Re: Pyro

dmilton@csus.edu
Tue, 13 Jan 1998 11:41:10 -0700

Hi Don!

I will have to respectfully disagree...
I get nothing but stellar results from Pyro with TMAX in or out of a JOBO. I
have been fortunate that Pyro was my first and is now my only developer, and
the person who taught me was Gordon's buddy Ralph Talbert. With Ralph's help,
even my first roll and first sheet was perfect!

In fact, I believe the only developer for TMAX is Pyro (or D76). I use EDTA,
presoak 5 minutes (or more), use even agitation (about 8 turns per minute), and
keep the JOBO tank in a water bath to help with temp control. I have found
that if you don't increase the presoak times, there is an increased risk of
streaking when the Pyro is first poured into the tank.

My theory is that less than 5 minute presoak doesn't puff up the emulsion
enough. Here's a visual. Pour water down a dry chalkboard. The water flows
unevenly. Now, pour water down a wet chalkboard. The water is distributed
better, more evenly.

David P. Milton

Don Bryant wrote:

> Harold,
>
> The solution for processing TMAX in a drum processor with PMK pyro is to not
> process this film in PMK in a drum. You will never getting proper staining
> with this processing method with TMAX film.
>