Zonal Pro Chemicals

[Ektagraphic]

Hello- I was wondering if anyone else uses the Zonal Pro Chemicals from Alta Photographic. I really really like them. They are all in liquid form and are extremely economical having an $8.95 bottle of developer yeild 40 (an a few) rolls. --Patrick

 

[RPippin]

I have used Zonal Pro for quite a while now and like it very much. The only thing I haven't done with it is develop film! I do love the prints that come out of it, but I'm very partial to warm prints.

 

[papagene]

I have used them in the past with good results, but are not available locally anymore. I found their Gamma Plus film developer gave me the best results with T-Max films.

gene

 

[mwdake]

I used the Gamma Plus Film Developer a while back as that is all my local shop sells.
The shop owner swears by it and said that is all he uses in his in store lab.
I gave it a try and was very impressed especially when using Fuji Acros at the time.

 

[Ed Sukach]

Just "returned" to Zonal Pro Gamma Plus after re-discovering an OLD (!!) bottle of it in my darkroom. So far a few rolls of AgfaPan, and Arista "Premium"... and, IMHO, **excellent** results.
Now wondering why I ever strayed from usig it.

 

[Ektagraphic]

They are economical too. The only thing I am finding is that the 3 min reccomended for fixer when developing film is no where near enough time. It needs like 5 min.

 

[eddie]

One of the advantages they list, on their website is:
"Sequestering, which allows you to use local tap water to mix solutions without altering their performance characteristics."
I always mix my film chemistry with distilled water. Can anyone comment on using their film developer with tap water?

 

[Anon Ymous]

One of the advantages they list, on their website is:
"Sequestering, which allows you to use local tap water to mix solutions without altering their performance characteristics."
I always mix my film chemistry with distilled water. Can anyone comment on using their film developer with tap water?

Nothing special I'm afraid. Many products have sequestering agents in them to make them compatible with tap water. I haven't used any of their products though.

 

[Photo Engineer]

All of Kodak developers contain sequestrants. I am sure that other major manufacturers do as well.

PE

 

[Ed Sukach]

I've always used tap water with Zonal Pro... no problem. Rule of thumb: If you would drink the water, it is OK for use as a developer component.

 

[Lopaka]

I've always used tap water with Zonal Pro... no problem. Rule of thumb: If you would drink the water, it is OK for use as a developer component.

I find that if you would drink the water vs if you could drink the water can be very subjective depending on what water you are used to.

My tap water is relatively low in mineral content, so I have had no issues in mixing chemistry with it. Never having contended with high mineral content, or water that has passed through a water softener, I can't comment on that.

Bob

 

[Ed Sukach]

I find that if you would drink the water vs if you could drink the water can be very subjective depending on what water you are used to.

My tap water is relatively low in mineral content, so I have had no issues in mixing chemistry with it. Never having contended with high mineral content, or water that has passed through a water softener, I can't comment on that.

Bob

I only intended to set up a diffuse, admitedly "rough" rule that might be useful in determining whether or not the "sequesteriting agents" would be sufficiently effective.

If you, or anyone else, can suggest something better - short of high-end chemical analyses - I'm all ears.