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- Aug 29, 2020
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Having now had time to explore Pyrocat-HD in a variety of ways (N, N-1, N+1, Semistand, Stand) I beg the group's indulgence as I once again make myself a pest.
Keep in mind that I write this in the context of having developed LOT of film in D-76, DK-50, HC-110 Dil. B, and PMK Pyro. In all cases, we're talking about open tank hanger processing. My initial foray with Pyrocat-HD has been almost entirely with Agfapan APX 100.
Observations:
Open Questions (things I am still exploring):
I like making pictures more than I like looking at a densitometer, so any helpful input from you all will be much appreciated.
Keep in mind that I write this in the context of having developed LOT of film in D-76, DK-50, HC-110 Dil. B, and PMK Pyro. In all cases, we're talking about open tank hanger processing. My initial foray with Pyrocat-HD has been almost entirely with Agfapan APX 100.
Observations:
- Claim: Pyrocat-HD gives you less visible grain. Agree, it is like PMK in that regard.
- Claim: Pyrocat-HDis less fussy about agitation and oxidative effects than PMK. Agree.
- Claim: Pyrocat-HD gives you nice edge effects. Unclear. It's not evident with APX 100. Even the few Tri-X sheets I did semi-stand did not show this, certainly not by comparison to what I get with PMK.
- Claim: Pyrocat-HD gives you better film speed than PMK. A qualified "maybe" in my case. I am still testing.
- Claim: Pyrocat-HD is cost effective. 100% true. I bought the necessary chemistry to roll my own and it's dirt cheap.
Open Questions (things I am still exploring):
- Over what range of contraction and expansion will Pyrocat-HD work well +-2, +-3, +-4?
- Why bother with stand or semi-stand? With APX 100, I did not see the claimed edge effects. I had hoped for more visible mid-range tonal separation, but that seemed only to occur with very long stand time with some repeated agitations.
- What is the best way to increase/decrease local contrast with this developer. I realize that part of this lies with changing paper grade/filtration, but how is Pyrocat-HD best used to augment this?
- Has anyone tried Kachel's SLIMT techniques with Pyrocat-HD based development?
- What exactly is going on with Pyrocat-HD stand and semi-stand in terms of overall and local tonal range? In theory, the highlights should develop to the completion possible with the developer exhausting because of their rapid inductions times. The shadows should continue to develop for the entire stand time (lower induction rate), thereby providing greater effective film speed. BUT, does the extra stain buildup mean we are also getting more highlight compensation? What does this do to local contrast and overall negative scale?
- What is the optimal frequency of agitation during stand or semi-stand processing? I found no noteworthy differences (so far) between 1, 2, or 3 agitations but I may have missed it. NO agitation after the initial one did show some bromide drag on the hangered negatives.
- Has anyone tried stand or semi-stand with PMK as a point of comparison?
- How do I manage the scene SBR to maximize usable negative scale?
- How do I command desired local contrast in the key areas of the scene?
I like making pictures more than I like looking at a densitometer, so any helpful input from you all will be much appreciated.
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