continuing pyrocat problem

[Jbuck]

Since i while i noticed that after a while the pyro cat hd starts acting strange ( after using it for 1,5 months) .. the negatives become under-develop... and the exposure was correct..
this always happens when the bottle of pyrocat liquid is 1/3 empty..

i tried 2 different pyrocats HD (from 2 different sellers) and the same problem appear.

Is this typical for Pyrocat ? or am i just unlucky with the batches?

(i use it in BTZS tubes with mostly HP5 / 4x5 and 8x10)

[mpirie]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but i've seen similar problems with Pyro-HD and my setup.

I can use the same batch in trays and it's perfect, but using tanks cases me problems with 5x4 sheet film....but not 120 roll film.

I still think this is contamination causing the developer to exhaust early.....leading to under-developed negs. Very frustrating.

Mike

[Ken Lee]

Since i while i noticed...

I tried sending you a PM but your inbox is full.

You might consider one of the formulas which can be mixed fresh just before development, either because they are sold in syrup form or because they are simple to prepare from scratch in small volume.

Please don't flame me, but I have found that differences between developers are sometimes given more attention than they deserve, especially where Large Format is concerned.

As Sandy King (who invented Pyrocat and its variants) stated here: "Getting the look you are after is more a matter of process than of specific materials. TRI-X and PMK might work for some, others would get what they want with Puke-a-Pan and D-FartyOne"

[Pere Casals]

Since i while i noticed that after a while the pyro cat hd starts acting strange ( after using it for 1,5 months) .. the negatives become under-develop... and the exposure was correct..
this always happens when the bottle of pyrocat liquid is 1/3 empty..

i tried 2 different pyrocats HD (from 2 different sellers) and the same problem appear.

Is this typical for Pyrocat ? or am i just unlucky with the batches?

(i use it in BTZS tubes with mostly HP5 / 4x5 and 8x10)

http://www.pyrocat-hd.com/html/preservation.html

"Solution B of Pyrocat-HD should last for several years unless contaminated with Part A or some other chemical." (Sandy K.)

Solution A should last several months, 6 at least, since mixed.

You may purchase a "REAGENT KIT", so you know when you mix the solutions.

[Jbuck]

thanks guys!

and thanks, i just emptied my inbox

[bob carnie]

Thanks Ken for the informative post I never thought of D farty one as a developer... I have switched to a more vegetarian diet ( not total ) and I am finding the more legumes I am eating I produce more gas, I will bottle this and use the next time I want to process black and white film. Thanks to Sandy King for inventing this process, I always thought he was a bit of a blow hard and now this confirms it.

[Jbuck]

can i also spray gas inside of a bottle of PyrocatHD liquid? to remove the air? -- like i do with DDX / D76

[Corran]

Since switching to the Glycol variant, I've had less issues with Pyrocat and longevity. My last set from PF, the 500mL size, lasted for about a year in their original bottles with no special care - no gas, no decanting, no nothing. I should probably decant into smaller bottles just for safety though.

[Jbuck]

Since switching to the Glycol variant, I've had less issues with Pyrocat and longevity. My last set from PF, the 500mL size, lasted for about a year in their original bottles with no special care - no gas, no decanting, no nothing. I should probably decant into smaller bottles just for safety though.

I develop 1 batch (circa 8 sheets) 2x per week... and every time the liquid dies out after 1,5 - 2 months.. i love the look... but im thinking of switching to DDX

[Corran]

Okay, but are you using the Glycol variant?