photographers' formulary

Looking for feedback from people who have used Photographers' Formulary products. Different from name brands such as Kodak, Ilford, etc? Better? worse? No different? thanks

I've been doing business with Photographer's Formulary since 1984. I

got some old amidol from them a long time ago, but in recent years

the amidol, the glycin, and all the other touchy chemicals have been

fresh. (In fact, I don't think anyone else makes glycin anymore.) PF

don't use fancy containers. Most chemicals keep best in brown glass

bottles but are only available in plastic now. Small quantities from

PF will arrive in a plastic bag instead of a phial. (Just a pet

peeve.) Quite frankly, Photographer's Formulary is a pleasure to deal

with. Bryant Labs in Berkeley has cheaper gold chloride, if you buy

it by the gram, but most everything else they sell is more expensive

than that of Photographer's Formulary. However, I've had good luck

with them over the years.

Think about it this way; Kodak, Ilford etc are rather concerned about the mass market, and product decisions are driven by ease of shipping, keeping, and idiot-proofing. Photographers Formulary, otoh, is a chemical supplier for homebrews, sells variants of common products, and sells products for which there is no longer sufficient market for the biggies.

I have used PF for several years. They are one of the most

trustworthy and competent photo suppliers I've ever used. Their TF-4

Archival fixer is the ONLY fixer I use for film. Over the years I've

bought pyro by the pound and have NEVER had a problem with poor

quality. WHOLEHEARTEDLY RECOMMENDED!

Carol,

 

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I buy PMK and TF-4 from PF. The TF-4 fixer is my favorite one,

especially when I'm travelling and want to develop film on the

road. TF-4 is a concentrate, packs easily, and mixes quickly (you

don't have to dissolve powdered fixer in hot water and then wait till

it cools down).

 

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I've tried several of their film developer formulations, some with

great success, others are frankly no better than the common, brand

name counterpart. Some of the write-ups on their products can be a

little optimistic, but, then again, maybe I just did not use the

product long enough, or carefully enough.

 

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Their little catalogue is very interesting to read and a wealth of

information. Some of the chemicals they sell you cannot get

elsewhere.

 

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And, on the business side, I've never had any problem with PF.

 

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Good luck, Sergio.

I use their TF-4 fixer exclusively for films; it does a thorough job

on the "new technology" (T-Max and Delta) films, and it's economical.

Somewhat easier to mix than a powder, although you have to shake the

stock solution for a while to break up the white crud in the bottom

of the bottle.

Besides being very good on the chemical end they are very helpful

with information, a first class outfit. Pat

Had a problem with one of their products, and asked for advice from

them by email. Never got a reply.

The short answer is "better." For instance, if you like Kodak's D-76,

but have noticed it develops more contrast with storage, try their

improved D-76--I believe they call it TD-16. Or, for high acutance

film developers, their improved version of FX-2, TFX-2, does a better

job with T-grain films. The Formulary also makes some primo paper

developers, including BW-65. Other writers have already mentioned

their alkaline fixer, so I won't belabor the point. Ask for a catalog

and order with confidence.