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> Requesting open source Microphen formula |
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#1
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Requesting open source Microphen formula
Hi Everyone,
I recently got my Microphen. It's a bit expensive - both money and time-wise. My friend brought it for me all the way from Germany. So can you please suggest a publicly available formula that is the closest to Microphen. Even better if you can share the Microphen formula. :P Another simple query: How long does this 1 liter stock solution last if I were to keep it under the following conditions: (1) half empty glass bottle with Butane gas to remove the air (2) a relative humidity and temperature of up to 85-99% and 37 deg C., respectively. Perhaps, I'm thinking too much, but it's better to be aware of any potential issues before I make the stock solution. Thanks Last edited by ashfaque; 10th February 2015 at 04:13 PM. |
#2
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There you go, according to Anchell:
"Microphen type developer" Water 125°F/52°C 750ml Sodium Sulfite 100.0gr Hydroquinone 5.0gr Borax, granular 3.0gr Boric Acid, granular 3.5gr Potassium Bromide 1.0gr Phenidone 0.2gr Water to make 1.0lt This is as close as we can go since the commercial patented formula is undisclosed. As for development times you'll have to test... Anchell recommends 4 1/2' to 6' at 20°C for HP5+ rated at 650 in stock sol., or 8-11" 1:1, or 14-21' 1:3. The commercial formula is guaranteed 6 mo. in full capped bottle or 1mo. if the bottle is not full. That said more than a tiny hint of yellow and I'd toss it without looking back. In the extreme conditions you mentioned I would be way more conservative than Ilford recommendation. The home brew stock solution I don't expect to last as much gas or not, so I would use it in a short term. Cheers, M. |
#3
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Thanks a lot for the formula and the yellow thingy, Marty.
Just out of curiousity, is it possible to make the "microphen type developer" long lasting - say in propylene glycol? For e.g., like preparing Instant MYTOL in TEA and propylene glycol. I should've mentioned that this will not be temperature and humidity inside the house as we have air conditioner set at 21-24 deg C. I hope it will not be a big problem for me. Bests, Ashfaque
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#4
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I use this formula with the development test given by Ilford for Microphen. Gives lovely results with HP5+ at 800. As for keeping qualities I usually mix it up and do a batch of films and rarely keep it more than a week or so
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#5
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You're welcome.
Using glycol might be possible but my chemisty knowledge unfortunately doesn't go beyond the basics... M.- |
#6
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Rob and Marty: Thanks for your tips.
The longevity of the solution (of the open source version) is a bit of a problem. But shouldn't be a big deal as none of the ingredients is too toxic or expensive. Bests, Ashfaque
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#7
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This is Autophen NOT Microphen
Quote:
The above is the Axford & Kendall PQ photo finishing developer sold by Ilford as Autophen in powder and liquid form with a replenisher for top-up processors and another for bleed replenishment. Essentially it's a PQ version of ID-11. A series of articles in the BJP in the 1950's trace the way that Autophen was evolved from ID-11, written by Ilford chemists. The US Photo Lab index mistakenly assumed it was Microphen. Steve Anchell has the correct formula in the DCB 3rd Edition. The Microphen formula differs with less Sulphite which helps increase the effective film speed alongside the use of Phenidone. Ilford themselves pointed out when Microphen was launched that it was a new formula, they sold both Autophen and Microphen for some time. ID68 / Microphen Water 125°F/52°C 750 ml Sodium Sulphite 85 g Hydroquinone 5 g Borax, granular 7 g Boric Acid, granular 2 g Potassium Bromide 1.g Phenidone 0.13 g Water to make 1 litre ID-68 / Microphen Replenisher Water 125°F/52°C 750 ml Sodium Sulphite 85 g Hydroquinone 8 g Borax, granular 10 g Phenidone 0.22 g Water to make 1 litre Times and uses as per Microphen. Ian |
#8
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Thanks a lot, Ian. Any chance of making a concentrated (read 'long lasting') version of ID-68 (Microphen) alternative with glycerol, propylene glycol or anything else? I'm thinking of something like Jay DeFehr's super concentrated Obsidian Aqua - i.e., one shot developer.
Bests, Ashfaque
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Analogue in digital |
#9
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Thank you for the clarification, Ian. I have in fact the 2nd edition of the Cookbook.
Cheers, M. |
#10
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Quote:
With that much Sodium sulphite making a concentrate would be difficult, solubility is 270g/l, you could make it up double strength, the increased Sulphite level would help it keep longer. The reality nos though it keeps well I never had any go off. The usual reason developers don't keep is poor storage and that's usually due to using plastic bottles that allow slow permeation of Oxygen, low density plastics,. You need to use glass or high density plastics with tops that seal well. Concentrated developers need a different approach. Ian |
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butane, microphen, open source formula |
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