Product instruction sheets
Barry Thornton's DiXactol Ultra
All films, with the exception of adapted copying films and ultra fast films, can be developed together in the two bath or single bath ‘partial stand’ option, regardless of film speed or make, for about the same time to produce easily printable negatives. It makes the simultaneous processing of roll films containing many different pictures with greatly varying brightness ranges practical. Photographers using zone system exposure control on roll film should find it possible to give a single processing time that allows higher quality printing on a narrower spread of paper contrast grades. N+ or N- development times are still perfectly possible for those zone system workers wishing to exercise tight control of tonal contrast, but the need for this is reduced. For ultimate control of negative density for individual film emulsions, single bath processing is available. The ‘spread’ of suggested development times for varying films is much narrower than conventional developers. This means that developing differing film emulsions together for the same time is a practical proposition.
Exposure
Expose at or just below the film makers rated speed (example EI320 for EI400). Because of the added printing density of the stain, the usual zone system cut in speed needed for fine negatives with proper shadow detail to produce fine prints is unnecessary. For finest quality prints, carry out simple tests for true film speed with your equipment and expose using zone system principles to place the areas you want to show full textured shadow detail on zone iii.
Developing-single bath
This is carried out in small tanks at 24 degrees C. Before development, give the film a pre-soak in water at the same temperature in order to help achieve the correct tank/spiral processing temperature. Just before adding the developer, pour off the water, which may also contain any dissolved anti-halation dyes. Dilute 1ml of concentrate A with 300ml of water (pro rata for other tank capacities. A medical syringe obtainable cheaply from any pharmacist aids measuring small quantities). When ready, add 7ml of concentrate B and stir. The developer will start to change colour immediately. Pour into the tank without delay and agitate continuously for the first 30 seconds, and for 5 seconds at 30 second intervals thereafter.
Pour off the developer at the end of the time, but retain it. It should now be a much darker brown colour. (There is nothing wrong with the developer – the colour change is an indication that the tanning and staining properties are working properly). Stop and fix, but for even better results and the best possible stain, use and alkaline stop bath and fixer, such as our Alkali-STOP and Alkali-FIX., which also give other archival and usage benefits. After fixing, wash off any extraneous fixer drops from the film, and pour back into the tank the used developer for 2 minutes with agitation at 30 second intervals. During this step, no development takes place, it is purely to enhance the beneficial stain. Discard the used developer and wash the film. A minimum 20 minutes wash can aid stain formation. Not great to the eye, it can be very significant in printing terms.
Development times for all films are approximately the same, except for ultra slow adapted copying films, or ultra fast low light films. Fine tune these times to suit your equipment and technique. If your negatives consistently have burned-out highlights, reduce development time a little, and if the highlights are flat, increase development time. Obviously you should not process an important film until you have carried out trials of this kind. For processing on graded paper use a normal time of 7.5 minutes; for VC paper use 9 minutes. For high subject brightness ranges cut time by about 20%, for low, increase by 25%. Zone workers should conduct their own usual film speed and development time tests.
Developing-‘partial stand’
Partial stand development is the technique we recommend for optimum results. Develop as described in the single bath technique described above, but after an initial 60 second agitation allow the tank to stand undisturbed for 2 minutes between each 5 seconds of inversion agitation until the development time in complete. The overall time will need to be extended a little – start with a 10% addition and fine tune from there.
Developing-two bath
This is carried out at 24 degrees C in small tanks. Anywhere between 22 degrees and 25 degrees is adequate with minor alteration of times. Both baths are made up on a 0ne-shot basis by diluting the concentrates 1:19 with water into two separate vessels (eg 15ml of concentrate to 285ml of water to make 300ml of working solution, or 25ml to 475 to make 500ml). The developer is very tolerant, and a degree either way will make no significant difference.
It is very important not to allow any of bath B to get into bath A in concentrate or diluted solution form. Take care with splashes, or for instance, when using a thermometer in each bath, and to use the correct cap on each bottle. All films take the same time regardless of make or speed except very slow technical copying or ortho films being used for continuous tone work. It is recommended that 5 minutes in each bath is given for a trial film. Results from this should be well printable, but the time can be fine tuned between approximately 3.5 and 6.5 minutes in each bath to achieve the kind of negatives that print easily on your preferred ‘normal’ grade of paper with your enlarging equipment. Obviously you should not process an important film without carrying out trials of this kind. Without using a pre-soak, pour in the part A developer and rap the tank base on a firm surface to dislodge air bells from the film’s surface. Agitate with gentle inversions/twists for the first 30 seconds, and then once every 30 seconds thereafter until bath A time is completed. Drain off the developer thoroughly and store if you intend to re-use. Do not use a stop bath or water rinse at this stage. Pour in bath B, agitate once (not for the first 30 seconds), rap the base as above, and then agitate once every 30 seconds until the time is complete. Pour off bath B and store for re-use. Please note that it is normal for bath B to be a strong brown colour on pouring it from the tank. Stop and fix as described under the single bath option. After fixing give a quick clean water rinse to wash away any extraneous fixer and pour bath B back into the tank, agitating at 30 second intervals for 2 minutes. Pour off bath B and retain if you wish to use it further. Wash and dry.
N- and N+ processing, two bath
Fine photographers working with the zone system who wish to control the contrast of their negatives during two bath processing to match their exposure for either low or high subject brightness ranges can best do so by varying the dilution while retaining the N time you have found to be correct for your equipment. You should conduct new tests. For N-1 conduct trials at 1:24 dilution for both baths. For N+1 start at 1:9 dilution for bath A, and 1:14 for bath B. Do not use bath B at stronger than 1:14 or streaking, fogging and negative unevenness is likely.
Push processing
Push processing is not recommended. DiXactol Ultra is not suitable for use with ultra high speed films such as Delta or T-Max 3200.
Working life and capacity
The developer has an exceptional shelf life, and the use of an inert gas spray in the A bottle after each use will prolong it’s life even further. Concentrate A is a pale pink or brown when fresh, and discolours to a distinct green hue when deteriorating. Concentrate B is clear when fresh, but may be slightly cloudy. The life of concentrate A should not be less than 6 months in reasonably cool conditions. Concentrate B does not deteriorate at all to any degree. The capacity varies according to dilution. In the two bath option, a further two films can be processed in each diluted amount using the same times if used within four hours. In the single bath option it is one-shot.
Please note that Monochrome Photography recommends using de-ionised or distilled water for all staining developers.
Caution
Always keep chemicals out of the reach of children and pets. Avoid contact with eyes or skin. The use of protective gloves is wise. Harmful by inhalation or if swallowed. In case of contact with the eyes, flush with plenty of fresh water and seek medical advice. Wash from the skin with fresh water. Seek urgent medical advice in the case of ingestion.
Liability
No liability is accepted by the maker and/or the supplier of this developer other than for the value of the developer itself if faulty. The maker/supplier will be pleased to replace the product or refund the purchase price provided both bottles are returned within 14 days of purchase. No liability is accepted for consequential loss or damage.