Prescysol EF tips ?

[mfogiel]

I've started developing my B&W film at home recently, and I've just tried Prescysol EF. Although the negs came out a bit thin ( I think the temperature has come down a bit too much during processing), the tonality is great, the grain is unbelievably small and the sharpness is ok. Here's an example from the first roll of Neopan 400:

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2223615908&size=l

However, I have several questions that I'd like answered and I am tapping your experience:
- the instructions recommend 3ml+3ml+300ml per roll of 35mm film, but my smallest SS tank is only 450ml for 2 rolls - should I apply 4.5+4.5+450 or 6+6+450 ?
- the temperature in the house is currently ard 20°C, so how do you keep it stable during the development - do you dip it into warmer water for the semi stand processing, and if so, does it matter if it is not totally steady?

- have you any preferred agitation scheme for the semi stand processing ?

- I have used a neutral fix - couldn't find the alkaline one, and the stain appears very bland, do you use an alkaline fix, and if so, is there one easily available on the market in Europe?
- do you have experience with films like Tri-X and HP5+ - do they come out ok if exposed at box speed, and is the grain/tonality any good?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Marek

 

[dmdctusa]

I just developed my first rolls of Tri-X and HP5+ with Prescyol EF....so I am far from an expert. My first results exceeded my expectation and I liked the results with Tri-X better at this stage. Both were rated at iso 400. My scans (Nikon Coolscan 4000) were excellent and I was able to print with only my normal sharpening adjustment.

As to the mixing ratio, 1+1+300, i.e. 3ml A+3mil B+300ml distilled water, for your 450ml tank, the ration would be 1.5ml A + 1.5ml B + 450ml water.

As to agitation I use a gentle inversion of about 2.5-3 seconds per cycle.

In my first rolls, all with the semi stand method, I used the suggested 10.5 minutes cycle:
full first 1 minute of agitation followed by 2 cycles of 3 min of stand with 10 sec of agitation, the last stand cycle comes out at 3min 10sec which the instructions say is OK.

Today, I am processing another roll or two of Tri-X.

David

 

[Jonathan]

Hi Marek,
I use this developer a lot. Check your temperature, I'm sure the recommended temp.is 24 degrees C. When I do stand processing I let the tank rest in a bowl of water at the same temp. and use a cheapo aquarium thermometer to monitor & adjust as necessary.
Hope this helps.