Bonderer
[size=4]I usually use a machine for RC paper. The advantage is that if I feel like it, have the time, or need a few photos in a hurry, I can just switch the machine on, wait for it to heat up, and get started.[/size]
[size=4]As I do it without regeneration, I kept running into problems because the paper didn’t last very long. I’d always leave it until the weekend, and by the time everything was done, the machine was empty and clean – which isn’t really the point. It’s actually meant to last a long time, which it didn’t for me.[/size]
[size=4]Bath developers do serve their purpose for a few days, but the result was often not what I wanted. [/size]
[size=4]I’m now trying something new; a friend gave me some to try and I’m positively surprised. It’s been in use since 13 February 2013 and is still delivering very good results, in my opinion. I’m now also using a special machine fix from Spur, which is quite acidic, designed for two-bath machines and very economical. [/size]
[size=4]I have a Thermaphot with a 2.4L solution capacity per rack and continuously variable speed.[/size]
[size=4]As soon as the developer has run out, I’ll provide more information and a breakdown of when, what size and how many photos have been processed.[/size]
[size=4]Of course, during development, you do need to top up with fresh solution due to evaporation and carry-over – not regenerate, just top up. I’ve only just topped up the fixer with a litre of fresh solution – the test strips aren’t quite that accurate when it comes to silver content. I could imagine, however, that the developer’s shelf life might be extended if I store it in amber glass bottles with Protectan when it’s not in use. We’ll see.[/size]
[size=4]For paper, I use ADOX, Ilford and Kentmere Multigrade RC.[/size]
Bonderer
I used it again today and in the middle of the week; it still works.
More to follow soon.
Bonderer
Last weekend I rushed through about 300 9x13 photos; it was the company party, a big bash including well-wishes from colleagues. It’s still developing just as it did on the first day it went into my machine.
ultra8
When regenerated, the Moersch ECO with acidic fix lasted 9 months in my machine. In my experience, that outperformed the chemical process as well.
Bonderer
Well, that’s it then; I stopped using it for the last time at the weekend – it’s a dead duck. It still undergoes development, but it lacks bite.
I prepared the developer about four weeks before I started using it.
I used it from 13 February to 20 April.
In total:
48 sheets 30/40
152 sheets 24/30
50 sheets 20/25
40 sheets 18/24
145 sheets 13/18
300 sheets 9/13
No regeneration; only carry-over and evaporation losses were replenished.
The temperature was set to 24 °C and remained fairly constant.
Only the price seems a bit steep at first glance, but if the batch lasts this long, the shelf life of the concentrate must be very high.
Paper Dur M from Spur will probably become my developer.
As for the Ilford machine developer, I’ve disposed of the concentrate from the last two bath fills – it had turned into a tarry sludge after a good year, despite the protective gas.
And for the naysayers: I didn’t get the solution from Spur, but from someone else.
Heribert is Scottish.
TobiasCallenius
Hi Analoger,
That sounds good. Do you happen to have any reference material comparing Paper Dur and Moersch Eco 4812? I was actually planning to use the Moersch in my machine – it’s well known for its durability – but is the SPUR developer better in that respect?
Best regards,
Tobias
Bonderer
I’m afraid I can’t help there; I’m not familiar with the Moersch developer. Price-wise, it’s likely to be in a similar ballpark, although Moersch offers smaller container sizes, whereas Spur starts at 5 litres plus a starter pack. If a friend hadn’t given me a tankful, I wouldn’t even have bought 5 litres just to try it out.
piu58
> In total, there were:
That’s nearly 28 metres?! So about 10 metres per litre. That’s certainly something to be very happy about. The total cost of the paper comes to at least €150. The developer can’t possibly be that expensive for that to make a difference.
ultra8
At the time, I wrote a detailed report on the development of the Moersch ECO. The article can be found on my website:
http://www.joerg-bergs.de/maschinenentwicklung/
Bonderer
The difference lies in the regeneration process; I didn’t regenerate the solution, but simply topped up the carry-over losses. It’s possible that regeneration would extend the service life, but I didn’t do that. However, it seems that both solutions offer at least similarly good long-term stability, which is a great advantage for the machine. My temperature was around 26°C and the fixer run time was 50 seconds; I also used Spur Ultrafix S extra-acidic for machines with a good service life.
Ultimately, everyone must decide for themselves whether to use it at all and, if so, which product to choose.
Nitrofunk
How do you perform the dilution of the Moersch 4812? 1:14, as specified?
Peter
