Which is the best pyro for MF Jobo processing?

Sirius Glass

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Which is the best pyro for Jobo processing for 120 Tri-X 400, 4"x5" HP5+, 4"x5" TMax 100, and 4"x5" TMax 400?

ABC Plus Pyro [Rollo Pyro]?
Pyrocat-HD Film Developer?
Pyrocat-HD in Gylcol Film Developer?
Pyrocat-MC in Gylcol Film Developer?
​
Advice please.
 
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koraks

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Can't comment on Rollo, but the three pyrocats are more or less the same in terms of processing. I did find MC somewhat more active than HD, but otherwise image quality was identical. I personally always use HD in glycol because of its excellent keeping qualities.
 

Patrick Robert James

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Everyone is just going to tell you what they use...

I use PMK these days. I used to use Pyrocat-P and Pyrocat-PC. If you are using it in a JOBO you should lean towards the C versions probably. I've never used Rollo Pyro so I don't have an opinion on it. Rollo Pyro uses Pyrogallol which has a different color stain than Catechin. The main reason why I went back to PMK after 15 years of using Pyrocat is the stain of PMK gives better highlights in prints. By better, I mean I like the prints more than the ones with Pyrocat. YMMV.

Hope that helps you somewhat.
 

koraks

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In addition to the above: I find that pyrogallol developers are also somewhat more prone to uneven development than pyrocatechol developers. However, this may be due to my incompetence, who knows. But it did stand out for me at least.
 

Bob Carnie

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I have only used PMK.. and I stain... does this make me a bad person?
 

Alan9940

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koraks said:
In addition to the above: I find that pyrogallol developers are also somewhat more prone to uneven development than pyrocatechol developers. However, this may be due to my incompetence, who knows. But it did stand out for me at least.
Click to expand...

Same here; which is why I've used Pyrocat-HD in the Jobo (Expert Drums) for many years.
 

markbau

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I used PMK (developing Verichrome pan) in a Jobo for years, no problems at all. I've given up on pyro now only because I can't be bothered getting it sent over from the US and modern films don't seem to care what they are developed in.
 

Andrew O'Neill

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Pyrocat-HD. I use it for both tray and tube. I don't bother with the glycol. The developer has excellent keeping qualities to begin with if stored properly. I would only use glycol if I developed once in a blue moon...
 

Andrew O'Neill

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Patrick Robert James said:
I am not sure why that would make you a bad person, maybe smart for not messing around with what isn't broken. I wish I stuck with PMK all those years but a year ago I corrected my error. I drank the Pyrocat KoolAid unfortunately.
Click to expand...

You could say I drank the PMK/Rollo KookAid, too. After a year working with it, I switched over to Pyrocat-HD. It was a match made in heaven. To each his own.
 

Patrick Robert James

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Since it was mentioned above, one of the main reasons why I went back to PMK was consistency. I used PMK for about a decade and Pyrocat for about 15 years. Pyrocat was causing me intermittent issues with streaking, splotchiness and general problems. When I looked at all the old negs I developed with PMK I couldn't find any that had a problem. None. That is why I said I drank the KoolAid. There was no reason for me to switch. On top of that I prefer the highlights that PMK gave in prints. In the end it was a no brainer to go back to PMK.

Just my experience.
 

Bob Carnie

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I have only used PMK with Stain, I have made thousands of prints using negs from this process, I never felt a need to switch other than Photographers original scene situations that begged for a different developer.
 

TheFlyingCamera

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I tried PMK in a Jobo and it would oxidize way too rapidly unless you put way too much liquid in the drum (and risk burning out the motor in your Jobo). That was one of the reasons I switched to Pyrocat HD.

I do every once in a while get SPCDS (Sudden Pyrocat Death Syndrome) where one batch will be a-ok and the next one looks like I underexposed my film by five stops. This almost always happens near the bottom of the bottle. I've had it happen far less often now that I've switched to Pyrocat HD in glycol. Thinking of which, I need to order a fresh set.
 
OP
OP

Sirius Glass

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I am at the Photographer’s Formulary this week for a workshop and I am loading up on liquid chemicals especially Pyro and TF4 (I do not mind the smell). Thank you for the input.
 

KenS

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After some 60 years of developing large format negatives (by various developers and means) Pyrocat HD is now the only film developer in my darkroom.. and it is used in BTZS tubes. While I am not seeking any 'obvious stain'... But I feel I'm getting
'finer' AND 'sharper' edged 'grain' when making the occasional larger silver-gelatin prints. I have recently 'taken' to print only using the 'archaic print' print processes.. using my home-built UV light source. Yes... it IS more time consuming, but 'somehow much more 'satisfying'... 4x5' negatives processes in Pyrocat HD may are often 'scanned' and printed to 8x10" on PIctorico
It seems to be somewhat more 'work' and effort, but somehow much more 'satisfying'.
(or as my daughter used to say those many years ago.. "I done it all my byself"

Ken
 

L Gebhardt

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I have mainly used home mixed Pyrocat-HD in water. I mix up small batches, but as the bottles empty I find it has a non negligible chance of having turned. I will be switching to Pyrocat-HD in Glycol when I mix the next batch. I'm assuming I will also need to retest my times. I have mostly used it with TMY and FP4+, but I assume you will get equally good results with the other films as well.
 

Eric Rose

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Everyone is going to suggest their pet developer so I guess I'm doing the same thing. I have used PyroCat-HD in glycol almost exclusively for almost as long as it's been available. For both MF and LF. I don't have a Jobo but a good friend of mine does and I got him on to PyroCat-HD in glycol about 1.5 years ago and he LOVES it. Prior to that he was a very devoted Extol user. He does everything from 35mm to 8x20 using PyroCat-HD.

I have NEVER experienced any sudden death associated with PyroCat-HD. I suspect contamination if someone does experience this but I might be wrong. Another thing glycol formula lasts FOREVER! Just like HC110 and Rodinal.

There you have it, my 2 cents worth.

Eric
 

Bob Carnie

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Sudden death associated with PyroCat - HD.

I have never experienced this with PMK, but for about 6 months I was renting my darkroom Jobo to a dude who processed over 3 thousand sheets of Acros in Pyro Cat.. I remember him having this phenomena on many occasions, I do not think
he ever found out the reason.. this thread is the first I have seen others speak of this issue . All chems came from Photographers Formulary. which was strange .. I just assumed he was new to processing and was making mistakes.
 

koraks

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On the large format forum there has also been some discussion on it. Or perhaps that was only about unexpectedly low activity of ready-bought pyrocat. I can't comment; I haven't experienced it myself with my DIY chemistry. The formula doesn't seem very prone to sudden death looking at its chemistry; perhaps the vitamin C versions are more likely to exhibit this, analogous to XTOL.
 
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