Steve Shapiro (sgshiya@redshift.com)
Sun, 23 May 1999 23:38:30 -0700
Having followed what Mr. King posted without my own research, I apologise to
the list and having read the two books again, apologise to the authors
mentioned below.
The FX 2 formula listed on page 127 of the Film Developing Cookbook may have
an error in the amount listed for working solution. In my Formulary
instructions, it clearly states Sol A plus Sol B at equal porportions plus
3.5 ml Sol C or Pk Yellow for the working solution.
On page 59 of the FD Cookbook there is only a comparison of the ingredients,
not the formula. In the DR Cookbook, there is NO formula for FX 2.
Now, I'm puzzled about what in the Formulary ratios makes for such great
negatives, if the porportions are actually stronger than the formula
published in the FD Cookbook.
While I'm waiting for the facts, I offer prints from the negatives;
shamelessly I direct you to the Photography Gallery West in Carmel, or Sarah
at Weston Gallery or Karen at Gallery Sur. In the meantime, I'm in the dark
hoping not to fog any negatives while blushing badly for again I write that
I apologise.
S. Shapiro, Carmel, CA
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Shapiro <sgshiya@redshift.com>
To: <alt-photo-process-l@skyway.usask.ca>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 1999 9:24 PM
Subject: Re: Question about FX-2
> Subject: Re: Question about FX-2
> The close reading of both volumes shows there are two formulas for 1 liter
> in the DR Cookbook versus the Film Developing Cookbook.
>
> First, you mix two solutions that can be stored, seperately with pk yellow
> as a third solution; thusly storage in Sol A, Sol B and Sol C. It is in
the
> DR Cookbook and the kit sold by the Photographers' Formulary that I have
> been using all weekend and for several months, now; and with supberb
> results.
>
> I mix 50ml Sol A with 50 ml Sol B and 3.5 ml Pk Yellow; actually I didn't
> notice the double of that and same PK Yellow was in the Film Developing
> Cookbook. I wouldn't recommend that formula.
>
> So, we're talking about two formulas, and the discussions about diluting
it
> for extended developing times and all that seem silly to me, too; because
> the DR Cookbook formula, which is the same sold by Ph. Formulary works
very,
> very well.
>
> I have found several things, now in the Film Developing Cookbook that are
> causing bad results; a 'new' way of agitating and extending development
> times caused me to ruin some negs. They make no attempt to explain how to
> recover from some of th emost common mistakes, errors from their advice
that
> has taken ME through many offices, now and much inquirery. Bleach and
> redevelopment formulas, the understanding about swelled grain from
> development extended too long; and a load of film development lore sorely
> missed by following this book alone as though it were the Darkroom
Cookbook
> that has -- by comparision -- proven to be well written without flaw.
>
> In the end, I have still found Edwall FG 7 to be the most faithful,
economic
> and offering consistent results with a bonus of being consistent in
various
> temperatures, changes without notice in results. I still don't know how
it
> behaves in the Jobo, though.
>
> In the end, I am having a ball with this FX 2 that remains true to the
> description and if for no other reason will probably remain using it
because
> at thispoint, I can count on ultra fine results.
>
> Steve Shapiro, Carmel, CA
>
> It is my pleasure to help alleviateany frustration in choosing a film
> developer, as I was helped when I found this FX 2 in the books, too.
>
> > The Film Developing Cookbook contains a working formula for 1 liter (p.
> 59)
> > and a concentrate formula for stock solutions. (p. 127). The stock
> solution
> > formula in the FDC is apparently different from the original Crawley
> > formula, which was much more concentrated (see earlier message from
> Richard
> > Knoppow). And a slightly different version of the formula was given by
> > Anchell in Camera and Darkroom (July 1995).
> >
> > Sandy King
> >
> >
> >
> > >Is the FX-2 formula in the Film Development Cookbook a concentrate? I
> > >thought it was a working solution. Also, I don't believe any
developing
> > >times were given in that book for FX2 with Tri-X or T-Max 400. Does
> anyone
> > >have any suggestions?
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >From: Richard Knoppow <dickburk@ix.netcom.com>
> > >To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
<alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca>
> > >Date: Sunday, May 23, 1999 3:59 AM
> > >Subject: Re: Question about FX-2
> > >
> > >
> > >>At 03:30 PM 5/21/99 -0500, you wrote:
> > >>>Does any one on the list use Crawley FX-2 developer? If so I would
> > >>>appreciate your comments about its qualities.
> > >>>
> > >>>In The Film Developer Cookbook the directions to mix FX-2 call for
the
> use
> > >>>of potassium carbonate crystals, not anhydrous (the crystal form is
> said
> > >to
> > >>>give a slight bicarbonate buffer effect). What does this mean, and
how
> > >>>might the same effect be gotten with the anhydrous variety?
> > >>>
> > >>>Sandy King
> > >>>
> > >> The original FX-2 formula is for a highly concentrated stock
solution
> and
> > >>I think the preference for both the Potassium salt and the crystaline
> form
> > >>stem from their greater soluability.
> > >> In a developer the carbonate slowly hydrolizes to produce both the
> > >>hydroxide, which is the actual accellerator, and bicarbonate. Because
of
> > >>the large resevoir of hydroxide in the carbonate it act as a good
buffer
> > >>and the pH of the solution tends to remain constant
> > >> Sodium carbonate is usually preferred over the potassium salt
because
> it
> > >>is not delequescent. Potassium carbonate is very delequescent so must
be
> > >>stored very carefully to prevent moisture absorption and consequent
loss
> of
> > >>strength.
> > >> Again it is this very quality which makes potassium crystals
desirable
> > >>for highly concentrated developers like FX-2.
> > >>----
> > >>Richard Knoppow
> > >>Los Angeles,Ca.
> > >>dickburk@ix.netcom.com
> > >>
> >
> >
> >
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b3 on Thu Oct 28 1999 - 21:39:35