Will Microdol give me the same results as Microdol-X?

gone · Jun 3, 2015

I used up the last of my Mic-X, and have this unopened can of Microdol replenisher. Since PE said that it would not work for the Mic-X variety, this might be a good opportunity to try the original version. But will it give me roughly similar results to the X version?

I understand that the original version had some issues w/ fogging film, which is why they put the silver sequestering agents into the X version (and who knows what else). Hopefully this will not be an issue w/ the Arista EDU Ultra 100 film that I have.

Gerald C Koch · Jun 3, 2015

It is unclear what you intend to do. Do you want to use the replenisher as developer? The chemical balance in a developer and its replenisher is different. A replenisher is usually designed to be more active to offset the decrease in activity of the developer with use.

gone · Jun 3, 2015

I plan on using the replenisher w/ some yet-to-be bought Microdol. The replenisher is for the non X variety. I was just wondering if the non X version of the developer will give me similar results as the X version. I have no experience using Microdol, only the Microdol-X developer.

Gerald C Koch · Jun 3, 2015

The results should be very similar. Microdol caused dichroic fog with some films but not all. But that was long ago and emulsions have changed. Give it a try. Are you able to mix your own as I have a formula for microdol from Grant Haist's book. Developer uses 4 ingredients and the replenisher 5. Both use sodium chloride for which pickling salt is the best choice.

Gerald C Koch · Jun 3, 2015

APUGuser19 said:
I've been using plain kosher salt and have been happy. I just use the Microdol-X listings in the development charts, and all seems the same to me.

Some salts have an anti-caking additive that causes cloudy solutions. The pickling salt does not.

gone · Jun 4, 2015

Thanks very much. I could mix my own, but for now it's relatively cheap to buy it on the auction sites, especially if I can replenish it. I always use it full strength for the teeny tiny grain on 35mm. I can't find anything that gives me negs like I get when using it w/ several types of film.

I didn't know that about salt, but it makes sense, as often its taken from the ground, or under it. Wonder what is done differently on the kosher salt? I found this very interesting info on salt here

http://www.mortonsalt.com/salt-facts/salt-production-and-processing

Werewolfman · Jun 12, 2017

Actually, the old Microdol works much better than Microdol-X. No film speed loss!

John Wiegerink · Jun 12, 2017

Werewolfman said:
Actually, the old Microdol works much better than Microdol-X. No film speed loss!

WOW! I never knew or noticed that. I make my own and I lost at least a half stop on all films and more on some than others. Still, it's a very nice developer diluted.

John Wiegerink · Jun 12, 2017

momus said:
Thanks very much. I could mix my own, but for now it's relatively cheap to buy it on the auction sites, especially if I can replenish it. I always use it full strength for the teeny tiny grain on 35mm. I can't find anything that gives me negs like I get when using it w/ several types of film.

I didn't know that about salt, but it makes sense, as often its taken from the ground, or under it. Wonder what is done differently on the kosher salt? I found this very interesting info on salt here

http://www.mortonsalt.com/salt-facts/salt-production-and-processing

Kosher salt is blessed? I think Kosher and pickling salt are one in the same.

darkroommike · Jun 12, 2017

John Wiegerink said:
Kosher salt is blessed? I think Kosher and pickling salt are one in the same.

Kosher salt is large flat flakes with an anti-caking agent (at least some of the time), pickling salt is very much just sodium chloride with nothing that might make the pickles taste off. Kosher salt is less refined than table salt. Table salt is pickling salt with iodine added to prevent goiter.

John Wiegerink · Jun 12, 2017

darkroommike said:
Kosher salt is large flat flakes with an anti-caking agent (at least some of the time), pickling salt is very much just sodium chloride with nothing that might make the pickles taste off. Kosher salt is less refined than table salt. Table salt is pickling salt with iodine added to prevent goiter.

Ahhhh! Thanks for the clarification. I have used both Kosher and pickling salt in my home-brew and saw no difference.

Petraio Prime · Jun 12, 2017

momus said:
I used up the last of my Mic-X, and have this unopened can of Microdol replenisher. Since PE said that it would not work for the Mic-X variety, this might be a good opportunity to try the original version. But will it give me roughly similar results to the X version?

I understand that the original version had some issues w/ fogging film, which is why they put the silver sequestering agents into the X version (and who knows what else). Hopefully this will not be an issue w/ the Arista EDU Ultra 100 film that I have.

This is replenisher, not developer, and has to be at least 55 years old. Throw it away.

John Wiegerink · Jun 12, 2017

Petraio Prime said:
This is replenisher, not developer, and has to be at least 55 years old. Throw it away.

Oh yes, I agree if it's that old don't take a chance(in cans with no rust maybe?). Besides, if you mix your own it's so cheap you won't have to try and save a penny by using a replenisher.

Will Microdol give me the same results as Microdol-X?

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