Re-purposing KODAK DK-50 Developer ?

[Smudger]

I have 2 packs of DK 50 5 litre, in good condition. Any suggestions how I could "spike" this to use as a paper developer ?

I have a range of chems on hand -Pot Brom , Metol,Hydroquinone,Sod Carbonate,etc

 

[Ian Grant]

Use them dilute as Crawley suggests, I think it's in the articles section.

Ian

 

[Rudeofus]

If I look at its recipe, the biggest difference between DK-50 and typical paper developers appears to be the amount of strong alkali: 10 g/l Kodalk vs. dozens of g/l Sodium Carbonate. In terms of alkalinity, Kodalk is not that much different from washing soda, so all you need to do is add 20-50 g/l of the latter to your mix and be done with it. It may be worthwhile to keep some Potassium Bromide around, just in case that new mix turns out too active.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

You can also use DK-50 as an acutance developer when diluted 1+4 with the Kodalk concentration raised to its original concentration. This appeared in the British Journal Annual 1972 p 230.

Part A

DK-50 prepared as usual

Part B

Kodalk .... 80 g
Water to make 1 l

For use take 2 parts A, 1 part B, and 7 parts of water. Development times are 8 to 13 m @ 20C depending on the film.

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

its also a pretty darn good film developer at 1:1.

 

[pentaxpete]

Yes -- I have mixed it up from the Formula as I read it was good for 'outdated' B&W films -- I used it with 1998 dated Kodak Tmax 3200 rated at 400 ASA diluted 1+1 and got some good negatives ( but GRAINY !!)

 

[Alan Johnson]

DK-50 1+0 is a bit short on hydroquinone compared with D-72 1+1:
http://www.digitaltruth.com/data/kodak_dk50.php
http://www.digitaltruth.com/data/kodak_d72.php
If you add the appropriate amount of carbonate but find the result a bit flat, adding a calculated amount of hydroquinone may increase the contrast.

 

[Smudger]

Thanks to all for the suggestions.