Svema Micrat dev advice

This version of Svema had been acquired recently, together with other emulsions, as sold by Svema/Astrum in Ukraine.

I was told by the seller (Astrum) that this film is 32ASA, but I haven't found any reference on how to develop. As the box label indicates only "Micrat-N develop time 5 minutes", without any other indication on ASA, I am bit unclear on how or in what to process it.



I am further unclear on what exactly this film is: a 32 ASA, or is this the 3ASA "blue sensitivity" type? MDC gives some indications on processing various films from Svema, but it does not list this Micrat as 32. There is a Svema film marked "Micrat-N" that I have seen online, but the colour of the negative (unshot) is dark not lavender bright blue, like the one I have purchased.

The short of it: is anyone has any experience with this film? If so, please enlighten me, thank you!

This is a high-contrast microfilm, so you might want to go with something that controls (and preferably - reduces) contrast.

"N" in its name stands for "Negative", for there is also "Micrat-Ortho". Back in the days there were few different types of Micrat film: Micrat-200 (ISO2), Micrat-300 (ISO4 or ISO5) and Micrat-900 (ISO0.05-0.07). This last one was absolutely sick with 600 l/mm resolution, if claims weren't lying. Some post from 2004 on Russian forum claims that UP-2M works well for it:

metol - 5 grams
hydroquinone - 6 grams
sodium sulfite anhydrous - 40 grams
sodium carbonate anhydrous - 31 grams
potassium bromide - 4 grams
water to make 1 liter of solution.

The worst thing was developing time, though, it stated "3-8 minutes at 20 degrees", so pretty vague at best.

I take it that you ordered it from Svema, so perhaps they can recommend something?

Haven't asked them guys from Svema, I'll send a message. Do you have any idea what ISO/ASA is this negative?

I keep a bottle of Rollei RLC (to use with my Rollei ATP1 .1 films), and that is a contrast tamer, afaik. Will give that a try.

Thank you !!