Technical Pan Questions

[fotch]

I never got around to trying this film back in the day, however, I always preferred fine grain film, Panatomic-X, slow films in medium and large format.

I have an original package that I purchase new a long time ago of containing 2 rolls of 35mm Technical Pan film with a packet of dry powder Technidol developer. The package has a date expired Feb. 1984, not cold stored, just a cool dry basement, perhaps 60F.

I acquired 5 rolls of 120 Technical Pan film last year. I will need more developer to process this film even if my powder packet is still good as its only enough for the 2 rolls.

My questions:
1. Is the original dry powder packet (no discoloring on package) likely to be good yet?
2. Or should I buy some of the liquid Kodak Technidol that appears in EBay?
3. Are the old liquid packages likely to still be good?
4. Technidol vs Photographers' Formulary TD-3, are they pretty much equal?
5. Sell what I have and replace with current films?

Thank you in advance for any advise or comments you can share.

 

[John Wiegerink]

If you expose a roll and want to develop it you could always test the developer on a piece of scrap 35mm just to see if it works before wasting your 120 TechPan roll. I still have some developer also and would think it to be good yet, but have not tested it. I mainly used Rodinal 1:200 with Tech Pan years ago and it was really a nice combination. I had to use a large two reel tank with the film on the bottom reel to make sure my dilution had enough Rodinal punch. It was a semi-stand type of development. I can't remember the exact time, but do know it was long(25 or 30min maybe). I also remember the time when it was that long and when the dilution was that great wasn't as important as say, D76 and Tri-X. JohnW

 

[EdSawyer]

Liquid technidol is your best bet. It keeps fairly well, as it's sealed in mylar I think. haven't tried the TD-3 but I'd think that would be good 2nd alternative. I doubt the powdered technidol is still good - maybe so. Technidol does have a re-use once method, where you can use it for twice as many rolls as normal, by extending dev time on the 2nd batch. THat's how I usually used it.

-Ed

 

[bob100684]

I have several pouches of liquid developer that I would be willing to trade all but one of in exchange for one roll of 120.

 

[c6h6o3]

TD-3 is a wonderful developer and I much prefer it to Technidol. It will allow you to shoot TP at at least one stop higher speed, and is a staining developer which renders a stain on TP very similar in color to that which I get with Pyrocat-HD. If PF is still selling TD-3 I would get some and use it. The degree of enlargement obtainable with Technical Pan is so absolutely astonishing that no other film comes even close. TP is the King of Kings in this regard.

In answer to your question #4, I would say that the two developers are not similar at all. Especially since your film is out of date, I think TD-3 is a better choice. It's higher speed and stain will help offset any deterioration due to age.

 

[Neal]

Dear fotch,

C-41 developer for 10 minutes (8 minutes in a Jobo). Easy to find too.

Neal Wydra

 

[removed account4]

asa 200 in dektol for kodaltity full contrast

 

[fotch]

TD-3 is a wonderful developer and I much prefer it to Technidol. It will allow you to shoot TP at at least one stop higher speed, and is a staining developer which renders a stain on TP very similar in color to that which I get with Pyrocat-HD. If PF is still selling TD-3 I would get some and use it. The degree of enlargement obtainable with Technical Pan is so absolutely astonishing that no other film comes even close. TP is the King of Kings in this regard.

In answer to your question #4, I would say that the two developers are not similar at all. Especially since your film is out of date, I think TD-3 is a better choice. It's higher speed and stain will help offset any deterioration due to age.

Jim, are you saying TD-3 would be equal,or very close to Technidol? Or only if the film is out of date? My understanding is this film, like other slow films keep very good, even at room temperature.

One more questions, what else would work in in the TD-3, or is it just a single purpose developer?

Thanks

 

[c6h6o3]

Jim, are you saying TD-3 would be equal,or very close to Technidol? Or only if the film is out of date? My understanding is this film, like other slow films keep very good, even at room temperature.

One more questions, what else would work in in the TD-3, or is it just a single purpose developer?

Thanks

I've never used TD-3 with any other film, so I can't answer that last question.

I'm saying that TD-3 is different (in a better way) from Technidol, which is a non-staining developer. I've made 16x20s from 4x5 TP negatives souped in TD-3 which you would swear were contact prints. Absolutely grainless and tack sharp. The stain gives me good contrast, even at high degrees of enlargement.

Technidol's good, too, but I prefer TD-3. With Technidol I rated TP at 12, and with TD-3 I rated it at 50. Good luck. I'm sure you'll be happy with your negatives. Technical Pan is really something else.