Microphen & Perceptol

[rui_alves_da_silva]

<i>(Moderator's note: Please don't make unsupported statements or ask questions that merely imply the repetition of rumors, such as the one initiating this thread. If you can provide irrefutable evidence of the most recent possible nature, fine. Otherwise, don't just repeat gossip you've heard on the internet.)</i><p>

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Hello,<p>

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Ilford is not producing this developers anymore? Can someone provide formulas?<p>

Thanks<p>

Rui<p>

[lowell_huff1]

I would provide samles of Clayton CP Powder Film Developer or our

F 60 Liquid Developer. askus@claytonchem.com

[kaiyen]

Lowell - I thought you just said that F76 was an analog of Microphen? I can't really figure out which developers from clayton correspond. The descriptions are all like "this developer is great for everything!" it seems to me.

 

perhaps you could give me a better idea of how Clayton developers match up against those from other companies? Perhaps off-line?

 

allan

[seanmoran]

Perceptol - or a copy - is now being made by Moersch and distributed by www.retrophotographic.com. I've not tried out mine yet, because I've still got some of the original Ilford product left, but apparently it is identical in use and results.

 

Sean.

[al_divenuti]

Kodak Microdol-X is a perfrect substitute for Perceptol. They are, in effect, identical.

 

Ilford Microphen and Perceptol are proprietary developers, you will not find published formulas for them.

 

However, if you search this site you will find reference to a formula published in the "Darkroom Cookbook" that is supposedly a close match for Microphen.

 

Assuming you can't find Microphen, than Kodak XTOL might work nicely. It has very good film speed, too.

[seanmoran]

Thanks for the info, Al. I've heard about the American product before. Do you know where we can buy it in the UK?

 

Sean.

[Fotohuis RoVo]

For the Microphen you can try the SLD from SPUR (Germany) and for the Perceptol the HRX-2 from SPUR.

And indeed Wolfgang Moersch has made an equivalent recept for Perceptol.

 

Information you can find on our NL-website or the 8x11film.com website.

 

Best regards,

 

Robert

 

www.FotohuisRoVo.nl

[al_divenuti]

Sorry Sean, I'm not familiar with the UK Photo retailing landscape so I can't advise you. Kodak chemistry is generally fairly available in W. Europe, though, so it shouldn't be all that hard to get.

[bob_mcbob]

Aren't they starting production of Microphen again? Should I be stocking up?

[al_divenuti]

A frequent poster on the forum (Roger Hicks) suggested that Ilford would be resuming production of Microphen shortly, perhaps through a subcontractor. Not sure of the timeframe.

[tklim]

Hello Rui Alves,

 

Below is a formula I've known and used for years, a one that is, to my best knowledge and experience, the closest substitute for Microphen:

 

Water 750 ml -

Sodium suplphite 100 g -

Hydroquinone 5 g -

Phenidone 0.2 g -

Borax 6.8 g -

Boric acid 2.7 g -

Sodium metabisulphite 0.65 g -

Potassium bromide 1.0 g -

Water to make 1000 ml -

 

Many Microphen-like formulae have been published in different sources. They all should give similar results. I've found the above to have very slightly lower energy than the original (you'll probably need some 10% longer dev times), but retains the character of the negative image you would expect from Microphen. If you are willing to mix from scratch - have fun and good luck.

 

Regards,

 

Tomasz

[rui_alves_da_silva]

Thanks Tomasz