Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: PMK solution B saturation

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    314

    PMK solution B saturation

    I've been using PMK for a number of years now.
    I'm now noticing (and finally becoming concerned with) the percipitation in the mixed Solution B. Which is potassium...something? I can't remember what.

    Anyhow, I understand the B solution is heavily saturated. I can never get the solution to mix completely. There's always a considerable amount (as in a film) across the bottom after a couple minutes of mixing. I notice it's been getting worse lately in my case. I do use distilled water. Is this a problem?

    -Alex

  2. #2

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Nevada
    Posts
    90

    Re: PMK solution B saturation

    I have always been able to mix mine from powder thoroughly, my problem has been crystals settling out after sitting on the shelf for a bit. I have heated the B bottle and the crystals go back into solution, but even if I feel too lazy and dont mix the crystals back in, I have never noticed a problem in the developed negatives. I feel as long as Solution A is consistant, some crystals in the bottom of my Solution B bottle are not a problem.

  3. #3
    Eric Woodbury
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    1,637

    Re: PMK solution B saturation

    I've been using PMK for 17 years now. I had problems getting B to dissolve right from the beginning. Just too much powder into too little water. Every since I double the water and double the amount of B I use in the developer. I asked Gordon Hutchings one time why it was so concentrated. He said he wanted to keep the amount of B that is added to the final solution to a minimum so that the temperature of B didn't affect the final solution temperature significantly.

    Even at the higher dilution, I get little crystal palaces forming in the winter time when it is colder in my darkroom. Sometimes I just add a little more B, sometimes not, and sometimes I make B from scratch. The results don't seem to vary as far as I can tell.

  4. #4
    Photographer
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    Pine Junction, CO
    Posts
    992

    Re: PMK solution B saturation

    I had no problem with solution B for a long time, but have recently. I thought it might relate to a change in the chemical from the supplier (Photographers' Formulary). I ordered a new batch, but had the same experience. I've been diluting the B solution more to get it to disolve, and then using a higher proportion of solution A. I seem to be getting comparable results.
    Keith Pitman

  5. #5

    Re: PMK solution B saturation

    I just use the pre-mixed liquid solutions from Photographers' Formulary.No problems here.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jan 1998
    Location
    Fort Worth TX
    Posts
    253

    Re: PMK solution B saturation

    Which is potassium...something? I can't remember what.

    used to be called Kodalk now it is sodium metaborate

    lee\c

Similar Threads

  1. PMK and BTZS
    By Shen45 in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 29-Nov-2007, 19:04
  2. HC110 converting solution A to solution b
    By spgreene in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 21-Oct-2006, 07:39
  3. Old Formulas : Toners
    By Paul Fitzgerald in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 2-Apr-2005, 09:35
  4. Old Formulas : Film
    By Paul Fitzgerald in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 19-Mar-2005, 21:31
  5. PMK questions
    By Ben Calwell in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 30-Sep-2004, 04:21

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •