The DARKROOM COOKBOOK, Third Edition

206 THE DARKROOM COOKBOOK
D-23 was formulated in the 1940s it was felt that a minimum of 7.5 grams of metol were
needed for full development. In the 1950s, when Microdol was formulated, it was discovered
that less metol could be used with no loss in energy or capacity. As a result, many variations of
D-23 have been formulated, some using as little as 3.0 grams of metol.
Modifi ed D-23 Formula
Water at 125F/52C, 750.0 ml
Metol, 5.0 g
Sodium sulfi te, 100.0 g
Water to make 1.0 liter
Second Bath
For the second bath, use one of the following accelerators in 500.0 ml of water.
Borax, granular, 18.0 g
or
Sodium metaborate, 7.5 g
or
Sodium carbonate, anhydrous, 4.5 g
Borax produces the fi nest grain with the least contrast, metaborate produces medium grain
with low contrast, and sodium carbonate has the highest contrast, coarsest grain, and greatest
fi lm speed. For minus development, use borax in the second bath.
Development times should be from 2 to 3 minutes in the fi rst bath, with continuous agitation,
and 3 minutes in the second bath, with 5 seconds of agitation each 30 seconds.
Bob Ingraham of British Columbia recommends one inversion every 20 seconds in the
fi rst bath, and one inversion every 30 seconds in the second bath.
Extending time in the A bath will increase overall density. Increasing time in the B bath
will not appreciably alter the results.
NOTE: This developer may have a tendency to raise base and fog levels. If a problem occurs,
the fog level can be contained by adding a 10% potassium bromide solution to the A bath. Use
10.0 ml to start.
FORMULA #3
D-76H Divided Developer
(David Vestal)
SOLUTION A
Water at 110F/43C, 750.0 ml
Metol, 3.0 g
Sodium sulfi te, 50.0 g
Water to make 1.0 liter