WD2D+ & BTZS Tubes

[Shen45]

So many formulas and so little time. What the heck - I'll try it later today.
Any suggestions on the amount of EDTA to add. I've added EDTA to my PMK as per Hutchings as I use BTZS tubes.

From memory his suggestion is about 5 gms/litre

Steve

[Jay DeFehr]

So many formulas and so little time. What the heck - I'll try it later today.
Any suggestions on the amount of EDTA to add. I've added EDTA to my PMK as per Hutchings as I use BTZS tubes.

From memory his suggestion is about 5 gms/litre

Steve

Steve,

I've never used EDTA, and I think if you use distilled water for the stock solution it isn't necessary, but if you'd like to add some, I'd try about 0.2g, to keep with the concentration recommended for PMK.

[Kimberly Anderson]

Mike, PMK is not good for rotary processing. The PMK version for that is Rollo-Pyro. Pyrocat-HD will work fine for both rotary and tray... and you don't need Triethanolamine.

I have heard a lot on this board that I agree with and a lot that I disagree with. This is one of those that I disagree with. I have been using PMK in the JOBO with my 4x5, 5x7, 4x10 and 8x10 negatives for over 3 years now and I have to say that I have NEVER had better negatives. HP5+ in all formats.

[Jay DeFehr]

I have heard a lot on this board that I agree with and a lot that I disagree with. This is one of those that I disagree with. I have been using PMK in the JOBO with my 4x5, 5x7, 4x10 and 8x10 negatives for over 3 years now and I have to say that I have NEVER had better negatives. HP5+ in all formats.

Michael,

What other staining developers have you tried?

[Kimberly Anderson]

MaxPyro and Rollo Pyro.

[Jay DeFehr]

And you prefer PMK to both, with rotary processing?

[Kimberly Anderson]

Yeah.

[Jay DeFehr]

That's interesting. How are you printing?

[Kimberly Anderson]

Printing GSP's, PT/PD, cyanotypes and VDB's. Also scanning and doing inkjet prints.

[Jay DeFehr]

Printing GSP's, PT/PD, cyanotypes and VDB's. Also scanning and doing inkjet prints.

Wow! The full gamut! I'm not sure why Rollo Pyro or Max Pyro gave you negatives of lower quality than PMK -- I would expect either to at least equal PMK in rotary processing. The problem, and it's well documented, with PMK in rotary processing is that it produces excessive general stain. Excessive is a relative term, but in this case it's relative to other staining developers designed to be used in rotary processing. There's any number of reasons you might not see this as a problem, but that shouldn't be taken to mean the developer somehow works differently for you than it does for other people, although that is one possibility. The good news is that you're happy with your results, so there's not really any good reason to worry about others' experiences or results.