Re: [Leica] Re: Pyro from off list kinda long

[Alan Brown <abrown@ncsi.net>]

>At 11:40 AM 17/08/99 -0700, you wrote:
>>Giorgio Ferrari wrote:
>>[cut]
>>So he would be the one to ask. abrown@ncsi.net
>>I replyed to him:
>>
>>I recall it saying in the Anchell/Troop book that the Pyro world does not
>>involve full film speed.
>
>   Usually, but not always ...
>I'm back on the list after a wonderful summer.  Shot lots of stock and did
>some commercial work.  (That's a vacation from the run-of-the-mill work
>world for me.  I'm somewhat envious of those of you who get to do that full
>time, but I have gotten used to a salary.)  I'm picking this up in the
>middle of this thread, so perhaps I might have missed something, so my
>apologies if my comments have already been addressed.
>   I am currently working quite a bit with PMK pyro, and have been able to
>keep its speed up by adding a pinch of amidol to the working strength
>developer just prior to processing.  (A pinch on the end of a scoopula.)
>Amidol oxidizes very rapidly, so it has to be added immediately before
>processing, and not to the stock.  HP5+ gives me 400, FP4+ is at 125 and
>agfa APX 25 (all shot in 120 if it matters) come out well rated at 25.  No
>speed loss, with all of the other pyro character.
>   I think I remember reading somewhere that Edward Weston used to add
>dissolved amidol to his ABC pyro as well, just before tray processing sheet
>film.  It really does help to keep the film speed up.
>
>
>
>
> _
>[o] -GH

Hi George,

Thanks for the amidol info.  I've never tried it, but it sounds great.  I
would love to be able to shoot my film at the manufacturers' ratings.  You
said to use a pinch of amidol--does the amount really matter much?  Can we
be that casual?

PMK is available in 50 liter form from Photographer's Formulary,
www.photoformulary.com.  The Cat. No. is 01.5060 and the price is $25 plus
shipping.  This is the Gordon Hutchings formula.  The Formulary also sells
his book on pyro.  Worth having if you really get into pyro.

Alan