Agfa/Ansco 48 -- anyone using this or similar "old" formula?

[Shen45]

The weather is cooler again here in my city and I decided to try Agfa/Ansco 48 as an experiment.
The result was very good so I would be interested to know if anyone uses this or other older developers you mix yourself.
I found the grain tight, not coarse as I expected and the tone range was good.
I liked the result and made the replenisher to try over the next couple of weeks.

Steve

[Peter De Smidt]

Steve, I don't know that formula. I just started using D23 1+1. So far, so good.

[Eric Biggerstaff]

My go-to is still Rodinal, easy to use, cheap and it lasts forever. So many of the older formulas are still, in my opinion, great to use.

[Mark Sampson]

I'm not familiar with that formula, either. Glad to hear that you're getting good results!
But you should be aware that any replenishment method is designed for large volumes of film. Still, its worth a try- just be very careful, to insure consistent results.

[Michael R]

I assume the reference is to Agfa/Ansco 48M. The M was for metaborate. It’s a similar formula to Kodak DK-50 but with a little less metol and less HQ. I think it was originally intended for similar purposes - ie mostly large volumes/deep tanks with replenishment.

[Daniel Unkefer]

Here it is:

https://www.digitaltruth.com/data/formula.php?FormulaID=17

This looks a lot to me like ADOX Borax MQ Developer, I started using this with Eastman XX Cinema Film. Used the replenisher too, I like the negs I get with that.

Most recently my developer for just about everything has been D23, either diluted one-shot or replenished. So far I like using it replenished in a liter bottle.

[Shen45]

Thanks for the comments. Thanks Mark for the reminder, I'm aware of the changes that can happen with a replenisher but it's always good to keep those things in mind. I'm not sure how the developer will perform used 1+1. A litre of the formula is quick to prepare and prior to use diluted per film would hopefully remain consistent.
I've mixed 1000ml of the developer and 500 ml replenisher [splitting the replenisher 250/250] and will see how stable that amount is. I intend to dump the developer when I have used the first 250ml of replenisher @20ml per 120 roll film. About 25 films. Then mix another litre of developer. Mind you all of this is semi educated guessing.

Steve

[esearing]

Without a side by side comparison with another developer its unknown if you are getting something worth switching to. Take two or more shots of the same image then develop in the developers of choice and scan/print them side by side. How does each perform in the different tonal regions , how different are the densities, is one apparently sharper than the other. What is the shelf life or is it best only used fresh?

I would also note if you have to mix every 1 liter batch and use at full strength there could be some likelihood of error introduced vs using a "stock and dilute" oneshot developer like HC-110/Rodinol/pryocat.