Re: [Leica] B&W revisited

[Kip Babington <cbabing3@swbell.net>]

RBedw51767@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Bob:
> 
> I purchased some PMG but haven't had the guts to try it yet.  I have read the
> PYRO book but not sure that I understand everything yet.  How difficult is it?
> 
If, as I assume, you're referring to PMK developer, it's not at all
difficult to use, just a bit different from "traditional" processing
with, e.g., XTOL.  I've been using it for most of this year with Delta
400 and have come to love it, but it did take a bit of thinking for the
first few developing sessions.  I use the liquid A & B solutions from
Photographers' Formulary to make working developer, and bought the
syringes they offer, which makes it very simple to measure accurately
the small quantities of stock needed to make working solution.  The
syringes also keep your hands well away from the stock solutions.  I
don't wear gloves, because you just don't get near the concentrated
liquids.  I've also read that, for tank processing, you don't really
need to be concerned about getting a drop or two of the working solution
on your hands, because you can just rinse it off.  I think you really
need gloves only if you're processing sheets in trays, where your hands
are in the developer more or less constantly.

The differences I noticed from traditional developing were the lack of
temperature sensitivity - just correct your time for temperature other
than 70 degrees (4 percent per degree);  agitation is 2 inversions/15
seconds, which really ties you to the tank during the developer stage,
and for me encourages higher developing temperatures;  you must SAVE THE
DEVELOPER after the first stage, for later use;  you use water instead
of acid stop bath - if using large multi-reel tanks this means having
pitchers of water available, as filling from the tap may take too long; 
after fixing you refill the tank with the used developer for 2 minutes
(easy if you saved it);  and finally, you can't use hypo clear, so you
have to wash for a while.

Once you've done it a few times it will seem normal.  And the negatives
make absolutely beautiful prints.  So I'd encourage you to screw up your
courage and give it a try.

Cheers,
Kip