The Ilford PQ variants of ID-11 (D76)

[Ian Grant]

Ian Grant submitted a new resource:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists) - The Ilford PQ variants of ID-11 (D76)

Most of the MQ variations of D76 are published widely, but less is known about the PQ variants of Ilford's equivalent developer ID-11

Although J.D. Kendall of Ilford discovered and patented Phenidone (1-Phenyl-3-Pyrazolidone) in 1941 it was 11 years before the first packaged products containing it went on sale.

Many of these first developers were simply Phenidone based versions of MQ developers, typical examples are ID-20 PQ and ID-36 PQ, and research into other possible developer...

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

The latest Ilford variants are DD (Dip & Dunk) developer and DD-X which are the nearest so far to a liquid concentrated version Microphen.
http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/20061302033292749.pdf

 

[Ian Grant]

DD & DDX aren't PQ variants of ID-11, like ID-68 & Microphen they are new formulations.

 

[Vaughn]

Ian, I have been using Ilford's Universal PQ developer for FP4+ with nice results (for pt/pd and carbon printing)..not quite sure where it falls into place with the formulas you listed above.

vaughn

 

[Ian Grant]

No PQ Universal is quite different, it's not designed to be a fine grain formula. However diluted 1+19 or 1+29 it will give excellent results on most films, very good fine grain and tonality.

May & Baker's Suprol was always slightly better.

Ian

 

[Vaughn]

snipHowever diluted 1+19 or 1+29 it will give excellent results on most films, very good fine grain and tonality.
Ian

Thanks...that is the range of dilution I have been using it at (Jobo drum/motor base). With contact printing, I have not worried too much about grain size.

Vaughn

 

[BradS]

Ian, Thanks for doing this research and sharing the results here.

I've used ID-68. Somewhere, I also found a replenisher. It is a very nice developer. Works great with HP-5+ rated at EI-800. Still, if it is available, I tend to prefer Acufine in this case.

 

[Ian Grant]

The Replenisher for ID-68

ID68 R

Sodium sulphite (anhydrous) 85 gm.
Hydroquinone 8 gm.
Borax 10 gm.
Phenidone 0.22 gm.
Water to make 1 litre

Ian

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

A friend of mine studied at Plymouth College Of Art & Design in the late 70`s. The B&W film developers were Kodak D-76 and Ilford Microphen. D-76 was by far the favourite developer of the photography students.

 

[Ian Grant]

I have to agree I've always preferred ID-11 to Microphen or ID-68 for normal use.

However before XP1 & 2 were released I regularly shot Rock concerts using HP5 at 1600 or 3200 ISO and then Microphen/ID-68 came into its own, it was substantially better.

The two PQ variants of ID-11 aren't like Microphen/ID-68 which has been tweaked to give the extra speed boost by cutting the Sulphite, which also leads to the slightly more pronounce grain.

Some people like that slightly gritty edge that Microphen/ID-68 gives.

Ian

 

[seawolf66]

Ian Grant : Thanks for info on the ID-11 developer, which I use

 

[johnnywalker]

My o my, how did these digital pictures get here??

 

[Ian Grant]

An update on the Axford-Kendal PQ Fine Grain Film Developer

Two papers, in 1956 & 57 looked at the effects of bromide and replenishment on this developer which by then had been released under the Autophen trade name. A third paper relates to testing procedures to determine Phenidone & Hydroquinone levels.

Unlike ID-11/D76 the Axford/Kendal PQ - F.G.F. developer doesn't suffer from Bromide build up and needs a lower rate of replenishment as a consequence making it significantly more economic. Ilford ID-166 (D76d) was used as the reference standard.

Tests were carried out in a commercial laboratory using a 24 gallon (UK) process line/tank and 65,000 rolls of film processed with topping up replenishment, giving consistent results. With MQ developers a bleed system of replenishment is required.

That's 595 rolls of film per litre !!!! Who says replenishments not economic ?

Ian