[pure-silver] Re: PYRO Processing Questions
- From: Eric Nelson <emanmb@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:25:19 -0800 (PST)
I remember years ago that reel/film combo was not recommended for PMK.
Eric
Speedy
When I went through a phase where I was experimenting with Pyro, I tried
several different development methods. My normal methodology is to use a Jobo
with the 2509 reels (4x5 negs). Pyro oxidizes very rapidly - which is why you
do the mixing right before using it, and the violent agitation of the Jobo
doesn't help matters. I got my best results when I mixed a small amount of
EDTA with the developer, although still I struggled with getting consistent
results.
The best results that I got with Pyro where when I was developing in trays.
--- On Fri, 11/21/08, Speedy <speedgraphic@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
From: Speedy <speedgraphic@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [pure-silver] PYRO Processing Questions
To: pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Friday, November 21, 2008, 10:51 AM
I am interested in trying Pyro.
I commonly develop my negatives on a Jobo processor.
How does Pyro do with this type of agitation?
As a starting point - how would development time
need to be adjusted for rotary agitation?
THANKS!
Speedy
----------------------------
> From: bobkiss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> To: pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [pure-silver] Re: Learning from Printing (was Difference in Paper
> Processing Speed)
> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:38:50 -0400
>
> DEAR ELIAS,
> Yes, pyro is toxic but anyone who thinks that they can stick their
> hands into "normal" processing chemistry (MQ developers, fixer, toners) is
> living in never-never land.
> You should ALWAYS use gloves when processing. I spend years
> chelating both metal ions and phenols (the basis of most developing agents)
> out of my liver because some foolish photo instructors in the late 60s and
> early 70s said that "you are not a real photographer unless you put your
> hands in the tanks/trays".
> You can buy PMK from Photographer's Formulary. Just mix according
> to directions. Easier than most cookbook recipes.
> There is an ENORMOUS difference in acutance between PMK and any
> ascorbic acid developer such as Xtol. Further, PMK seems to do the
> impossible; it combines acutance with fine grain. The acutance is due to
> both the edge effects produced by the dilute metol developer and the tanning
> of the emulsion (differential thickness related to density) produced by the
> pyro development. The fine grain is due to the fact that the stain image
> produced by the pyro is effectively grainless and the very gentle silver
> development due to the dilute metol development produces fine silver grains
> as well.
> I have tried Xtol and it pales in comparison with the shadow
> separation, highlight range, and acutance produced in the films I mentioned
> (T-max 400, HP5, FP4, FUJI ACROS all in 2 1/4, 4X5 and 8X10) processed in
> PMK.
> Pyro is both toxic and carcinogenic "in sufficient quantities",
> quoting THE BOOK OF PYRO by Gordon Hutchins. The developer solution uses 10
> ml of the pyro solution in one liter (1000ml) so is VERY dilute. Just wear
> gloves.
> Because I want to be able to print my negatives both in
> silver-gelatin and platinum/palladium, pyro developers are perfect. I
> regularly make 16X20 silver-gelatin prints (often significantly cropped)
> from my 'Blad 2 1/4 square T-max 400 or HP-5 negs. I love them. I have
> found no dev that rivals the combination of fine grain, dynamic range
> (ability to capture scene brightness range), and acutance.
> If you are worried about the toxicity try Pyrocat HD which uses
> pyrocatichol (sp?) which is much less toxic than pyrogallol in PMK. PYROCAT
> HD is also available from Photographer's Formulary.
> CHEERS
> BOB
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pure-silver-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:pure-silver-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dennis Purdy
> Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 6:25 PM
> To: pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [pure-silver] Re: Learning from Printing (was Difference in Paper
> Processing Speed)
>
>
> On Nov 19, 2008, at 13:11, Sauerwald Mark wrote:
>
> > In my experience, there are few people who have tried pyro and don't
> > have a strong opinion on it, although I am one of those few. Many of
> > it's adherants are religious in their praise of the wonder developer.
> > I went through a phase where I experimented with it, and managed to
> > get some good images, but ended up going back to my old standby of
> > HC-110. I may dabble in Pyro again in the future, but I found it
> > difficult to get results which were as consistent with Pyro as I get
> > with HC-110.
>
> My experience is the same as Mark's in that I have been swayed several
> times (at least 5) to give it a try and have processed a lot of both
> 120 roll film and sheet film and am unable to identify what is special
> about it. Maybe it depends on the film you use or the light source you
> print with. I have tried it on 8x10 film and printed it in platinum as
> well and see no reason to work with the nasty stuff. Most recently I
> processed about 15 rolls of 120 ACROS in PMK and found it printed just
> fine, kind of like if I processed it in Xtol.
> Dennis
>
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