Re: Konica 750

[eml@xxxxxxxxx]

> 
> Has anyone else noticed high base density on Konica 750 in 120 size.  I've
> processed this film in T-Max and Rodinol and both have given what I consider
> excessive density in the clear areas.  Benzotriazole helps somewhat but I'd
> be interested to hear what others do or if this problem is unique to me.
> BTW I push the film to ASA 25 w/ #25 filter, metered w/ handheld meter,
> i.e., an ASA of 200 w/ 3 stop filter factor.  Ryan Bond
> 
> 
I have been using this film for a number of years.  Because of living
in Miami, FL, I have had to process at some extremely high temperatures.
As a result, I drifted toward Microdol-X and Microphen, both at 1part to
three parts water dilution, with a normal processing temperature of 25C
(77F).  Results have been excellent.  The Microphen seems, with almost all
films, to give about 1/2 stop more effective film speed than the Microdol-X
does.  Using the Microphen at 1:1 is excellent for pushing, perhaps another
stop, without excessive highlight blocking.  It would appear that Phenidone-
based developers produce this slight (1/2 stop) but useful speed gain at no
apparent cost in sharpness, grain, or gradation.  Therefore, I recommend
Microphen, especially dilute Microphen, as a primary developer for slower
films.  It certainly makes pretty negatives on Konica IR!

A few thoughts that you might want to consider also are trying to
develop the film in Diafine.  This divided developer produces very
high true emulsion speeds, typically, a 1 to 1 1/2 stop push.  Again,
the grain and sharpness are excellent, and highlights are not blocked
up as with normal push processing.  I have not used it with Konica,
but it has performed very well with every other film I ever tried
in it.

Also, I have used a lowered-sulfite version of the Leica Divided
Developer (original 1927 version) with considerable success, and even used
it as a basis for my own divided Tech Pan developer.  It's simple and
cheap.  If you want a formula, e-mail me.

Best of luck!


Edward M. Lukacs, LRPS
Washington, DC, USA     


-- 
    _/_/_/_/ _/_/    _/ _/   | Edward M. Lukacs 
   _/       _/ _/ _/_/ _/    | eml@xxxxxxxxx 
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 _/       _/      _/ _/      | Washington, DC 20007
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Topic No. 6