The DARKROOM COOKBOOK, Third Edition

FORMULA #69
Blue-Black Developer
Formulas 245
(Maxim Muir)
This formula gives either blue-blacks or rich, neutral tones, depending upon the paper. It
works best with bromide papers.
Water at 125F/52C, 750.0 ml
Sodium sulfi te, 180.0 g
Hydroquinone, 53.0 g
Phenidone, 2.2 g
Benzotriazole, 1.5 g
A white precipitate will form when the aforementioned ingredients are dissolved in the order
shown. This is normal. This is normal. Allow to cool to about 75F/24C, and then slowly add
the following while stirring:
Sodium hydroxide, 35.0 g
This will clear or almost clear the solution. Then add:
Water to make 1.0 liter
Dilute stock 1:5 with water. For less dramatic cool tones, dilute 1:10 or 1:15. The image will
appear almost immediately after the print is put into the tray. Do not prematurely pull the
print; develop for the full 2 minutes.
NOTE 1: The sodium hydroxide is not buffered and the solution will lose activity after 10–15
prints. However, the stock solution will keep for a month or more in a well-stoppered, amber
glass bottle. A good way to make use of this formula is to mix up 1.0 liter, then dilute 250.0 ml
of the stock with 1250.0 ml of water, make 10 prints, mix a fresh batch, and so on. Forty or
more prints can be made in one session in this way.
NOTE 2: Altering the amount of benzotriazole will affect the level of fog and print tone.
FORMULA #70
Cold-Tone Developer
(Bürki and Jenny)
Similar to Kodak D-72 and Defender 54-D, this formula produces a more pronounced blueblack
on some papers.