Film Processing and Equipment Main Page
Beutler Formula
I purchased and gathered the following materials:
1 lb Sodium Sulfite
1 lb Sodium Carbonate (anhy)
100g Metol
2 one liter glass bottles (should be dark but I just put thick tinfoil around them)
1 graduated cylinder
200 ml beaker for mixing
24 little Ziploc bags (I measure out all the chemicals at the same time)
The actual formula is as follows, reprinted from Jack's Photographic and Chemistry Site.
Separating the solutions for storage extends the shelf life beyond 6 months. A working solution will last one month. I've been using this as a one shot solution but I believe you can get 4 rolls of 36 from 500ml of working solution.
Stock Solution A
Chemical | Amount | Units |
---|---|---|
Water (120°F/48°C) | 750 | ml |
Metol | 10 | g |
Sodium Sulfite | 50 | g |
Cold Water to make | 1000 | ml |
Stock Solution B
Chemical |
Amount |
Units |
---|---|---|
Water (120°F/48°C) | 750 | ml |
Sodium Carbonate (anhy) | 50 | g |
Cold Water to make | 1000 | ml |
WORKING SOLUTION, 1:1:10
Chemical | Amount | Amount | Units |
---|---|---|---|
Water (68°F/20°C) | 400 | 1000 | ml |
Stock Solution A | 40 | 100 | ml |
Stock Solution B | 40 | 100 | ml |
Total Volume | 480 | 1200 | ml |
Mixing Notes
Place the warm water in the storage container. Add a pinch of sodium
sulfite (this amount of sodium sulfite retards the initial oxidation of
the metol. If more sulfite is added, the metol will not dissolve). Add
the metol and stir well until all of the metol dissolves. Add each
chemical in order making sure each has dissolved completely before
adding the next. Finally add cold water to bring the total volume up to
1000 ml. Be sure to stir the solution after adding the final portion of
water to ensure that it is mixed thoroughly.
The use of an acid stop-bath is NOT recommended. Instead use
a one minute rinse in water. All solutions including wash water
D-23 Formula
Chemical | Amount | Units |
---|---|---|
Water (120°F/48°C) | 750 | ml |
Metol | 7.5 | g |
Sodium Sulfite | 100 | g |
Cold Water to make | 1000 | ml |
Same mixing instructions as Part A of Beutler. Working solutions can be straight, 1:1 or 1:3. Higher the dilution the greater the acutance. I find a straight mixture gives a nice soft feel to the image. The second bath is useful for boosting the shadow detail as long as the film has enough exposure.
Second Baths for Split D-23
I've used both these as after baths for a full D23 development with negs needing stronger highlights and contrast in dull areas. Also gives a halo effect to strong highlights.
Chemical | Amount | Units |
---|---|---|
Water (120°F/48°C) | 750 | ml |
Borax | 2 | g |
Cold Water to make | 1000 | ml |
(After Vestal 's Split D-76)
Chemical |
Amount | Units |
---|---|---|
Water (120°F/48°C) | 750 | ml |
Borax | 5 | g |
Sodium Sulfite | 50 | g |
Cold Water to make | 1000 | ml |
There three notable variations on the D-23 formula:
Stoeckler Formula
Chemical | Amount | Units |
---|---|---|
Water (120°F/48°C) |
750 |
ml |
Metol |
5 |
g |
Sodium Sulfite |
100 |
g |
Cold Water to make |
1000 |
ml |
Chemical | Amount | Units |
---|---|---|
Water (120°F/48°C) | 750 | ml |
Borax | 10 | g |
Cold Water to make | 1000 | ml |
Ansel Adams Formula
A Bath Chemical | Amount | Units |
---|---|---|
Water (120°F/48°C) | 750 | ml |
Metol | 7.5 | g |
Sodium Sulfite | 100 | g |
Cold Water to make | 1000 | ml |
B Bath Chemical | Amount | Units |
---|---|---|
Water (120°F/48°C) | 750 | ml |
Sodium Metaborate | 10 | g |
Cold Water to make | 1000 | ml |
Barry Thornton Variation
A Bath Chemical | Amount | Units |
---|---|---|
Water (120°F/48°C) | 750 | ml |
Metol | 6.5 | g |
Sodium Sulfite | 85 | g |
Cold Water to make | 1000 | ml |
Chemical | Amount | Units |
---|---|---|
Water (120°F/48°C) | 750 | ml |
Sodium Metaborate | 12 | g |
Cold Water to make | 1000 | ml |