Selectol Soft

clayne · Nov 14, 2009

Is it normal for the working solution to have very little keeping properties in comparison to Dektol? Seems that reuse even after 24-48 hours of storage within a temp canister can result in cloudy or inconsistently developed blacks.

Normally with Dektol working solution I can keep it for days, even weeks, in a sealed canister - dumping it only when dmax time gets outrageous or it's obvious that the developer is just done. But with SS it really seems to die if it's had exposure to oxygen for 24 hours.

Ian Grant · Nov 14, 2009

Yes, Selectol Soft doesn't have a long tray life as it's a simple Metol based developer. In fact the Ilford pblished equivalent of D165 (Selectol Soft) ID-3 can be made up as two stock solutions to give much greater shelf life as a stock solution.

Ian

clayne · Nov 14, 2009

Ian Grant said:
Yes, Selectol Soft doesn't have a long tray life as it's a simple Metol based developer. In fact the Ilford pblished equivalent of D165 (Selectol Soft) ID-3 can be made up as two stock solutions to give much greater shelf life as a stock solution.

Ian

I figured it was something having to do with it's simple chemistry. Thanks Ian.

sepiareverb · Nov 14, 2009

Selectol will give a very similar color to Selectol Soft with contrast levels much closer to Dektol. I used to convert Selectol Soft to Selectol, but now just mix it up from the formula.

df cardwell · Nov 14, 2009

Selectol / D-52 is a great, right-in-the-middle developer, like LPD or 130(minus HQ).

Hard to beat, JUST right.

dancqu · Nov 15, 2009

ID-3

Just wondering. What is the formula? Would
you equate it to Ansco 120 or Beers A? Dan

Stan160 · Nov 15, 2009

I made a batch of ID-3 for the first time a couple of weeks ago to soften some G2 Slavich Unibrom. Formula used:
500ml water at 52C
6g Metol
25g Sodium Sulphite
37.5g Sodium Carbonate
1g Potassium Bromide
cold water top up to 1l.

Use diluted 1+3. Produced the looked for slight lowering in contrast, and also a slight warming effect compared to my standard Ilford MG dev used 1+9.

Ian

sepiareverb · Nov 15, 2009

Just so it's here as well,
Selectol (D-52), 1 Liter:

500ml water at 125°F
Metol: 1.5g
Sodium Sulfite: 22.5g
Hydroquinone: 6g
Sodium Carbonite (mono): 17g
Potassium Bromide: 1.5g
top off with cold water to 1 Liter

dancqu · Nov 16, 2009

Don't confuse Selectol with Selectol Soft.
Compare with D-72, Dektol, then with
Ansco 120 and Beer's A.

Is the Selectol Soft formula public? Dan

Ian Grant · Nov 16, 2009

dancqu said:
Don't confuse Selectol with Selectol Soft.
Compare with D-72, Dektol, then with
Ansco 120 and Beer's A.

Is the Selectol Soft formula public? Dan

Yes as D165 which is virtually identical to ID-3 (37g Carbonate as opposed to 37.5g).

Ian

naugastyle · Nov 16, 2009

The Selectol-soft package says 8 hours in tray, which means one session only for me as I can only go once per week. Bummer.

dancqu · Nov 16, 2009

An Easy Home Brew

naugastyle said:
The Selectol-soft package says 8 hours in tray, which
means one session only for me as I can only go once
per week. Bummer.

I've put a lot of time into tinkering with Ansco 120.
Is also is a metol only developer but with more modest
ratios twixt the metol, sulfite, and carbonate. 1:3:3 +
a little bromide.

How about no carbonate, 1:3:0? Slow to develop but
same results. Less sulfite, 1:1:3? Same results. I am
quite sure results from Ansco 120 will be identical to
those from Selectol Soft or ID-3.

Full batch formula: 12 - 36 - 36 - 1.8 grams metol -
sulfite - carbonate - bromide. I always mix a partial
batch which is used within a week or two. Used more
dilute than usual I've no qualms about having fresh
chemistry each session.

BTW, Beer's A has the same formula as Ansco 120
save for being 2/3 the strength. Dan

Selectol Soft

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