Support our Sponsors, they keep FADU free:   AG Photographic   The Imaging Warehouse   Process Supplies   RH Designs   Second-hand Darkroom Supplies  

Notices

Go Back   Film and Darkroom User > Chemistry > Manufactured brews

  ***   Click here for the FADU 2015/2014 Yearbooks   ***

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 13th September 2016, 11:14 AM
John King John King is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: County Durham
Posts: 3,319
Default No longer made

More years ago than I care to remember, at least the late 1960's Ilford used to make a powder film developer called Hyfin. It was a high accutance developer sold in sealed packets in powder form, each to make 500cc. If I remember correctly there were only two films for it to be used with which were Ilford Pan F and FP3 (I told you it was a long while ago). Either film required 18 mins at 68F.

It was like no other developer I have used before or since, negatives were sharp beyond compare, clean rendition with good shadow and highlight detail. The closest that I have come accross was home brewed Beutler 2 part developer.

Once with water it had a very short life and had to be used in 24 hours of mixing or it went dark brown.

I have approached Ilford for information but they could not (would not) help and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about it.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13th September 2016, 02:37 PM
monst's Avatar
monst monst is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: crystal palace
Posts: 65
Default

i did a search and found some info on APUG but couldn't link it
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 13th September 2016, 02:39 PM
monst's Avatar
monst monst is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: crystal palace
Posts: 65
Default

From Ian Grant via APUG


In his book "Photographic Processing Chemistry" (1974 Focal Press), L.F.A. Mason lists a typical High Acutance Developer.

This may possibly be the formula for Hyfin, which was Ilford's High Acutance developer, available from 1961 until the early 1970's. Mason calls it a typical formula:


High Acutance Developer

Metol 0.5g
Sodium Sulphite (anhyd) 5g
Sodium Carbonate (anhyd) 5g
Water to 1 litre

Development times 15-25 minutes
Requires a minimum of 600ml of chemistry per 35mm or 120 film.

Mason notes that additions to the formula have been proposed, either 0.1g/litre Potassium Bromide or 5ml of 0.0001% Potassium Iodide solution. (He may be referring to other similar formulae like FX-1 etc)


Hyfin was sold in packets containing 5 sachets of developer each one making up 600ml of solution. I have two packets of Hyfin & will weigh the contents of a scchet next time I'm in the UK.

Hyfin instructions were:

Pan F & FP3 - 18 minutes @ 20°C
Continuous agitation for the first 10 seconds then 5 seconds every minute.
Gives 1 stop more effective film speed
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13th September 2016, 04:44 PM
John King John King is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: County Durham
Posts: 3,319
Default Hyfin

Those instuctions at the bottom of the previous post are exactly as I remember, although I don't remember the film speed increase. It was such a superb developer I was surprised that it was discontinued. Mind you I do recall that it was quite expensive when compared to the likes of the original Rodinal.

600cc per sachet makes sense because I used to make the full quantity and develop 2 films by dividing the solution in two and using an old Patterson 300cc (and very leaky) tank.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14th September 2016, 09:30 AM
photomi7ch's Avatar
photomi7ch photomi7ch is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: East Midlands
Posts: 2,516
Default

You could try Studional it has the some of characteristics you describe. A litre of working solution has a three month life or 12 film production which ever comes first.
__________________
Mitch

http://photomi7ch.blogspot.com/

If you eliminate the impossible whatever remains no matter how improbable must be the truth.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14th September 2016, 01:56 PM
Svend Svend is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,193
Default

John -- in the chapter on non-solvent high acutance formulas, the Film Developing Cookbook by Anchell and Troop refers to a few developers with the characteristics you describe. Their take on the properties of FX-2 seem closest to what you seem to be looking for.

Further, FX-1, modified FX-1B, and D-165 all have similar formulas to what Monst has posted, with differing ratios of ingredients.

If you don't have the book, I can summarize their descriptions for you and post the recipes. Let me know...

BTW, for the recipe from Monst, I'm guessing that makes a working solution? Pretty low amount of Metol for stock. Further dilution wouldn't leave much in the soup.

Good luck in your search.

Svend
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 14th September 2016, 06:02 PM
Lostlabours Lostlabours is online now
Friend
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: West Midlands/Aegean
Posts: 1,988
Default

Hyping isn't quite the formula in Mason's book, it contained Glycin as well as Metol. I'm away in Canada at the moment so can't check but seem to ember Mason saying an equall amount of Glycin.

I still have 2 or 3 packets of Hyfin, the Glycin has oxidised unfortunately.

Ian
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 14th September 2016, 08:44 PM
Svend Svend is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,193
Default

If I recall correctly, Crawley's FX-2 also contains glycin, whereas FX-1/1B and D-165 do not. I can check Anchell & Troop if you like...

Hope you're getting closer to a good ersatz formula for Hyfin, John.

Svend
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 15th September 2016, 11:10 AM
John King John King is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: County Durham
Posts: 3,319
Default Ilford Hyfin

Thanks for all the replies they will be quite helpful and I will consider if it is worth trying to replicate it.

I am going to E mail Ilford again (it is 3-4 years since I last spoke to them about it) and see if they will either release the formula or consider re-introducing it even in limited quantities.

The latter is not likely, but if you don't ask you never get.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 17th September 2016, 01:36 AM
JulioF JulioF is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Montevideo, Uruguay
Posts: 132
Default

Quote:
High Acutance Developer

Metol 0.5g
Sodium Sulphite (anhyd) 5g
Sodium Carbonate (anhyd) 5g
Water to 1 litre
If my arithmetic is right, those are the exact ingredients and quantities of Beutler, when diluted to the working mix. No wonder you got such close results with Beutler.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Support our Sponsors, they keep FADU free:   AG Photographic   The Imaging Warehouse   Process Supplies   RH Designs   Second-hand Darkroom Supplies  

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
I've made a website wilfbiffherb Members Announcements 13 8th October 2014 05:04 PM
The most boring ad ever made ? Argentum Photography in general 8 24th September 2014 02:27 PM
No Longer FS: Kodachrome 64 film... Tom Kershaw Sale or Wanted 6 12th June 2010 12:10 AM
7DayShop no longer sells 5x4 B&W Film Martin Aislabie Monochrome Film 10 25th April 2010 06:07 PM
How Film Is Made. Keith Tapscott. Photography in general 2 23rd August 2009 07:47 PM


All times are GMT. The time now is 03:04 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.