D 23 dilution ?

[nicolas_renon]

Hello,

 

I am interested in using Kodak D23 formula but I have found nothing

about dilution. Do I have to use it "as it" or can I use it diluted

(as for the D 76 for instance) and in this latter case, what would be

the development time basis for TMAX 100 and HP5+ ?

 

Thanks.

 

Nicolas

[don_mckeith]

Here's a good article on D-23

 

http://www.photoshot.com/articles/general/kodak_d_23.htm

[ronald_moravec1]

You may use it stock or diluted or as part one of a two part developer, with sodium carbonate or borax as the second part. You may need to mix it double strength for use as a two part with thin emulsion films, or perhaps only 1 1/2. Films have changed since this technique was popular. Increase solution strength if you can not get sufficient density in four minutes in part a, D23 stock. Increase only metol, not sodium sulfite.

[adrian_pateman3]

Another option would be to use Barry Thornton's version of D-23 which is to cut the Sulphite back to 85g/litre but increase the Metol to 6.25g which seems to give slightly sharper results for a very small penalty in grain. Use either as stock or with a Sodium Metaborate afterbath.

[chris_waller]

I use it at 1+2 dilution to get more acutance. I don't have my notebook with me at the moment so I'll have to get back to you with ratings and times.

[david_karp]

I second Barry Thornton's formula. Before he passed away, I e-mailed him because the formulae on his website and in his book "the Edge of Darkness" were different. He told me that he changed to formula to 6.5g per liter of metol in the A bath since he published the formula on his website. This formula works great. If you want to give your film minus development, try 8g per liter of sodium metaborate in bath B. For plus development, try 20g per liter of sodium metaborate in the B bath. Normal, I believe, is 12g per liter.

[robert_davis2]

Real D-23 calls for 7.5 grams of metol. So 6.25 grams is a reduction not an increase. Dilute stock D-23 to 1:3 and you get pretty close to Windisch Metol/sodium sulfite developer.

[david_karp]

Thornton increased his formulat to 6.5g, but did indeed reduce the metol in his A bath because he felt the results with 7.5g metol were too contrasty. His formula also differs from D-23 in that it uses 80g per liter of sodium sulfite instead of 100g. I have not tested this out, but I bet that not much development (if any) takes place in the A bath of Thornton's formula. I have modified his formula by putting 40g/liter of sodium sulfite in the A bath, and 40g/liter of it in the B bath (similar to Vestal's divided D-76) and this also works very well.

[robert_davis2]

That's all nice but he asked about D-23. If you guys want to drift then at least mention what you're talking about. If you don't all you do is confuse anybody reading the thread.

[chris_waller]

TMax 100 at 50 ASA, D23, 1+2, 20 C, 11.5 minutes.

 

HP5 at 160 ASA, D23, 1+2, 20 C, 15 minutes.

 

The above times are for a diffuser-head enlarger.

[jim kerr]

Nicolas, you might wan't to give Kodak a call on their 800 phone number at 1-800-242-2424 extension 19 (between 9am and 7pm,New York time, I assume). They are usually most helpful. I'm almost positive that Kodak's recommended development times are for diffusion enlarging or contact printing...All the best...Jim