Kodak D166 developer, solution for smoky vintage analog photographic papers
Making own developer, wow! From chemical ingredients, precisely weighing it out, mixing and keeping proper water temp... then excitement in dark room... will it work or not? will it? it does! I did it! Magic!
So let's do it!
Kodak D166 Formula
Formula according to official Kodak Chemicals Formulae Handbook from 1949:
English source that I've found has similar to above but half weight of ingredients than polish source. I've checked both and both works - difference is with a speed of development - polish formula (diluted 1:3) are little bit slower than english one, but both are fine.
| Polski | English |
|
woda 52*C - 750ml stosować w rozcieńczeniu 1:3 |
Water @ 125 F 750 ml
Elon 0.6 g Sod. Sulphite 12.5 g Hydroquinone 4.2 g
Sod. Carbonate 12.5 g Pot. Bromide 6.2 g Cool water to make 1.0 L
1:3 dilution
|
Kodak D166 ingredients
Wondering how to get elon or sodium carbonate? Try Ebay or similar store, more likely you will find one place where you could collect all ingredients together. If you don't, check my collection of dark room equipment for Kodak D166 developer - warm tone paper developer, specialist for smoky paper
Preparing Kodak D166 developer
|
|
 |
I mix ingredients in order as in formula, from right to left on a picture above. Every ingredient has to be resolved completely before adding next one.
Developer is little but cloudy right after making it, but after few hours become transparent.
I can offer you a hand if you are not interested in making D166 developer yourself, you can order it from me here: Kodak D166 developer - warm tone paper developer, specialist for smoky paper
Storing Kodak D166 analog developer
I stored D166 stock (no dilution) in light-proof bottle, without access to air (oxygen kills developer) for about two weeks and then used it (diluting 1:3) without noticing spoilage. Developer that was used during a very long printing session (about 12h in litter box) then poured back into a bottle (no light, no oxygen) - was useless for a next time. I think D166 when exposed to light and oxygen, breaks down much quicker than W14, so I'm not using it longer than for two, max three sessions, in total maximum 12h in litter box.
According to Kodak Chemicals Formulae Handbook expiration time for unused, not diluted developer is 3 month if stored in full, closed bottle or 1 month after opening (exposed for oxygen).
Good way to extend expiration time is to use a lighter gas injected into bottle to replace oxygen in it.
Kodak D166 usage
As displayed on above picture, reducing smoke is visible. Not exposed background is not grey, but white. Print at overall is not so cloudy, showing much more picture details (clouds and trees).
Also please be aware that this is a warm-tone developer, it isn't clearly visible on picture above (iPhone pixel sux!), but you will be surprised how nice it looks! I did.
Developer is much more slower than any I've used before (W14, Eukobrom).
Paper exposing time for D166 isn't much different to W14, maybe a bit more longer. It should be checked on every frame you wish to print.
Developing time - sometimes is much longer than classic recipes for 1,5 min. Sometimes after even 2 min there is no any sign of image. Don't worry. It works very slowly, but will be fine. Just be patient. There are prints that I develop even 5-6 minutes. Be careful - increasing exposing time to reduce developing time, in a case of old vintage photographic papers are not always good idea. Old papers have had kind of stains, you need developing time to align tones together, so if you will expose paper too much, your developing time will be too short to align all tones. Sometimes it gives very nice effect, try yourself! I think I will make a post about it someday, so stay tuned and good luck!
Leave a comment if you think I could do something better?
Share if you think it can help someone?
Kodak D166 developer, solution for smoky vintage analog photographic papers - related content
What do I needed in dark room?
For analog printing in dark room, minimum you need to have is Enlarger with cłock Red light, few clips and string Photographic paper, negative fi...
Why use vintage expired photographic papers?
Because they have a soul. If you remember golden era of analog photography, do I need to explain? If you are child of digital revolution, but you ...
What is the problem with vintage photographic papers?
Overexposed Can't do anything with idiots that have found a box of old papers in a basement, don't know completely what is it, didn't read en...
how to reduce smoke on vintage analog photographic paper?
What to do? First, try manipulate exposing and developing time. I have found that some of vintage analog photographic papers (especially documenti...
Guide to dark room
Analog enlarger with mask and timer, three litter boxes, developing tank, some water, red lamp and chemistry. READ MORE for beginning of new magic journey in analog photography.
 |
How to get analog dark room equipment? |
Guide to vintage photo papers
Is it worth to use old expired analog paper? Sure it does! Does forty (or more!) years old analog paper works? Sure it does! READ MORE how to expose it, how to develop and which one to choose?
 |
How to get working vintage paper? Visit photographic paper collection |
