Beutler High Acutance Film Developer is a compensating developer that gives excellent sharpness, medium grain, and low contrast. With 200 ASA or slower film a high degree of enlargement is possible. Compensation and lower contrast is achieved because more bromide is released in the highlights than in the shadows. The excess bromide in the highlights slows their development relative to the shadow areas where the development continues and brings out the fine details. The net effect is an increase in shadow detail and a decrease in the overall contrast of the negative. A Mackie line is a fine black line around the highlights. These fine lines result from bromide spreading around the highlight. At the edge of the highlight, the concentration of bromide on the shadow side of the edge causes abnormal restrainment. Consequently, the edge of the highlight becomes very well defined. This metol-based developer is very economical. The chemicals contained in this kit are used to make 2 stock solutions, which are diluted to make 12 liters of working solution.
FOR YOUR CHEMICAL SAFETY
Some individuals become sensitized (develop allergic symptoms or rashes)
when using metol. If this should happen,
discontinue use and consult a physician. We recommend you wear a dust mask,
splash goggles, rubber gloves and a rubber apron anytime you are mixing dry
chemicals.
MIXING THE STOCK SOLUTIONS
Two stock solutions are prepared, and just prior to use, a portion of each
is mixed with water to obtain the working solution. You will need one dark
brown bottle with a capacity of one liter to store Stock Solution, and a glass
or plastic one liter storage container for Stock Solution B. We recommend you
wear rubber gloves, splash goggles, dust mask and a rubber apron whenever you
are mixing dry chemicals.
Stock Solution A
| Chemical | Amount | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Water (120°F/48°C) | 750 | ml |
| Metol | 10 | g |
| Sodium Sulfite | 50 | g |
| Cold Water to make | 1000 | ml |
Place the warm water in the storage container. Add a pinch of sodium sulfite (this amount of sodium sulfite retards the initial oxidation of the metol. If more sulfite is added, the metol will not dissolve). Add the metol and stir well until all of the metol dissolves. Add each chemical in order making sure each has dissolved completely before adding the next. Finally add cold water to bring the total volume up to 1000 ml. Be sure to stir the solution after adding the final portion of water to ensure that it is mixed thoroughly.
Stock Solution B
| Chemical | Amount | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Water (120°F/48°C) | 750 | ml |
| Sodium Carbonate (anhy) | 50 | g |
| Cold Water to make | 1000 | ml |
Place the warm water in the storage container. Add the sodium carbonate and stir until the solid disappears. Add cold water to bring the final volume up to 1000 ml. Stir the solution to make sure it is mixed thoroughly.
LIFE OF THE SOLUTION
The shelf life of both stock solutions is 6 months if the storage container
is full and tightly capped.
MIXING THE WORKING SOLUTION
You will need a graduated cylinder to mix the working solution. All
solutions should be at 20°C/68°F for both mixing and development. To
prepare the working solution, mix one part Stock Solution A with one part Stock
Solution B and eight (8) parts water.
WORKING SOLUTION
| Chemical | Amount | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Water (68°F/20°C) | 750 | ml |
| Stock Solution A | 100 | ml |
| Stock Solution B | 100 | ml |
| water to make | 1000 | ml |
USAGE
The actual development time varies with individual taste and film type and
should be determined by testing. In general, slow films require less
development while fast films require longer development. Agitation is variable
with this developer for you to tailor development to your specific needs. More
time allowed between agitation results in more compensation and increased
sharpness. Too much time between agitation results in uneven development. Run
careful tests to find the agitation pattern best suited for your application.
We recommend a development time of 8 to 15 minutes at 20°C/68°F, using
your normal development sequence.
NOTES
Ronald W. Anderson specifies 65 grams of
Sodium Sulfite per liter of stock of stock solution. I have noted that when
I make solution B with tap water, what I suppose to be calcium carbonate
settles as a scum on the bottom. De-ionized or distilled water does not
produce this effect which seems to cause no harm in any case. Successful use of
high acutance developers requires the thinnest practical negative consistent
with printing on normal contrast paper. Over-exposure will result in coarse
grain and lower acutance. Agitation is also important When using a Nikor or
similar tank, agitate continuously for the first 15 seconds and then for 5
seconds every minute. The use of an acid stop-bath is NOT recommended.
Instead use a one minute rinse in water. All solutions including wash water
should be at 68°F., do not use higher temperatures. If developer fog is
experienced with old film add small amounts of
benzotriazole 0.2%. These
developers do not reduce the grain inherent in an emulsion, but the increase in
sharpness due to their use is amazing especially if you are accustomed to a
solvent type developer such as Microdol or D-76 which
mush up the grain. Besides showing you detail you thought your camera never
saw before, these developers have the added advantage of being the most
economical to use. Commercial preparations based on the same considerations as
previously given are Neofin Blue, Ethol TEC and FX-22, but may not be identical
with any of the formulas given above.
REFERENCE
Buetler High Acutance Film Developer, Kit No. 01-0060,
Photographers' Formulary (800-922-5255),
150 Popular B&W Formulas, Patrick D. Dignan.
Buetler's High Acutance Film Developer 105,
The Darkroom Cookbook,
Stephen G. Anchell, p.160.
Buetler's High Acutance Film Developer 105,
The Darkroom Cookbook, Second
Edition, Stephen G. Anchell, p. 59.
Buetler's High Acutance Film Developer 105,
The Film Developing Cookbook,
Stephen G. Anchell and
Bill Troop, p. 48