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  #1  
Old 9th December 2009, 09:22 PM
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Rob Archer Rob Archer is offline
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Default Non-allergenic, environmentally friendly print developer.

I'm always on the look out for recipes with a low(er) impact on the environment and this caught my attention. It's E72, which gives similar results to D72 (sold by Kodak as Dektol). It doesn't contain Hydroquinone (not good for aquatic life or sewerage systems apparently), or metol - a known cause of dermatitis.

Water (50DegC ish) 750ml
Phenidone 0.5g
Sodium Sulphite (anh) 45g
Ascorbic Acid* 19g
Sodium Carbonate 90g
Cold water to 1l

*Ascorbic acid is available from health food shops as Vitamin C powder - my wife used it in breadmaking, so I didn't even have to buy any!
Dilute 1:2 for use (it will work up to 1:4 but with lower contrast)

I was initally a bit sceptical, but after a trial today I am pleasantly surprised. It's quite fast, and gives a good neutral-cool tone on Ilford MG FB. I've yet to try it with warm-tone papers.

Rob
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Old 10th December 2009, 07:31 AM
Dave miller Dave miller is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Archer View Post
I'm always on the look out for recipes with a low(er) impact on the environment and this caught my attention. It's E72, which gives similar results to D72 (sold by Kodak as Dektol). It doesn't contain Hydroquinone (not good for aquatic life or sewerage systems apparently), or metol - a known cause of dermatitis.

Water (50DegC ish) 750ml
Phenidone 0.5g
Sodium Sulphite (anh) 45g
Ascorbic Acid* 19g
Sodium Carbonate 90g
Cold water to 1l

*Ascorbic acid is available from health food shops as Vitamin C powder - my wife used it in breadmaking, so I didn't even have to buy any!
Dilute 1:2 for use (it will work up to 1:4 but with lower contrast)

I was initally a bit sceptical, but after a trial today I am pleasantly surprised. It's quite fast, and gives a good neutral-cool tone on Ilford MG FB. I've yet to try it with warm-tone papers.

Rob
Sounds very promising Rob, please keep us informed about the results of your further trials.
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  #3  
Old 11th December 2009, 11:19 AM
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Steve Smith Steve Smith is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Archer View Post
Ascorbic acid is available from health food shops as Vitamin C powder - my wife used it in breadmaking, so I didn't even have to buy any!
I expect you paid for it one way or another!


Steve.
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Old 9th October 2018, 12:04 PM
Terry S Terry S is offline
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As well as the Eco D76 variant being talked about just now, this is another formula that I will try as well.

Thanks Rob.

Terry S
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Old 9th October 2018, 03:14 PM
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I've been using this as my standard neutral-tone print developer for some years now. It does work well with warm tone paper diluted at 1:4 although full development will take up to 5 minutes depending on temperature. For warmer tones add 10ml of 10% potassium bromide solution per litre (more than that gives warmer tones but slows down developing dramatically).
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Old 12th June 2019, 11:38 AM
Terry S Terry S is offline
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I've just reread this, and as my print developer is nearly finished, I think I'll give it a go before ordering some more of my usual.

Has anyone else tried this and want to comment?

Terry S
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Old 8th November 2023, 10:22 PM
Stocky Stocky is offline
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Just remember that "Vitamin C Powder" can be ascorbic acid, or sodium ascorbate, both useful in developers but you need to be aware of the difference. There is also calcium ascorbate at my local pharmacy, and you don't want calcium in your developer.

Also, in the original post, should there be some bromide?

Last edited by Stocky; 8th November 2023 at 10:27 PM.
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Old 9th November 2023, 01:22 PM
Terry S Terry S is offline
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And don't forget that that I have started a new post about ascorbic acid / vitamin C type developers, initially focusing on E72, as a HQ free print developer, with the post being started in October 2023:

http://www.film-and-darkroom-user.or...ad.php?t=14758

Terry S
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