Interested in trying Pyrocat - HD or MC

[stradibarrius]

I have used Rodinal and HC-110 for quite some time and am happy with both but would like to try Pyrocat HD or Pyrocat MC.
If I understand correctly Pyrocat gives finer grain and it also stains the negative a bit????

Rodinal and HC-110 are so easy to use and last forever. I shoot Acros 100, Tri-x 320 and HP5.

I am interested in opinions about how Pyrocat HD or MC compare in ease of use, longevity, and of course end result.

I love detail and sharpness in my negatives and of course tonal range.

[Peter Gomena]

Pyrocat-HD in glycol lasts indefinitely on the shelf, much like Rodinal and HC-110. Pyrocat-HD in water has a shorter shelf life, maybe 6 months to a year.

I find Pyrocat very easy to use and it is a very versatile developer. It absolutely rocks with Acros. I've only recently started using it with Tri-X 320 and am getting good results with it. I don't use HP5, but I use it with FP4+ all the time. Buy some, make some test shots and try it.

Lots of folks on this forum use it, and it even has its own website: http://www.pyrocat-hd.com/

Peter Gomena

[Gem Singer]

Pyrocat-HD and Ilford HP-5+ is a match made in heaven. Have been using it for several years with excellent results.

Previously used Ilford DD-X and often blew out the highlights. Almost impossible to blow out highlights with a pyro developer.

Not to worry. The stain is very faint. Looks like a tobacco stain. Very little effect on VC printing.

Continuous agitation for the first minute. Then, agitate for 15 seconds each additional minute until the time expires.

For longer shelf life, purchase Pyrocat-HD in glycol from the Photographer's Formulary and use the standard dilution of 1:1:100. A little goes a long way

Try it. You'll like it.

[Eric Rose]

I've used it for semi-stand development for about 4 years and love it.

[stradibarrius]

Ok...sounds good but one more question.
Please expalin the difference in the glycol vs. water versions. Is it just what you use to mix?

[Gem Singer]

Pyrocat-HD oxidizes rapidly when mixed in water.

When mixed formulated with glycol, it oxidizes much more slowly. Therefore, the longer the shelf life of the concentrate.

Recommend purchasing Pyrocat-HD concentrate formulated in glycol instead of in water.

When making the working solution, mix the concentrate with water, and use it as soon as possible.

[C. D. Keth]

I have never used the MC variant but I have been very happy with pyrocat-hd. I rate delta 100 at 80-iso and develop it for 11 minutes at 70F in BTZS tubes. I also liked foma 200 rated at 100-iso and developed the same way at the same temperature for 7 minutes. If you don't have it already, The Book of Pyro is very helpful in understanding, 100%, what is going on. It also have some handy tables regarding expansion and contraction development and reciprocity.

[stradibarrius]

Which glycol??? Photographers Formulary has several types of glycol.

[Mark Barendt]

http://stores.photoformulary.com/-st...col/Detail.bok

[stradibarrius]

I understand Pyrocat HD in Glycol but my question is which type of glycol, dieythylene, propylene, polyethylene? does it make any difference?