[Leica] Adox ATM49

[johnbeeching at gmail.com (John Beeching)]

Dear Marty,

Thanks for this information.  I think ATM49 is the same as Calbe A49;
certainly, they have the same developing time on the MDC.  While I have a
lab at work and could easily get hold of chemicals, I have shied away from
mixing my own, not because of uncertainties because as a molecular biologist
I'm used to precise chemical work, but because in photography I want to
concentrate on results, namely photos.  Though I have been tempted to try
instant coffee plus household soda, but as I drink espresso from real coffee
I would have to go out and buy the instant!

With the ATM49 Tri-X I've done prints up to A3 and do not find the grain any
more intrusive that I do with Xtol.  I will try your Xtol plus Rodinal
sometime as the latter is a developer I also like and have to hand.  ATM49
is not expensive and in comes with packets to make up two lots of one litre,
which is convenient.

John

2009/4/22 Marty Deveney <benedenia at gmail.com>

> ATM49 is very similar, probably the same as AGFA Atomal, which I've tried.
>  Calbe A49 is also likely close.  I have no idea what you can and cannot
> buy
> off the shelf anymore, since I only really buy Xtol and mix everything else
> up myself.  Don't confuse Atomal with Atomal FF; they are totally different
> developers - the latter is a phenidone HQ developer.
> The formula for Agfa Atomal is:
>
> Package A:
> Oxyethyl-ortho-aminophenol 6g
> Pyrocatechin 10g
> Hydroquinone 4g
>
> Package B:
> Sodiumsulfite anhyd. 100g
> Sodiumcarbonate anhyd. 25g
> Potassium bromide 1g
> Sodium metaphosphate 1g
>
> Dissolve in 750 ml of water at 50? C.  Add cold Water to make 1 litre.
>
> It seems unnecessarily complicated to me.
>
> The o- aminophenol correctly is a silver solvent, not an active developer.
>  One of the Windisch formulae uses 0-phenylenediamine in a similar way in
> an extra-fine-grain developer where Metol is the main developing agent.
>  o-phenylenediamine is not an active reducing agent but is an effective
> solvent of silver halide.
>
> In my experience all the Agfa formulae lower midtones more than I want most
> of the time.  I was thinking that I would develop some photos that I will
> take in Prague later this year in Rodinal or Rodinal Special to take
> advantage of the dark look, but having seen this maybe I'll try Atomal.  I
> think  mostly I prefer Xtol for providing the finest grain with excellent
> acutance.
>
> You can also get a VERY similar look at much lower cost by adding 3 mL of
> Rodinal per litre of Xtol 1+4 or 1+5.  If you get fog or signs of
> infectious
> development due to lowering of the pH and activation of the ascorbate in
> the
> Xtol alone by the hydroxide in the Rodinal, add 1-2.5 g/L of borax.  This
> brings the pH back down while maintaining alkalinity and activity.
>
> Irrespective of the developer, the photos look great.  Keep at it,
>
> Marty
>
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-- 
John Beeching
http://johnbeeching.com/