Another interesting video John, I just finished mixing up some D23 as per the instructions from your fabulous book.
@PictorialPlanet3 ай бұрын
Thank you, Andrew!
@raybeaumont76703 ай бұрын
Cheers John. I often vary the first bath dev time depending on the subject and/or lighting but I always stick to 4 mins in bath2. My bath2 is always Sod Tet (Borax) but I mix it 14g per litre as it isn't quite as active as the Metaborate type. I still haven't tried the FX55 - I think I'm just happy with what I already use. As always - best wishes from the Rhondda.
@PictorialPlanet3 ай бұрын
Thank you, Ray. Yes, adjust time in bath A for contrast. Which two bath do you use?
@raybeaumont76703 ай бұрын
@@PictorialPlanet I have my own version - modified from Thornton's to better suit our local tap water supply ...... 6g Metol + 85g Sulphite per litre. It's surprising how tap water can vary. I'm originally from Lancashire and moved to Wales nearly forty years ago. I had to modify ALL my formulae and process times to correct my results here. I'm not moving again!!! Please keep the videos coming. Diolch!!!
@arneheeringa963 ай бұрын
Just bought your book a few days ago and waiting for it to arrive in the mail
@PictorialPlanet3 ай бұрын
Thank you very much, Arne!
@arneheeringa963 ай бұрын
You could try Pyro with sodium- or potassium hydroxide.
@PictorialPlanet3 ай бұрын
Pyrogallol based developers, such as PMK or 510 will work with metaborate but pyrocatechin based developers, such as pyrocat, need higher PH than metaborate but should work with carbonate or hydroxide.
@timwalker67903 ай бұрын
I'm going to try with Borax as bath B...
@PictorialPlanet3 ай бұрын
Please let us know how you get on. Thank you for trying it.
@hoggif3 ай бұрын
Grain (and film speed with FP4) seem so impressive with FX-55. I have all the chemicals and will surely try it out once my D76 canister runs out. Have you tried how's fogging with old expired film or compared to other developers generally? pH of 1% metaborate solution is more alkaline (pH 11.0) than borax (about 9.3 at 1%) but I guess the amount of developer in film is probably the limiting factor and activating something running out more may not matter. I've not tried any two bath developers so this is an educated guess only. Sometimes the reality gives surprises. Sodium carbonate (washing soda) should give a similar pH of about 11 too at 1% or so diulution. I guess I'll try that out some day (washing soda is more available than borates, especially in EU).
@PictorialPlanet3 ай бұрын
Definitely worth a try. You could find you love it!
@mikecallaghan95353 ай бұрын
Thanks for another great video. Is the 3/4 of the developing time, the published time, or your personal developing time as worked out in an earlier FX-55 video?
@PictorialPlanet3 ай бұрын
Always personal time. The less time in the developer (bath A) the more the compensation but give a minimum of half personal development time.
@alanhuntley553 ай бұрын
Just so I'm clear... Bath A is regular FX-55 mixed at 1+9, correct? Thanks for another great video, John.
@PictorialPlanet3 ай бұрын
Yes, Alan, bath A standard dilution FX55. Bath B 1% metaborate (5g in 500ml).
@alanhuntley553 ай бұрын
@@PictorialPlanet Thank you
@nevilleholmes13243 ай бұрын
Being cost conscious, Can the Bath B be used multiple times? Your prints look 10x8, I would not expect to see any grain with FP4, have you tried a crop enlarged?
@PictorialPlanet3 ай бұрын
I would think bath B could be reused many times. I haven't tested it but would think at least ten. My grain estimates come from examining the grain while enlarging. FP4 is my day to day film and I'm experienced in what this film can give in many developers.
@chriscard65443 ай бұрын
Excellent video. What would be the most sharp: D76 1+3 or Paranol S 1+50 ?
@PictorialPlanet3 ай бұрын
If Paranol S is like Rodinal then that will be sharper in my experience.
@jakobolszewski60343 ай бұрын
Heinrich Stoeckler or Stöckler, but defintely not Stoëckler