Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/02/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In a message dated 2/25/00 1:13:12 AM Central Standard Time, c.blaue@bmsg.de writes: << One last question: Could you give me some details about the TEC developer. I think it might be here in Germany (Leica-land to be on topic) not available. TIA christoph >> Sorry that I did not realize you are located in Germany. TEC is a product of Brandess-Kalt-Aetna Group, 701 Corporate Woods Parkway, Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061. Phone 847-821-0450. The company web page is www.bkaphoto.com I have used TEC since 1968 when TEC was produced by Plymouth Ethol Products in Chicago, Illinois. Mike Tatum was the number one marketing representative for Plymouth Products and he flew into Waco, Texas, to put on a demonstration of his products. He used only Leica equipment which impressed me since I had first purchased a Leica M-3, 50mm D-R Summicron, 35mm Summicron and 90mm Summicron while attending the University of Oklahoma. After playing shortstop for two years at OU, I became involved in sports photography and really enjoyed the Leica cameras even though most of the pros were still using large format cameras. Back to Waco. Mike put on a nice show and during the discussion it was revealed that TEC was just a revision of the Willi Beutler, a German chemist and photographer, formula that had been published in Modern Photography in 1958-59. It was easier to buy TEC in small (30cc) bottles than mix the Willi Beutler formula (metol, sodium sulfite, and sodium carbonate). There were two Willi Beutler formula with the first being a very, very dilute formula the second fomula just being twice as strong; ie., 5 grams of metol in the first formula and 10 grams of metol in the second one. It is my best understanding that a German photochemical company packaged the first Willi Beutler developer and labeled it "Blau". I believe the German company was Tetenal. At any rate, I have spent some time working on the TEC formula and knowing the make up of the two Willi Beutler formula, I have pretty well determined the formula for TEC. My formula provides the same contrast index as TEC when the same time and temperature are used. TEC is put up in 4 ounce bottles and does not last long after it is opened so once you have opened the bottle, divide the rest of the developer in small 30cc bottles. The Willi Beutler formula and mine are divided into A (metol and sodium sulfite) and B (sodium carbonate) so they have a much longer shelf life. The Willi Beutler and TEC formulas work very nicely with the other thin emulsion films. Should I be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to e-mail me and I will do my best to help. Don R.