Re: Microphen (new thread)

[eml@xxxxxxxxx]

Microphen is very similar to D-76, except that it contains Phenidone
in place of Metol, and is buffered (Borax/Boric Acid).  It has longer
storage life and tends to produce higher emulsion speeds.  This last is
a common feature of Phenidone and, as near as I can tell, the gain is
"free" in that the grain and gradation of the negatives is as good
as or better than D-76 or similar-processed negatives even though the 
effective shadow speed is greater.  Any D-76 user would find Microphen
very similar, but far better tto push with and capable of the same sort
of high definition and unblocked highlights as Microdol-X when used as 
Microdol-X often is, diluted 1:3. 

D-76 has been known for many years to increase activity with age.  This was
one of the reasons that Kodak produced the D-76d and DK-76 variants for
movie film tank development.  I have not heard of this happening with
its common competitors, Microphen and Atomal.

I switched from Microdol-X 1:3 to Microphen 1:3 (never did like D-76 in
college) when I discovered that I had become sensitized to Metol. These
two developers perform identically except that  Microdol always manages
to provide a real speed increase, noticeable in the better shadow detail.
It appears to be, depending on the film, 1/3 to 1/2 stop.

In general, Microphen is a very reliable, long-lived developer with
excellent capacity and unfussy handling characteristics.  It is not
the only developer that I use by a long shot!  But if I absolutely
have to have good negatives of something I can't reshoot, I usually
process in Microphen 1:3.  I can't say it never fails, but it has 
yet to fail me!

Hope this helps.

Ed

-- 
    _/_/_/_/ _/_/    _/ _/   | Edward M. Lukacs 
   _/       _/ _/ _/_/ _/    | eml@xxxxxxxxx 
  _/_/_/   _/  _/  _/ _/     | 3850 Tunlaw Road, NW, Apt. 815 
 _/       _/      _/ _/      | Washington, DC 20007
_/_/_/_/ _/      _/ _/_/_/_/ | Telephone: (95) 202-338-1489


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End of INFRARED-PHOTOGRAPHY Digest 114
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