Ilford Delta 100 in Pyrocat HD, What went wronq?

[scottyb70]

Hi,

I noticed this problem with all my clear skies when I developed Ilford 100 in Pyrocat HD.

Here is the info:

• Mamiya 7 with 43mm lens
• Delta 100 developed in Pyrocat HD @ 75 F
• Mixed 20 ml Part A to 400 ml distilled water
• Mixed 20 ml Part B to 400 ml distilled water
• Presoak 3 min at slow speed on Jobo CPE2 with 2521 drum on reel
• Used Part A w/drop of Photoflo for 5 min
• Used Part B for 5 mins
• 1/2 strength Kodak Stop for 1 min
• Fix 5 mins with Photo Forumlary TF-4
• Wash 10 mins @ 73 degrees +-

Thanks for any help.

Scott

 

[jordanstarr]

....if this only happens with pyro, consider the unique properties of the developer and see if there's a solution there. I've had this same thing happen more with pyro than any other developer. I was told that it "takes" more uneven with the stain and needs more time to fix as well. A very nice developer, but it was too unstable for me and many of my negatives had to be re-fixed and re-washed over the years, so I dropped it. You may have to do the same if this is happening in "all your clear skies". I don't think there's a magic bullet answer to save you on this one, but you could start maybe by only using pyro and the other chemicals in distilled water, pre-soak more to ensure ALL the dye is gone (dump and refill with fresh to make sure it drains clear), change your agitation method to promote more even development (or get it out of the Jobo) and fix and wash at least twice as long.

When I was using pyro, my method was this:
1. same pyro mixture, load up to 3 rolls of 120 in paterson tanks and reels - presoak until dye is totally out (may need a couple 3 minute soaks with new water in between)
2. agitate for first 45 seconds, then 30 seconds for every 2 minutes with a swirl method and also inverting tank 3 times, ending with a couple more swirls.
3. stop bath or just water
4. ilford fixer for 10 minutes.
5. wash for 20-30 minutes.

Hope this helps.

 

[mfogiel]

How did you agitate? This looks like streaking from insufficient agitation. BTW, I thought that Pyrocat was NOT a two step developer. Prescysol EF, which is more or less the same thing, is being made of two parts, but then you develop in a single solution. Check on that.

 

[scottyb70]

Hi, I noticed the pictures that are more towards the end of the rolls, inner parts of the reel didn't show this type of effect.

I used the Jobo setting number 1, the slower one.

Sandy King did mention you could do it as a two part developer. I will try 1:1:100 next time. When you use it as part a and b you can use the developers again within 3-4 hrs.