achet AB 55

[larrydressler]

I recently got a cachet AB 55 Dev kit. I have not mixed it up yet but

was wondering if anyone here has ever used it. I shoot 35mm 120/220

mostly Plus-x Forma and Foma 100.on occasion Tri-x.

 

Anyone use this Dev before and did you like the results.

 

Any information would be accepted.

 

Larry

[edward_vargas1]

I have used Cachet AB55 off and on over the years to process 120/220 and not 35mm. It does well as a compensating developer. I would increase exposure between 1/3 to 1 pending your use of a diffusion enlarger or just use the film's ISO for a condenser enlarger. I have not push process any film because I use other developers for this. I find the grain fine, handles high contrast areas well and excellent for Ilford Pan F+ - in some ways it gives creamy results for skin tones like Agfa Rodinal with Agfa films. One of the best features is to process different films together between 68-85 degrees. Follow the instructions to the letter. Use distilled water, no pre-wet and keep A and B far away from one another to avoid pouring the wrong solution in first and no rinse between A and B.

 

I am not sure of the tank size you use for processing but if you use one liter tanks or smaller then I would recommend making the stock solution of two liters of A and B and one liter of Rep B instead of the the working solution of a gallon - working solution is good for a month or if you process a lot of film. If not try this method which I use. I store my stock solution (all my developers) in amber glass bottles which will last for 8 months - a test I did; but I keep my stock for six months. There are a couple of ways for storing stock solution. 1). You can have two one liter amber bottles each for A and B, and one liter for Rep B. 2). Or 4 500ml bottles for each A and B, and 4 250ml bottles for the Rep B. I use method two which works well because all I need to do is add 500ml of distilled water for a working solution of A and B, and 250ml for the Rep B. I hope I didn't get you confused with my method of storing of chemistry.

 

Have any question just email me.

 

Good luck with the AB55.

[larrydressler]

Edward

 

Thanks I printed it out and will read it real slow a few times.

I was not going to mix it up until my gallon of d-76 was gone.

 

I always like to try something differant so this is differant. it is almost like the old Panthermic 777 in the instructions.

 

Larry

[jtdnyc]

Larry, I used AB-55 about ten years ago to develop 35mm film and was pleased with the results. Prints from AB-55 negatives had full tonality everywhere without any dodging or burning. They reminded me of prints I've seen from the 30s and 40s.

 

I used AB-55 in a Jobo processor, which I have since been informed is not ideal, as the constant agitation supposedly defeats the purpose, to some extent, of 2-bath development.

 

I have also read that 2-bath development works better with older films than with modern films, as modern may be too thin to absorb the requisite amount of Part A.

 

Despite these theories, I obtained very pleasing results on TMX with my Jobo. Go figure.

 

Recently, I bought an AB-55 kit which I haven't had a chance to use yet. This time, I plan to use traditional films and manual agitation. Who knows, maybe the results will be even better.

[larrydressler]

Jonathan

 

Thanks I am using old style film. and Also I was told about the 2 bath not working well with newer films but I love the look of TMY in Diafine so another "Go Figure" I love the Arista.edu and Ultra films. also I have a few rolls of APX I have been itching to try. my 35mm is a mix but my 120 is almost 100% B&W. I also find that the 2 bath makes for a negative that is so easy to scan I am wondering why I still have an enlarger.

 

Larry

[jtdnyc]

<I also find that the 2 bath makes for a negative that is so easy to scan I am wondering why I still have an enlarger.>

 

Larry, look at it the other way: AB-55 gives you a negative that is so easy to print optically, why bother with a scanner?

 

(Just teasing. I use both processes.)