PMK: first time out

[Kenj8246]

Since seeing Chris Crawford's recent thread and other work with PMK, I decided to give it a try. These are just grab shots of handy things on the TAMU campus. Neopan Acros 100 exposed at 64, PMK 1+2+100 for 14 min at 20C. The exposures could, without a doubt, be better but I'm pleased with the way the negatives turned out. Can't wait to shoot some HP5 and FP4…love the way Ilford films dry nice and flat compared to just about everything else I shoot. 🙂


Mamiya 7-Acros100 01 by kenj8246, on Flickr


Mamiya 7-Acros100 03 by kenj8246, on Flickr


Mamiya 7-Acros100 05 by kenj8246, on Flickr

Developing with PMK requires more and more vigorous agitation than I normally use but it's worth the effort, in my opinion. Comments and suggestions welcomed; I'm fairly thick-skinned.

Kenny

 

[Gerry M]

Kenny, My critique: SUPER!! I wonder how it would do with motor base rotation?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Kenny,

Looks great! I messed up the first few rolls I developed with PMK when I first began working with it several years ago. I got uneven developing and some spotting; yours are flawless!

The only thing I don't like is that they look very flat. I don't think your developing was the problem, though. They look like film scans that have not been edited. Film scanners make BW film look very flat because they were designed for the high density range of slide films, so you have to do some curves adjustments in Photoshop to bring the contrast up and bring out the full tonal separation that you want. I edited two of them to show the difference:

 

[Photo_Smith]

I don't think you'll need a thick skin these look fine, good contrast and nice tone.
Have fun!
Mark

 

[Kenj8246]

Kenny, My critique: SUPER!! I wonder how it would do with motor base rotation?

Thank you. According to the poop sheet included in the kit: "JOBO processors can also be used successfully with PMK, particularly the 3000 series drums". They do recommend a short presoak for rotary processors, though.

Kenny

 

[Kenj8246]

I don't think you'll need a thick skin these look fine, good contrast and nice tone.
Have fun!
Mark

Thank you, as well, Mark. I think I'm gonna enjoy PMK once I get accustomed to the near constant agitation.

Kenny