Digital BW, The Print

> -----Original Message-----
> From: jmoore172002 [mailto:jeffmoore17@...]
> Sent: Monday, August 04, 2003 9:22 PM
> To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Digital BW] Pyro Development for Negatives to be Scanned
>
>
> I apologize if this post is too much off topic.
>
> I am interested in exploring Pyro development for my 4x5 sheet film
> negatives to be scanned for Piezo printing. I shoot HP5+, process my
> film in a Jobo CPP-2 rotary processor, scan on a Polaroid SprintScan
> 45 Ultra, then print using PiezographyBW on an Epson 1280 and an
> Epson 7600. I plan on using the Pyro ABC (Rollo Pyro) formulation.
>
> This will be my initial foray into Pyro development. I have a couple
> of questions for any experienced Pyro users out there.
>
> 1) With respect to scanning, is the staining effect of Pyro
> development beneficial or detrimental?
>
> 2) Any recommendations for starting development times for HP5+ and
> Rollo Pyro?
>
> 3) In a rotary processor, should I pre-soak, and for how long?
>
> Any input from experienced pyro users is very much appreciated.
> Thanks.
>
Jeff,

I have been using Pyro in a Jobo CPA-2 for the last 11 or so years. I mostly
use  my own PBC pyro formula or occasionally PMK with the nitrogen blanket
set-up as described in Gordon Hutchings "The Book of Pyro." I insert sheet
film dry into the drum and use a single 5 minute presoak with tap water. All
the benefits of Pyro for enlarger printing seem to carry over to digital
scanning as well and I have not found any need to change my development. I
shoot FP4+ and Tmax 400 in 4x5.

I also develop 35mm and 120 film in reels with Pyro on the Jobo with
nitrogen blanketing. Works great.

I was not able to entirely eliminate mottling in the Jobo without the
nitrogen purge. The Chuck Farmer method Don mentioned in his post sounds
promising but rather time consuming compared to using the purge. I am not
familiar with the Rollo formula.

During scanning with a Howtek D4000 I use just the blue channel for 16-bit
grayscale to take advantage of the yellow image stain density. Occasionally
I will scan in RGB and play with the channel mixer if it is a problem neg.

Martin Wesley