Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/01/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Good morning, John: I have not been a believer in Hypo Clear as it is just one more chemical to do mischief. The following is my technique for processing Tech Pan including the Ilford washing procedure: PROCESSING OF KODAK TECH PAN FILM (35MM AND 120) A. Developer 1. Use TEC compensating developer - it is a very simple developer that is as easy to use as D-76. 2. Add one ounce (1 oz.) TEC concentrate plus thirty ounces (30 oz.) distilled water. 3. Bring diluted developer to seventy degrees Fahrenheit. (70 °F). Bring all solutions including wash water to the same temperature or within one degree. Be sure to use a good process thermometer that is accurate to 1/4 degree Fahrenheit. 4. Set the timer for eight (8) minutes. 5. Pour only enough developer into Nikor type stainless steel tank to cover one reel of film. Have second film reel with no film on it to use as a filler to prevent the single reel containing the film from plunging up and down as the tank is inverted. Idea is to use only enough developer to cover the film on one reel which will be placed at bottom of tank, then when tank is inverted, the developer will completely uncover the film and then completely cover the film when the tank is turned upright. In this manner, you should receive much more uniform agitation and avoid the streaks created by the sprocket holes along the edges of the 35mm film. B. Wind film on Nikor type stainless steel reel, slip the reel containing the film over the stainless steel lift rod so it is on the bottom and then the empty reel over the rod second. Carefully lower the two reels into the developer tank, turn on the clock, and cap the tank. C. Agitation 1. Method of agitation. The proper agitation is the inversion method and that is performed by holding the tank between the thumb and second finger so when you turn your wrist over the tank is turned upside down, and then when the wrist is rotated back to its starting point, the tank will be upright. A single cycle of turning the tank upside down and then upright should take approximately two (2) seconds. 2. Initial Agitation -- agitate the tank nine (9) times and set the tank in the tempering vessel. Be careful to hold the tank so the water in the tempering bath does not cause the tank to rock from the ripples created when the tank was returned to the bath. If the tank rocks, the film-developer will be agitated which results in over-development and unwanted contrast. 3. Agitate Once Each Minute After Initial Agitation -- When the timer shows the end of the first minute or the start of the next minute, agitate the tank twice. D. Film Rinse and Fixer - DO NOT USE A HARDENING FIXER 1. After agitating the film tank for the last time which is at the beginning of the last minute, remove the cap and lid, get ready to remove the two reels from the developer tank; then with ten (10) seconds before the end of the development period, lift the reels from the tank to drain the developer. 2. Slip the reels into a tank of rinse water the same temperature as the developer, and move the reels up and down gently for twenty (20) seconds, then drain for ten (10) seconds. 3. Slip the reels in the rapid fixer and gently move the reels up and down gently for the first thirty (30) seconds, let rest for thirty (30) seconds, move the reels up and for twenty (20) seconds and then raise the reels from the fixer to drain for ten (10) seconds. E. Film Wash The Ilford archival procedure saves time and water. Only three (3) changes of wash water is necessary, so have prepared enough wash water to fill your tank three times and the water must be within one degree Fahrenheit of the fixer. The follow this procedure: Ilford says "This method of washing is faster, uses less water yet still gives negatives of archival permanence." 1. Fix it using Ilford Universal Rapid fixer. 2. After fixing, fill the tank with water at the same temperature as the processing solutions, and invert it five times. 3. Drain the water away and refill. Invert the tank ten times. 4. Drain and refill it for the third time and invert the tank twenty times. Drain the water away. F. Anti-Static Rinse Thirty (30) seconds in ECCO 121 to reduce static and allow water to run off cleanly This procedure provides me with a negative having a Contrast Index of approximately .52 that prints nicely on Ilford Multigrade IV with number 2 filter. It allows me to shoot Tech Pan at an honest E.I. of 40 and you may fudge to 80 or 100 depending upon the amount of shadow detail you feel you may do without. I would welcome any comments that will improve this procedure. E-mail DonjR43198@aol.com On Tue, 08 Jan 2002 00:32:01 -0600, you wrote: >Well I just developed my first roll of B&W in 8 years....hope I didn't mess >it up... > >I don't have any Hypo Clear so what's my wash time? I have a 2 reel >stainless tank with water running through it at a medium speed in the >sink...30 min??? > >Thanks In Adv... >-- >John >Chicago, IL >http://SlideOne.com >==================== - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html