Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/07/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]To me a slight problem with coming up with a split D23 is that you can't take the alkali out of a formula if there is not one already in it to begin with! D23 uses the weak alkaline properties of sulfite as an alkali activator. I'd say it melted you silver right off the film before it had a chance to activate it at 100 grms per liter. It is mainly a preservative in which we are very aware for that fact that it is a silver solvent which will effect your grain proportionally. For years i did a D23 in which I used 30 grams of sulfite and 2 or 3 of Metol. My development times long enought that I felt like i was water bathing as how long was the stuff in there when the developing action reduced to practically NOTHING anyay? Water bathing or alkali bathing seemed redundant. A split D23 is saying you want to soak your film in relatively inert Metol (enough sulfite to preserve and prevent fog but not crate a not very alkali solution) and then when the film is filled with that single developing agent: to turbo charge it out of there in an alkali solution. There are better alkalies than sulfite. The first obvious choice for a real alkali is soft working fog resistant BORAX which was first used in D76 I think. So I'd put my film for 8 minutes in a solution of 5 grms of Metol and 20 sulfite agitate once a minute or have it in a Jobo it would not make much difference we're just inundating our film in as inert as possible Metol. Then it's put it in solution of say 30 grams/liter of Borax. Or 15 Kodalk. (metaborate) Or 8 carbonate. They used to tell you to lower it in slowly and not agitate. The Diafine people at least said that. Now Anchell says you can agatate continuously and this is perfect for a Jobo! So it apparently doesn't matter WHAT you do in the agitation department in split development! Anchell seems to want you to also put sulfite in the second bath which sounds like a good idea for less foggy looking negs. Mark Rabiner a foggy day..... in tri x town...... Portland, Oregon USA http://www.rabiner.cncoffice.com/