From: Gary Miller (gmphotos@earthlink.net)
Date: 03/12/01-12:14:08 PM Z
The best test for a pyro negative as to whether it will print well in Pt/Pd
comes from Sullivan and Weese's book. They recommend printing the pyro
negative with a grade zero filter on VC paper. If the print looks good,
then your pyro development is good and the contrast for Pt/Pd would be fine.
I have used this test to find my optimum Normal development time. I have
also made wonderful silver prints from these negatives, usually using a #2
filter or a # 2 1/2 filter if I make a larger print. What you are
describing sounds like your negatives are either not being developed long
enough, hence low contrast, or your ISO setting is underexposing your
negatives, or both. It is very difficult to judge overall contrast on a
pyro negative. They always look more contrasty than what you might expect
for a normally developed negative. Try the printing test to see if your
film development time is off. I am sure that Carl will chime in here and
give you some more technical tips and tricks. I use pyro a lot, but I
definitely defer to his knowledge and the knowledge of others on how to fine
tune the process. Since my process has worked successfully from the start I
have not really strayed much into the more technical realm. I have used
Bergger 200 film rated at 100 and developed in Jobo tanks with Rollo Pyro
for 8 1/4 mins. I have also had good results with Tri X rated at 200 and
developed the same way. I am using a motor base for agitation, not the
official Jobo processing unit. I use this time for both 4x5 and 8x10
negatives and they have been beautiful, well stained, and fully cleared of
the anti-hallation dye layer.
Gary Miller
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