I would like to ask if anyone has any personal recommendations for a 100 asa film that is well suited to the pyrocat hd formula. I am intending to trial this formula and would like to find a good starting point.

I guess maximum image stain is an important criteria, I have been considering fp4+, delta 100 and possibly fuji acros as possible candidates but am not sure which to try. I have used fp4+ in pmk and been happy with the results but the reciprocity characteristics of acros are very attractive. Any opinions on the various qualities of these films in pyrocat-hd would be greatly appreciated. thanks,

Matt Stanton

-- matthew stanton (stantos75@hotmail.com), June 05, 2002

Answers

Matt, I've used both Delta 100 and Acros in Pyrocat-HD. Both look very good in it. Also, TMX is a fine choice. I do not like FP4+ in Pyrocat-HD. I found its tonality harsh in this soup. However, it matches well with PMK.

What film would I recommend in Pyrocat-HD? If you value midrange separation and tonal richness, TMX is tough to beat. If you want smooth, creamy highlights, with great separation, try Delta 100. Acros seems to have a bit of both film's strengths, although it does not quite equal either in their respective strengths. Nonetheless, were I to choose one film, it would be Acros based on its overall balance of properties and its great reciprocity characteristics.

-- Ted Kaufman (writercrmp@aol.com), June 05, 2002.

For maximum stain, get some Verichrome Pan before they take it off the market. I like T-Max 100 very much, but I don't think it stains as well as VP.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edb@unblinkingeye.com), June 05, 2002.

Thanks for the responses, Acros does sound like a good option overall in terms of compromise between the tmax and delta films. Ted, have you got any starter times for acros in this soup? Also I was curious about trying an old tech film in the pyrocat developer just for comparison. Although i would love to get my hands on some verichrome pan I have never seen it anywhere in australia so i was thinking plus-x might be a good alternative any opinions on this Ed ?

-- matthew stanton (stantos75@hotmail.com), June 05, 2002.

I have rarely ever used Plus-X, but I suspect it would have stain characteristics similar to VP.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edb@unblinkingeye.com), June 05, 2002.

If you really want to use a conventional type film, try FP4+ or Fuji Neopan 100. Both are fine conventional films and better than Plus-x.

As for developing times, I use a Uniroller to process my 4x5, so I don't times will help much. Using trays or tanks, Pyrocat-HD times are pretty much the same as PMK. For Acros I'd recommend you start with 13 minutes @ 70 degrees.

-- Ted Kaufman (writercrmp@aol.com), June 05, 2002.

It just dawned on me that if you want to see lots of stain, try HP5+. It's looks great in Pyrocat-HD and PMK. Delta 400 is also an excellent choice.

-- Ted Kaufman (writercrmp@aol.com), June 05, 2002.