[pure-silver] Re: Development modifications for higher sharpness


clip...
Perhaps "energetic" would be better than high energy.  But still
somewhat vague.

I have seen the following statements concerning the addition of iodide
to the Beutler formula.

1. Addition of iodide can emphasize flare and lens aberations.
2. Not needed for modern emulsions.
3. Never did anything anyway.  The amount has been described as being
homeopathic.  (I particularly liked that comment about homeopathy, ie,
quack medicine.)
...........

I think I am the one who introduced the term "low energy" and I picked that up 
somewhere a long time ago and I only mean that the developer is very weak at 
the recommended dilution and it only uses one developing agent.  

Years ago I used this developer as my standard developer when I was a sharpness 
freak and when I admired the edge effect especially with a black subject on a 
grey background.  I found that the Potassium iodide did indeed help to create 
that, even though the amount of the iodide is very very minute. My film then 
was 4X5 Agfa 25.

As far as Richard's point of it being the illusion of sharpness due to edge 
contrast,rather than actual accutance, I would say he is probably right having 
shown himself to be extremely knowledgable about everything photographic.  

Now that my eyes have lost their edge I am more concerned with trying to find 
the right film developer paper combo that will give me a beautifully long 
scale.  I have a hard time not printing contrastier than I would like with my 
current method of ACROS/TMY/APX100 in XTOL on ilford WTFB.  I am going to give 
pyro another go.
Dennis Purdy
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