I mix my own D-23 and its replenisher, DK-25R. When I get my enlarger running again, I plan to mix D-72 -- people can say all they want about hydroquinone and ascorbate being better, but hydroquinone never failed without warning because all the ascorbate was eaten up by a trace of iron or copper in the water or one of the component chemicals. Not to mention I learned to use Dektol in 1969 and I've got everything I need to make D-72 already in my darkroom. Also, don't forget D-72, like commercial Dektol, is a universal developer: same developer at different dilutions can be used for film as well as prints. And if you have what you need to make D-72, you can also make the homebrew version of Selectol Soft (though that's less of a concern with modern multigrade papers and filtration control of contrast).
I've been mixing my own Developers for quite a while and it's less wasteful. I use d76 at 1+1 for my black and white film, when I get ready to print I will make d72. I learned quite a while ago that you save quite a bit of money once you get set up, I actually have a lot of fun making the Developers :)
FWIW, I always heard you should add a pinch of Sodium Sulfite to the water before adding the Metol. Not sure exactly what this does--something about the oxygen in the water affecting the Metol?--but, that's the way I've done it for many years with all formulas involving Metol and Sodium Sulfite.
Great tip! You can definitely do this. In practice not sure it makes any difference. If you mix in the Metol and let it sit you can watch it start to (oxidize - I believe) it will turn yellow and then brown. The sulfite is a preservative and counteracts this process. so as soon as you add the sulfite the color goes away. I typically mix the chemicals pretty fast and do not worry about it at all. But adding a pinch of sulfite (not too much) will prevent this reaction from taking place. Again not sure you will ever notice a real-world performance/longevity difference but will not hurt. Some people do do this and recommend 👍🏻
@@Distphoto So I did the rodinal a test on a 5x7 sheet of fomaspeed variant 311. Just for proof of concept. As I setup the picture and developed with fomatol lqn. I know what works for the paper timing etc. Now instead of fomatol lqn, I used 1:25 fomatol R09 rodinal and took the same developing time. And it works. It gives a slight sepia tone to the paper and also I think the grain is a bit more pronounced? But it was fun for an experiment, I’m not an expert by any means but I do like to thinker and experiment. Have fun! Thanks for sharing the idea. Greets JD.
Hidroquinone-based based developers are very effective but for health reasons I prefer vitamin C-based brews like Neutol or Eukobrom AC. Xtol or XT3 are the film equivalents.
what kind of health reasons are you talking about? I was of the understanding that the developer is a safe chemical to use, even can use it without gloves on.
I do know some people have reactions to it. I have never had any issues and try not to bath in it to much as to not build an allergy. Thanks for the input!
@@orion7741 If you read the label, hydroquinone is a risky substance. Of course, many other chemical substances in our daily lives are equally risky. Since I am a darkroom regular, I try to lower the risk by going for safer options. I am not saying that this guarantees anything, it’s jus a choice. Hq is a very effective substance in developers and in my experience more stable and long lasting than the milder stuff.
@@orion7741 The only real issue I know of is that over time you can build an allergy to it and get rashes on your hands. Seems to affect some more and others not at all. I have had my hands in A LOT of Dektol and never experienced any such reaction. I do now try to limit my skin exposure but often still get in there ( I’m weird and love the feel of the chemicals 🙃) Overall I believe it is really safe to use. I do recommend ventilation to refresh the air for many reasons
I mix my own D-23 and its replenisher, DK-25R. When I get my enlarger running again, I plan to mix D-72 -- people can say all they want about hydroquinone and ascorbate being better, but hydroquinone never failed without warning because all the ascorbate was eaten up by a trace of iron or copper in the water or one of the component chemicals. Not to mention I learned to use Dektol in 1969 and I've got everything I need to make D-72 already in my darkroom.
Also, don't forget D-72, like commercial Dektol, is a universal developer: same developer at different dilutions can be used for film as well as prints. And if you have what you need to make D-72, you can also make the homebrew version of Selectol Soft (though that's less of a concern with modern multigrade papers and filtration control of contrast).
Thanks for the input! I agree 100%. Some of the most iconic prints ever made were made with Dektol & or Selectol Soft!
@@Distphotothat’s interesting who was franks printer kaplan
I've leaned so much from this channel!! Thank you so much
Awesome to hear! Your welcome!
I've been mixing my own Developers for quite a while and it's less wasteful. I use d76 at 1+1 for my black and white film, when I get ready to print I will make d72. I learned quite a while ago that you save quite a bit of money once you get set up, I actually have a lot of fun making the Developers :)
Same boat 👍. Once you have the “stuff” saves a lot of money
Can this be frozen for longer storage?
I have never tried... I imagine it would work though.
Would prob avoid the glass bottles...
FWIW, I always heard you should add a pinch of Sodium Sulfite to the water before adding the Metol. Not sure exactly what this does--something about the oxygen in the water affecting the Metol?--but, that's the way I've done it for many years with all formulas involving Metol and Sodium Sulfite.
Great tip! You can definitely do this. In practice not sure it makes any difference.
If you mix in the Metol and let it sit you can watch it start to (oxidize - I believe) it will turn yellow and then brown.
The sulfite is a preservative and counteracts this process. so as soon as you add the sulfite the color goes away.
I typically mix the chemicals pretty fast and do not worry about it at all.
But adding a pinch of sulfite (not too much) will prevent this reaction from taking place.
Again not sure you will ever notice a real-world performance/longevity difference but will not hurt. Some people do do this and recommend 👍🏻
High , can you use sodium carbonate anhydrous instead of the monohydrate version thanks
Yes of course the weight just changes 👍
Thank you
To convert one to the other simply multiply or divide by 17% (aprox) but works well for most formulas
Thank you that’s really useful 📷
Why didn’t I find this first.
Also, question. Can we use R09/ordinal to develop B&W paper?
I am sure you probably can... however not sure of the results and never tried it my self...
@@Distphoto
🤔 well that’s an experiment on its own.
I might try it just for the funz.
please let me know how it goes!@@pd1jdw630
@@Distphoto I’ll keep you posted.
@@Distphoto
So I did the rodinal a test on a 5x7 sheet of fomaspeed variant 311. Just for proof of concept.
As I setup the picture and developed with fomatol lqn. I know what works for the paper timing etc.
Now instead of fomatol lqn, I used 1:25 fomatol R09 rodinal and took the same developing time.
And it works. It gives a slight sepia tone to the paper and also I think the grain is a bit more pronounced?
But it was fun for an experiment,
I’m not an expert by any means but I do like to thinker and experiment.
Have fun! Thanks for sharing the idea.
Greets JD.
Hidroquinone-based based developers are very effective but for health reasons I prefer vitamin C-based brews like Neutol or Eukobrom AC. Xtol or XT3 are the film equivalents.
what kind of health reasons are you talking about? I was of the understanding that the developer is a safe chemical to use, even can use it without gloves on.
I do know some people have reactions to it. I have never had any issues and try not to bath in it to much as to not build an allergy. Thanks for the input!
@@orion7741 If you read the label, hydroquinone is a risky substance. Of course, many other chemical substances in our daily lives are equally risky. Since I am a darkroom regular, I try to lower the risk by going for safer options. I am not saying that this guarantees anything, it’s jus a choice. Hq is a very effective substance in developers and in my experience more stable and long lasting than the milder stuff.
@@Distphoto That’s reasonable and the stuff has been around for a very long time.
@@orion7741 The only real issue I know of is that over time you can build an allergy to it and get rashes on your hands.
Seems to affect some more and others not at all.
I have had my hands in A LOT of Dektol and never experienced any such reaction.
I do now try to limit my skin exposure but often still get in there ( I’m weird and love the feel of the chemicals 🙃)
Overall I believe it is really safe to use. I do recommend ventilation to refresh the air for many reasons
haha i bought this when i first started to develop i still have some 5 years later 😂😂 it was mistake it was cheaper then
One of my favorites