Alternative to Edwal FG7

[srbphoto]

Out of laziness (not wanting to do too much testing) I ask, does anyone have any suggestions on an alternative to Edwal FG7?

I am really happy with it, so I am not trying to get something different from my negs. I have used it for 15 years but I am having a hard time getting it around here. One place will order it but I have to buy a case. I do not like storing it because my experience is it breaks down quickly. B&H (and others) won't ship it.

I have heard D76 is similar and I am going to test that, but anything else would be helpful. I would like to go in with 3 or 4 choices to test.

I shoot TMAX 100 and tank develop with hangers (if that helps).

Thanks!!!

[Richard M. Coda]

TMax 100? Use TMax RS (A+B) 1:9

My time/dilutions are:

TMax 100 - 1:9 @ 75 deg 7 min. for N
TMax 400 - 1:15 @ 75 deg. 8 min for N

YMMV

[Jim Ewins]

Check with The Photographers Formulary formulary@blackfoot.com

[srbphoto]

Photographers Formulary recommends their TFX-2. O.K. TFX-2, D-76, TMAX RS and I'll find one other. Thanks for the help

[Duane Polcou]

Scott,

Having been the Technical Services Manager for Edwal from 1995-2001 I feel there is no substitute for Edwal FG-7 as its' primary deveoping agent was Benzoquinone rather than the usual Hydroquinone (which Ilford calls Elon). I know of no other commercially made deveper which utilized this chemical as it is very expensive, as toxic as pyro, difficult to store as it oxidizes when exposed to air, and must be dissolved in a slow, precise manner in the FG-7 formula as it easlily precipitates a black tar like substance if not done properly. Making it was a labor intensive two day multi-step process.

It was the highest acutance developer for T-Max 100 I've ever tested. I felt Rodinal was a close second, D-76 rotary processed was third, HC-110 fourth.
I never tested T-Max or X-tol.

FYI D-76 is just Metol, Hydroquinone, Sodium Sulfite, and Borax.

[Robert Hughes]

...I feel there is no substitute for Edwal FG-7 as its' primariy deveoping agent was Benzoquinone rather than the usual Hydroquinone (which Ilford calls Elon).

FYI D-76 is just Metol, Hydroquinone, Sodium Sulfite, and Borax.

Hold it. Elon was the Kodak term for Metol. Hydroquinone is the other one...

[jbenedict]

I know of no other commercially made deveper which utilized this chemical as it is very expensive, as toxic as pyro, difficult to store as it oxidizes when exposed to air, and must be dissolved in a slow, precise manner in the FG-7 formula as it easlily precipitates a black tar like substance if not done properly. Making it was a labor intensive two day multi-step process.
.

I'm trying to find it again but, within the last two weeks, I discovered a developer which the maker claimed was a 'clone' of FG7. I can't remember where I saw it and haven't been able to find it again.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

Jeff "Still looking" Benedict

[Duane Polcou]

Hold it. Elon was the Kodak term for Metol. Hydroquinone is the other one...

Yes! My mistake.

[srbphoto]

Duane...Thanks for the info. Is this why I wasn't able to store FG7 for very long? When I was in the Bay Area, I would buy the smallest bottle (for the amount of negs I was going to develop) just before I was going to develop film.
I really love the stuff and my whole system is geared around it, but it's just hard to get out here.
Thanks everyone!