why is the sodium sulfite split in this 2bath recipe??

hi,

here's the recipe...

This formula is from Patrick Dignan's book Classic B&W Formulas.

Solution A

Sodium Sulfite, 35 grams - Hydroquinone, 6 grams

Phenidone, 0.2 grams - Sodium Bisulfite, 6 grams

Water to make, 1 liter

Solution B

Sodium Sulfite, 65 grams - Sodium Metaborate, 20 grams

Or, Borax 20 grams, for results "like that of D76"

Water to make, 1 liter

Mr. R. W. Anderson who wrote the article, claims a true

one stop speed boost plus "the advantages ... of

a two bath".

.... normally you'd have all the sodium sulfite in bath A ... right?

what is the function of the sodium sulfite in the bath B?

thanks.

No, you wouldn't because the Sodium Bisulfite is already acting as a preservative for the developing agent and Sodium Sulfite in that amount in the solution would make the solution sufficiently alkaline that development would take place in the "A" bath.

Most "true" two-bath developers work as follows:

Film soaks in Solution A to soak up development agent. Film is then placed in alkaline solution B to actually enable development to proceed.

thanks Al,

so why is it in bath 'B' ?

gonz.