What makes PQ Universal universal?

[pkr1979]

Hi all,

I know Ilford isnt recommending it for roll films, but still - its getting close to be a developer for both paper and film. What is it that sets PQ Universal apart from other (paper) developers that makes it a 'universal' developer?

Cheers
Peter

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

You can develop technical and sheet films with it.

I use to develop Lith films for masking and know you can use to develop Fp4 sheet films as well with different dilution to achieve different contrast curves

 

[pkr1979]

You can develop technical and sheet films with it.

I use to develop Lith films for masking and know you can use to develop Fp4 sheet films as well with different dilution to achieve different contrast curves

Thanks. I suppose Im curios about what kind of qualities and properties PQ Universal has that makes it suitable for developing both film and paper opposed to other (paper) developers.

 

[halfaman]

Dektol works also well with film and paper, so I don't think there is anything special with Ilford PQ.

 

[Ian Grant]

Dektol works also well with film and paper, so I don't think there is anything special with Ilford PQ.

D72/Dektol does not give fine grain when processing film, PQ Universal does, so is quite different in this respect.

Ian

 

[MattKing]

Universal developers are like seasoned salt. You can make food that has seasoning particularly suited to the recipe, or you can use a seasoning that just adds some general flavour.
The advantage of universal developers is that they work in environments that don't demand specialization, where speed, efficiency and low costs are important.