PMK-Digital

[galitsos]

Is there any advantage on developing a B/W film with PMK instead of

a coventional developer and printing it digitally? I believe it

would be interesting to hear your opinions.

Thanks,

George Galitsos.

[bruce watson]

I suspect that there is no advantage. I've looked closely at PMK, but never have used it, for this reason - I was going to scan the negatives. I suspect that the stain would not be a big impediment to scanning. It's just the reason to use PMK seems to be for its compensation effects. It seems to induce a shoulder on most films. Any decent scanner should be able to handle the density range of just about any B&W film, and the extra shoulder doesn't help (or hinder).

 

So if you don't really get much benefit, why would you take the risk of using a pretty toxic developer?

 

I keep looking at PMK, but I keep developing my 4x5 Tri-X in XTOL 1:3, and scanning with my ColorGetter 3 Pro drum scanner. Excellent results.

[mark f]

I develop using primarily HC110 and PMK. If it weren't for the reduction in film speed, I'd use PMK all the time. I went to it for better sharpness and less grain in 35 and 120. The compensation also does help with roll film. I originally tried it thinking that scanners seem to like dye-cloud based films (c-41 XP2 comes to mind) more than traditional films and the stain would be like a dye cloud. Maybe it is less important with 4x5, but I have noticed a difference in my scanning.<div></div>

[scott_eaton]

If you want extreme highlight compensation use a chromogenic like XP2. PMK and other similiar type developers reduce density range, which is the only tangible difference with classic B/W films and others in the first place.

 

The majority of images I see taken with film processed in these type developers are just plain *bad* with the photographer grinning away like the proud father of an ugly baby.

 

An excuse to play with developers I guess.

[lex_jenkins]

Scott - always good for a healthy gibe.

 

Y'know, I've noticed for some time a strong resemblance in the tonality of prints made from XP2 Super and those made from conventional b&w films dipped in a pyro or catechol brew.

 

What the hell... there are still artists working strictly in the iconic style using egg tempera. Room for everyone and every medium.

[galitsos]

Thank you all for your view. However I believe that there is no disadvantage using PMK at least as concerns the image quality and because I'll print some of them on silver paper I think that is not a bad idea developing with PMK.