15 November 2017
Dr. Roland F. Beers' Paper Developer: a paper developer with contrast control
A two-part formula that lets you control the contrast of photographic paper by mixing A, B and water in varying proportions. From the lowest contrast to the highest, with the same chemistry.
Laboratory and more laboratory. Luckily, I love it.
I had wanted for some time to play “Breaking Bad” in the Llumàtics lab. And I had had the Formulas de Digital Truth app on my phone for a while — a good collection of chemical formulas for making developers, fixers and many other brews, experimental or not, for photography.
Thanks to Alfonso de Castro’s recommendations I focused on the Dr. Roland F. Beers’ Paper Developer. Why this one? Very simple: I could buy all the components in Barcelona and, by mixing parts A and B in different proportions, get developers with varying degrees of contrast. One developer, seven possible contrasts.
The formula
Part A
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Distilled water at 52 °C | 750 ml |
| Metol | 8 g |
| Anhydrous sodium sulfite | 23 g |
| Sodium carbonate monohydrate | 23.4 g |
| Potassium bromide | 1.1 g |
| Cold distilled water up to | 1,000 ml |
Part B
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Distilled water at 52 °C | 750 ml |
| Anhydrous sodium sulfite | 23 g |
| Sodium carbonate monohydrate | 63 g |
| Hydroquinone | 8 g |
| Potassium bromide | 4.4 g |
| Cold distilled water up to | 1,000 ml |
Add the products in the order given. If you use sodium carbonate in anhydrous form, multiply the amount by 0.833.
Dilution table
Contrast is controlled by mixing A + B + Water. Grade #1 is the lowest contrast and #7 the highest.
| Grade | Part A | Part B | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| #2 | 7 | 1 | 8 |
| #3 | 6 | 2 | 8 |
| #4 | 5 | 3 | 8 |
| #5 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| #6 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| #7 | 2 | 14 | 0 |
How to calculate the volumes
To prepare the working solution, divide the required final volume by 16 and multiply by the value for each part.
Example: 2 litres of grade #6
2,000 ml ÷ 16 = 125 ml (base unit)
A: 125 × 3 = 375 ml
B: 125 × 5 = 625 ml
Water: 125 × 8 = 1,000 ml
Total: 2,000 ml
Example: 2 litres of grade #7
A: 125 × 2 = 250 ml
B: 125 × 14 = 1,750 ml
Water: 0 ml
Total: 2,000 ml
Where to buy the components in Barcelona
You will find the products at Químics Dalmau — the only place in Barcelona where I have found everything I needed without trouble.
Indicative prices from 2017 (VAT excluded):
| Component | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Metol | 50 g | €7 |
| Anhydrous sodium sulfite | 1 kg | €3.50 |
| Sodium carbonate | 1 kg | €4.20 |
| Potassium bromide | 250 g | €15 |
| Hydroquinone | 100 g | €8 |
| Distilled water | 5 l | ~€2 (any supermarket) |
The cost per litre of finished developer is far lower than that of commercial developers. And on top of that, you make it yourself.
The Beers formula is one of the developers we prepare and test in the DIY developers workshop. If you want to really understand what you put in the tank, come to the lab.