This is one of those areas of the web site that will be updated as often, as I come across interesting brews to use. For now its only a single page compilation hoping to test and collect a lots more. Amusing to realize the rampaging around really never ends.

 

SAFETY TIPS WHILE MIXING YOUR OWN CHEMICALS

• The chemicals in the various formulas should be considered toxic.
• Please use rubber gloves (plastic disposable types will do too) and Wear a plastic apron for handling them.
• Sufficient ventilation and common sense is required.
• For the extra sensitive types (allergies) face musk is an appropriate addition.
• Always wash the skin area contacted by the chemicals.
• Do not eat drink or smoke while handling chemicals.
• Store all your Chemicals in a safe area cool dry dark & out of range for children.
• The containers of the chemicals must be airtight.

RULES FOR MIXING CHEMICALS

• Be sure that all trays and measuring cups are CLEAN.
• Measure or weigh out all of the ingredients before mixing.
• Mix chemicals in the exact order in which they are listed in the formula.
• Dissolve completely and mix into the solution thoroughly each chemical before adding the next.
• After the last chemical is dissolved, make up the final volume by adding water.

Names and terms to remember, anhydrous means “without water” and monohydrated means that one molecule of water is attached to the chemical’s own molecule. Also remember that anhydrous and desiccated means the one & the same thing.

 

FILMS FORMULAS

Kodak D-76 Film Developer Formula

This fine grain developer was introduced in 1927 initially for motion picture and still-camera films. Till today it is one of the most popular formulas in use.

 

750 ml	Water
2 grams	Metol
100 gram	Sodium Sulfite (anhy)
5 grams	Hydroquinone
2 grams	Borax

Add more water to make it one-liter. Mix each ingredient in the order listed. Mix each of the chemicals until they completely dissolved.

Kodak D-19 Film Developer Formula

This was at first used for X-ray films, but now its use has stepped a bit further by coming into use for continuous tone films requiring higher than normal contrast (for special effects) including infrared processing.

500 ml	Water
2 grams	Metol
90 grams	Sodium Sulfite (anhy)
8 grams	Hydroquinone
52.5 grams	Sodium Carbonate (mono)
8 grams	Potassium Bromide

Add water to make one liter.
Average starting development time is 6 minutes in a tank.

Agfa 16 Film Developer Formula

Tropical Developer | High Temperature Processing.

750 ml	Water
6 grams	Metol
100 grams	Sodium Sulfite (anhy)
12 grams	Sodium Carbonate (anhy)
3 grams	Potassium Bromide
40 grams	Sodium Sulfate (Add slowly to avoid caking)

Add water to make one liter.
Developing Times: Developing times vary, depending on the ambient temperature.
18 C – 9 to 11 minutes
 24 C – 6 minutes
29 C – 3 minutes

Ansco 330 Mercury Intensifier

This intensifier is recommended for increasing the printing density of thin Negatives.

500 ml	Cold water
10 grams	otassium Bromide
10 grams	*Mercuric Chloride*

Add water to make one liter.

*Poison-Danger* – Handle with care
Do not dilute for use. Negatives to be intensified must be very thoroughly washed first, or yellow stains may result on the intensified negative. Immerse negatives in above solution until totally bleached to the base of the film and then wash in water adding a few drops of hydrochloric acid.

Redevelop bleached negatives in any standard developer. Surface crust, which forms during storage of the bleaching solution, does not affect the bleach but should be removed before using the solution.

SOEMARKO LC 1: (low contrast developer for litho film)

To make continuous-tone enlarged negatives from lith film you need a low contrast developer like the LC-1.

SOEMARKO LC 1 – Stock A

750 ml	Water
3 grams	Metol
60 grams	Sodium Sulfite
3 grams	Hydroquinone

Add water to make one liter.

SOEMARKO LC 1 - Stock B

Sodium bi sulfite	10 grams
1000 ml	Water

Standard Dilution: 2:3:5 Stock A - Stock B: Water.

Develop the film with vigorous agitation with developer in tray for 5 to 7 minutes, although I would recommend experimentation with various times / temperatures / dilutions before deciding on the combination preferred for the film in use.

 

PAPERS FORMULAS

 

Kodak D -72 Paper Developer Formula (Similar to Dektol)

500 ml	Water
3 grams	Metol
45 grams	Sodium Sulfite (anhy)
12 grams	Hydroquinne
80 grams	Sodium Carbonate (mono)
2 grams	Potassium Bromide

Add water to make one liter.

This is quite a common paper developer similar in the results to Dektol .The standard dilution is 1:2 (I part developer to 2 parts water). All most all the manufacturers of famous companies, which deal in black & white materials Ilford, Agfa etc manufacture a developer similar to Dektol. This is a cold tone developer.

Kodak D – 52 Warm Tone Paper Developer (Selectol)

750 ml	Water
1.5 grams	Metol
21.2 grams	Sodium Sulfite
6 grams	Hydroquinone
17 grams	Sodium Carbonate
1.5 grams	Potassium Bromide

Add water to make one liter. Selectol is usually mixed 1:1 (one part developer to one part water)

Ansco 130 Universal Paper Developer


This formula is a universal developer for all projection and contact papers. It gives rich black tones with superb brilliance and detail.

750 ml	Water
2.2 grams	Metol
50 grams	Sodium Sulfite (anhy)
11 grams	Hydroquinone
78 grams	Sodium Carbonate (mono)
5.5 grams	Potassium Bromide
11 grams	Glycin

Add water to make one liter. The prepared stock solution is clear but slightly colored. The coloration in this case does not indicate the developer has deteriorated or is unfit for use. For use, dilute 1 part stock solution with 1 part water. Greater contrast can be obtained by using the developer stock solution full strength. Soft results can be obtained by diluting 1 part stock solution with 2 parts water.

Ansco 210 Acid Stop Bath

This solution is recommended for use between developer and fixer, to prevent staining of film negatives and prints.

750 ml	Cold-water
45 ml	Acetic Acid, 28% pure

Add water to make one liter. Glacial acetic acid (99.5%) may be diluted to the 28% concentration by mixing 3 parts of glacial acetic acid with 8 parts of water.