Am about to use PMK developer with my slower B&W films (120). Is is recommended to use a non hardening fixer with this developer? Also, can this developer by used for Maco 120 Infared films ? thanks mark smith

-- mark smith (msmith@fayar.net), May 31, 2002

Answers

Basically, you want to avoid acid because it removes the stain. Most hardening fixers are acidic. So, if you use a fixer without the hardener and acid, you will be fine. I would suggest an alkaline fixer (you can skip the post fix bath in the used developer which is otherwise required to induce and intensify the stain). Cheers, DJ

-- N Dhananjay (dhananjay-nayakankuppam@uiowa.edu), May 31, 2002.

Basically, you want to avoid acid because it removes the stain. Most hardening fixers are acidic. So, if you use a fixer without the hardener and acid, you will be fine. I would suggest an alkaline fixer (you can skip the post fix bath in the used developer which is otherwise required to induce and intensify the stain). I can see no problem with using pyro to develop the Maco IR film. Cheers, DJ

-- N Dhananjay (dhananjay-nayakankuppam@uiowa.edu), May 31, 2002.

I am still experimenting with the Maco IR film and Pyro. My tungsten speed is around 50, with NO FILTER. The negatives could still stand a little more exposure, so next I'll try 40 and 32.

For daylight with a #87 filter I am getting a speed of 3, (sometimes slower!!)

Developing in PMK 20+40+1000 13min 21degrees C, agitation 4 inversions every 15 sec. 1min presoak to get rid if the antihalation coating. I use Kodak rapid fix, but I do not add the hardener. Distilled water for ALL the development, stop, fix and wash (6 water baths 5min ea) Negs have been ok for condenser enlarger, but a little thin for the diffusion enlarger. Next roll, I'm going 15 min development, and increasing exposure by 1/3 to 1/2 stop (bracketing like crazy, as with all IR films)

If you find another combination of exposure/development/filter that works post it and let us all know:-)

-- Eric Verheul (everheul@cnetech.com), June 01, 2002.

I started using Agfa FX-Universal fixer when I needed an alkaline fixer for PMK-developed negs. Here in Australia I was unable to get ammonium thiosulphate and Photograpers Formulary TF-4 was unobtainable (at least at a reasonable price)

Although Agfa FX-Universal is sold primarily as a fixer for colour processing, they're now labelling it for B+W as well. It's slightly alkaline (pH=7.5 approx), doesn't smell like acidic fixers and is used around 1+5 for film and paper. It's not as fast as Kodak and Ilford rapid fixers but is still fast.

It's very reasonably priced. I now use it for all film and paper.

-- john stockdale (jo.sto@bigpond.com), June 02, 2002.