currious about the Pyrocat-PC is worth the effort to get the base form of p-aminophenol.
Click to expand...

Stating a fact isn't the same as an insult. The only "meaningful" reason to pursue one of these alternative formulas is for 1) the minuscule environmental impact it might have and 2) longevity of the stock solutions. Otherwise, you're going to get the same negatives as you would with Pyrocat HD. Sandy said so himself.
 
The "magic" (or the upside) is the elimination of Sodium Metabisulfite, and Potassium Bromide, and the addition of Vit. C. It's on my "to do" list...🙂
 
I've never seen any significant difference between any of them. I used PC for a long time because I had p-aminophenol . one thing I liked was when mixing the working developer, it turned a strong purple confirming its activation. Now I whichever version of HD that's mixed in glycol.
 
I'll echo the concept of the consistent results from the various versions. Comparing results left me with no real favorite variant. The PG had some appeal for likely stability for my erratic usage. When I was more energetic in trying variations, I also experimented with Dimezone-S when I had some on hand. It also seemed the same to my eyes....
 
olk said:
Why insulting others?
Click to expand...

Please don't take that remark of @retina_restoration as an insult. I'm quite positive it wasn't intended as such, and personally I don't read it that way, either. I think he's pointing at the phenomenon that people sometimes attribute all manner of properties to developers that turn out to be, well, overly enthusiastic. In reality, the differences are really small. I don't think that's an insult; it's an observation of an odd trait of the analog/film photography community.
 
I suspect Sandy provided different formulations in recognition that different workers may have different chemicals on their shelves.
 
Hi,

looking at several formulas on Sandy's pages, I noticed they use ascorbic acid in the propylene glycol versions.
Can't sodium metabisulfite be used as it is not soluble enorgh in glycol?

Jens
 
My take on Pyrocat-HDC is from experience and not from hearsay . I first was a user of DIY Pyrocat-HD in glycol and thought it was great. Out of curiosity I tried Pyrocat-MC and thought it to be slightly better in the sharpness department, but maybe that was just me. I then read about the HDC version and thought it to be a little more friendly to Mother Nature so I gave that a try. Well, to make a long story short HDC version is where I plan on staying. It does everything I want a staining developer to do and does it with ease. Pyrocat-HDC and Xtol_R (actually Adox XT-3 replenished) are my two main developers and do almost all of my films. I could get by fine if either one were the only developer on the planet, but it's nice to have two really great options. Just my take of course.
 
John Wiegerink said:
My take on Pyrocat-HDC is from experience and not from hearsay . I first was a user of DIY Pyrocat-HD in glycol and thought it was great. Out of curiosity I tried Pyrocat-MC and thought it to be slightly better in the sharpness department, but maybe that was just me. I then read about the HDC version and thought it to be a little more friendly to Mother Nature so I gave that a try. Well, to make a long story short HDC version is where I plan on staying. It does everything I want a staining developer to do and does it with ease. Pyrocat-HDC and Xtol_R (actually Adox XT-3 replenished) are my two main developers and do almost all of my films. I could get by fine if either one were the only developer on the planet, but it's nice to have two really great options. Just my take of course.
Click to expand...

Hi John,

The formula listed above says to use 750ml Glycol, but then does not say if you top up to 1 litre after mixing in the chemicals. Or am I wrongly assuming that the formula is for a litre?
 
Andrew O'Neill said:
Hi John,

The formula listed above says to use 750ml Glycol, but then does not say if you top up to 1 litre after mixing in the chemicals. Or am I wrongly assuming that the formula is for a litre?
Click to expand...

Andy,
If the recipe for HDC calls for only 750ml then I'm making mine wrong. I topped mine to 1L, and it seems to do a fine job for me. I'm thinking the 750ml only might be in error since even if the formula was for 750ml you would start with say 600ml to allow for the chemicals and then top to 750ml. At least I have my formula written down as starting with 750ml of glycol and topping off to 1L after all the chems are mixed in. Of course, I have been known to be wrong on more than one occasion. Just ask my wife. Better yet, don't ask my wife, just take my word for it.
 
Andrew O'Neill said:
The formula listed above says to use 750ml Glycol, but then does not say if you top up to 1 litre after mixing in the chemicals. Or am I wrongly assuming that the formula is for a litre?
Click to expand...

No, your assumption is correct. Look at the pyrocatechol (50g/l) and phenidone (2.0g to 2.5g/liter). The "top up to 1000ml" line is simply missing from the formula.
 
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