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ILFORD PERCEPTOL, ID-11 and MICROPHENpowder developers have been formulated toexploit the full potential of conventional black andwhite film emulsions in all formats. Thesedevelopers enable ILFORD and other films to bedeveloped to optimise their individual speed andquality and show consistency in performancethroughout their long working lives.

PERCEPTOL is an extra fine grain film developerwhich gives excellent image quality. It is designedfor use when very fine grain negatives arerequired and a decrease in film speed is notimportant. It has been specially formulated to getoptimum results from high resolution lenses. Itexploits the superb grain structure of ILFORDmedium and slow speed films, 100DELTAPROFESSIONAL, FP4 Plus and PAN F Plus, andproduces significantly finer grain in ILFORD fastfilms, DELTA 400 PROFESSIONAL, HP5 Plus andDELTA 3200 PROFESSIONAL, compared with astandard fine grain developer.

PERCEPTOL produces excellent results with anylens/film combination and is therefore ideal whentexture and definition are critical - negativesdeveloped in PERCEPTOL are capable ofproducing sharper and better quality enlargementsthat those produced using a standard fine graindeveloper.

ILFORD ID-11 is a fine grain film developer for allgeneral film processing requirements where finegrain negatives are required without loss ofemulsion speed. ID-11 developer is recognisedinternationally as a standard in many fields ofscientific and technical photography.

ID-11 produces excellent results with all films andis ideal where a wide range of films and filmspeeds have been used. ID-11 ensures the bestbalance of fine grain, sharpness and tonalrendition producing negatives which allow a highdegree of enlargement.

ILFORD MICROPHEN is a fine grain film developerwhich gives an effective increase in film speed. Aspeed increase of up to half a stop can beachieved with most films but with faster films suchas HP5 Plus, Delta 400 Professional and Delta3200 Professional it is more. Many developersthat give an increase in film speed usually producea corresponding increase in grain size,MICROPHEN is formulated to overcome thisdisadvantage, the low alkalinity of the developerreduces grain size and grain clumping. ThereforeMICROPHEN is said to have a high speed/grainratio, i.e. it gives a speed increase while retainingmuch of the grain characteristics associated withfine grain developers.

MICROPHEN is particularly useful when usingextended development times to push process fastfilms such as HP5 Plus, Delta 400 Professional,Delta 3200 Professional and SFX200.

PERCEPTOL,ID-11 ANDMICROPHENFILM DEVELOPERSPOWDER DEVELOPERS FOR LOW VOLUME BLACK AND WHITE FILMPROCESSING IN SPIRAL TANKS, DEEP TANKS, DISHES/TRAYS ANDROTARY PROCESSORS WITHOUT REPLENISHMENT

FACT SHEET

August 2004

Mixing instructions Note Photographic chemicals are not hazardouswhen used correctly. It is recommended thatgloves, eye protection and an apron or overall areworn when handling and mixing all chemicals.Always follow the specific health and safetyrecommendations on the chemical packaging.Photochemical material safety data sheetscontaining full details for the safe handling,disposal and transportation of ILFORD chemicalsare available from ILFORD agents or directly fromthe ILFORD web site at www.ilford.com.

Preparing stock developerPERCEPTOL, ID-11 and MICROPHEN packscontain two parts, A and B, all are prepared foruse by using the same method. Always make upthe developer stock solution to the volume statedon the pack, do not attempt to prepare smallersolution quantities by using fractional parts of eachpowder, however larger stock solution quantitiescan be prepared by using multiples of wholepacks.

To prepare stock developer, dissolve the contentsof part A (the smaller bag) in about three-quartersof the total solution volume (see carton) of warmwater at about 40ºC/104ºF. Stir until most of thepart A powder has dissolved, continue to stir whilegradually adding the contents of Part B (the largerbag). Keep stirring until no more powderdissolves. (NB it is normal for a few grains ofpowder to remain un-dissolved.) Add cold water tomake up to the final volume (see carton) and stir.Allow to cool to room temperature, nominally20ºC/68ºF, the developer is then ready to use.

As most water drawn from pressure mains ishighly aerated, we advise that users draw off thewater they need and leave it to stand for a fewminutes before using it to make up developers.

Preparing working strength developersolutionsThese developers can either be used as the stocksolutions or diluted further with water to make 1+1or 1+3 solutions for “one-shot” processing.Prepare 1+1 and 1+3 solutions from the stocksolution directly before they are needed and stirthem thoroughly before use.

pH and specific gravityThe following table gives the pH and specificgravity (SG) for fresh solutions of PERCEPTOL, ID-11 and MICROPHEN developers. These figureswere obtained under carefully controlledlaboratory conditions and may differ slightly frommeasurements made by users in their own workingareas. Users should make their own controlmeasurements from their own accurately mixedfresh solutions for later comparison. Ideally a pHmeter should be used to measure solution pH but ifone is not available pH measurement sticks can beused. These are available in various pH rangesand those covering a range from pH 7 to pH 10are sufficient. SG can be measured by using ahydrometer and one covering the range from1.000 to 1.200 is useful for a wide range ofphotographic process solutions.

Developer dilution pH SG at 20ºCPERCEPTOL stock 7.68–7.82 1.110

1+1 1.0581+3 1.028

ID-11 stock 8.60–8.70 1.0901+1 1.0471+3 1.022

MICROPHEN stock 8.67–8.93 1.0951+1 1.0501+3 1.024

PROCESS SYSTEMManual processingSpiral tanksPERCEPTOL, ID-11 and MICROPHEN can all beused to process films in spiral tanks using eitherstock or diluted solutions 1+1 and 1+3. Therecommended developing temperature is 20ºC(68ºF). They can be used in the temperature rangeof 20–24ºC (68–75ºF) but the recommendeddevelopment times must be reduced if highertemperatures are used. Care must be taken withthe choice of dilution and temperature as veryshort development times with some films may leadto uneven processing

Before starting to process prepare the appropriatevolume of all the required process solutionsaccording to tank size and number of films to beprocessed together. The solution volume must beenough to cover all the spirals used. Check thetemperature of all the process solutions and adjustthem to be +/- 1ºC (2ºF) of the temperature beingused.

Add the developer to the processing tank. Tap thetank firmly on the work bench to dislodge any airbubbles which may be trapped in the processingspiral.

POWDER DEVELOPERS

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The following agitation is recommended for spiraltank processing with ILFORD chemicals. Invert thetank four times during the first 10 seconds. Repeatthese four inversions during the first 10 seconds ofeach subsequent minute of development. At theend of each agitation sequence tap the tank firmlyon the work bench to dislodge any air bubbleswhich may be trapped in the processing spiral.This method of agitation should also be used withthe fixer.

Drain off the developer 10 seconds before the endof the development time immediately fill the tankwith the next process solution.

Dish (Tray) processing (Sheet filmonly)PERCEPTOL, ID-11 and MICROPHEN stocksolutions can all be used to process sheet filmformats in dishes /trays at the recommendedtemperature of 20ºC (68ºF) +/- 1ºC (2ºF). Highertemperatures are not recommended as thedevelopment times may become too short andlead to uneven processing.

Before starting to process prepare the requirevolume of all the process solutions according todish/tray size used and number of films to beprocessed. The solution volume must be enough tocover the sheet film completely during processing.Check the temperatures of all the process solutionsand adjust them to be +/- 1ºC (2ºF) of thetemperature being used.

When dish/tray processing continuous agitation isused, immerse the film completely in the developerand gently rock the dish from side to side takingcare to avoid any spillage. This method ofagitation is used for all subsequent processingsteps. Continuous agitation reduces therecommended development times by about 15%.

Remove the film from the dish (tray) 10 secondsbefore the end of the development time and allowdeveloper to drain from its surface before placingit in the stop bath.

Deep tank processing PERCEPTOL, ID-11 and MICROPHEN stocksolutions can be used in deep tanks at therecommended process temperature of 20ºC(68ºF). They can be used in the temperature rangeof 20–24ºC (68–75ºF) but the development timesmust be reduced if a higher temperature is used.Care must be taken with the choice of dilution andtemperature as very short development times maylead to uneven processing.

Check the temperatures of all the process solutionsand adjust them to be +/- 1ºC (2ºF) of thetemperature being used.

Manual agitation for deep tanks The following method of manual agitation isrecommended with PERCEPTOL, ID-11 andMICROPHEN in deep tanks. Lower the processingrack into the tank and tap the rack on the edgesof the tank to remove any air bubbles. Lift the rackout of the solution and return it immediately. Tapthe rack again on the edge of the tank.

At the end of each minute, lift the rack out of thesolution, tilt it to one side and return it to the tank.Repeat this another two times, alternating thedirection of the tilt. Tap the rack on the edge of thetank after the three lifts.

The same agitation technique should be used withthe other process solutions.

Ten seconds before the end of each processingstep lift the rack out of the solution and drain forthe remainder of the time.

Alternatively gas agitation can be used but it isnot recommended when processing films onspirals. If gas burst agitation is in use thennitrogen must be used to agitate the developerwhereas air can be used for the stop bath, fixerand wash. Do not use air to agitate the developersolution. To set up gas burst agitation follow theequipment manufacturer’s instructions, if none aregiven then as a starting point set the gas pressureto 0.3–0.9 bar (5–14 psi) and the agitation cycleto 2 seconds gas on 8 seconds gas off.

Alternatively a lower rate of agitation can be usedof one gas burst every other second for elevenseconds in each minute but development timesmay need to be adjusted.

POWDER DEVELOPERS

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POWDER DEVELOPERS

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Care must be taken when using gas agitation asuneven processing may result with someequipment. Do not load the films to closelytogether as this will reduce the effect of thesolutions agitation.

The same amount of agitation but with air can beused for the other process solutions.

Gas agitation of wetting agent solutions is notrecommended as excessive foaming will occur.

MACHINE PROCESSINGRotary tube processorsRotary tube processors have very similarprocessing conditions to spiral tank processing byhand, except they process with small amounts ofsolution using continuous agitation and can bepre-programmed. PERCEPTOL, ID-11 andMICROPHEN can all be used to process films inrotary processors using either stock or dilutedsolutions 1+1 and 1+3 at 20ºC (68ºF).

Follow any guidance given by the processormanufacturer when adjusting process times forthese types of processors. However, generally wedo not recommend using a pre-rinse as it can leadto uneven development.

Without using a pre-rinse the given developmenttimes will need to be reduced by around 15% tocompensate for the continuous agitation.

DEVELOPMENT TIMESThe table of development times given here givesan appropriate starting point for PERCEPTOL, ID-11 and MICROPHEN when general purpose blackand white camera films are being developed.

The development times are for films rated at anappropriate EI rating for each developer andshould produce negatives of normal contrast,typically around a Gbar of 0.62. However theyare only a guide and may need to be adjusted tosuit individual processing systems, workingpractices and preferences. Higher or lowercontrast negatives may be preferred by some tosuit their individual requirements, adjust therecommended development times until the desiredcontrast level is obtained.

PERCEPTOL, ID-11 and MICROPHEN can be usedin the temperature range of 20–24ºC (68–75ºF).For processing at other temperatures increase thegiven development times by 10% for each 1ºC(2ºF) drop in temperature and decrease the givendevelopment times by 10% for each 1ºC (2ºF)rise in temperature. Alternatively use the timetemperature graphs below.

For example, if 6 minutes at 20°C/68ºF isrecommended, the time at 23°C/73ºF will be 41/2

minutes and the time at 16°C/61ºF will be 9minutes.

Tem

pera

ture

(°C

)Te

mpe

ratu

re (°

F)

New development time (min)

New development time (min)

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ILFORD films

Temperature 20ºC/68ºFTime in minutes

Developer PERCEPTOL ID-11 MICROPHEN___________________ __________________ __________________

Dilution stock 1+1 1+3 stock 1+1 1+3 stock 1+1 1+3Meter setting

DELTA 100 EI 50/18 12 13 16 7 10 15 – – –PROFESSIONAL EI 100/21 15 17 22 8.30 11 20 6.30 10 14

EI 200/24 – – – 10.30 13 –- 8 14 20DELTA 400 EI 200/24 10 12.30 18.30 7 10 18 5 8.30 16PROFESSIONAL EI 250/25 12 – – – – – – – –

EI 320/26 – 15.30 – – –- – – – –EI 400/27 – – – 9.30 14 – 6.30 11.30 –EI 500/28 – – – – – – 7.30 13.30 –EI 800/30 – – – 11.30 17.30 – 8.30 15.30 –EI 1600/33 – – – 14.30 – – 10.30 19 –EI 3200/36 – – – 19 – – 14 –

DELTA 3200 EI 400/27 11 – – 7 – – 6 – –PROFESSIONAL EI 800/30 13 – – 8 – – 7 – –

EI 1600/33 15 – – 9.30 – – 8 – –EI 3200/36 18 – – 10.30 – – 9 – –EI 6400 /39 – – – 13 – – 12 – –EI 12500/42 – – – 17 – – 16.30 – –EI 25000/45 – – – – – – 17.30 – –

PANF Plus EI 25/15 9 10.30 15 4.30 6 12.30 – – –EI 50/18 14 15 17 6.30 8.30 15 4.30 6 11EI 64/19 – – – – – – 6 9 14.30

FP4 Plus EI 50/18 9 13 17 6.30 8 17 – – –EI 125/22 12 15 21 8.30 11 20 8 10 14EI 200 /24 – – – 10 15 – 9 14 18

HP5 Plus EI 250/25 13 – – – – – – – –EI 320/26 – 18 25 – – – – – –EI 400/27 – – – 7.30 13 20 6.30 12 23EI 800/30 – – – 10.30 16.30 – 8 15 –EI 1600/33 – – – 14 – – 11 – –EI 3200/36 – – – – – – 16 – –

SFX 200 EI 200/24 14.30 20 – 10 17 – 8.30 15.30 –EI 400/27 – – – 14 – – 10.30 19 –EI 800/30 – – – 18 – – 14.30 – –

ORTHO PLUS EI 80/20 DaylightPictorial Contrast Normal – – – 8 10.30 16 9 11.30 13.30

High – – – 10 13 20 12 14.30 17EI 40/17 TungstenNormal – – – 8 10.3 16 9 11.3 13.3High – – – 10 13 20 12 14.3 17

POWDER DEVELOPERS

Non-ILFORD films

Temperature 20ºC/68ºFTime in minutes

Developer PERCEPTOL ID-11 MICROPHEN___________________ __________________ ____________________

Dilution stock 1+1 1+3 stock 1+1 1+3 stock 1+1 1+3Meter setting

Kodak Tmax 100 EI 100/21 12 13 19 8 11 16 8 11 16EI 200/24 – – – – – – – – –

Kodak Tmax 400 EI 400/27 11 12 17 7 10 15 7 10 15EI 800/30 – – – 9.30 – – – – –EI 1600/33 – – – 12 – – – – –EI 3200/36 – – – 15 – – – – –EI 6400/39 – – – 18 – – – – –

Kodak Tmax 3200 EI 400/27 – – – – – – – – –EI 800/30 – – – – – – – – –EI 1600/33 – – – 11 – – 9 – –EI 3200/36 – – – 14 – – 12 – –EI 6400/39 – – – – – – 14 – –

Kodak Plus X EI 64/19 8 8.30 12 – – – – – –EI 125/22 – – – 7 8 13 – – –EI 200/24 – – – – – – 6 8.30 13.30

Kodak Tri X EI 200/24 10 12 15 – – – – – –EI 400/27 – – – 7.30 11 19 – – –EI 500/28 – – – – – – 6 11 22EI 800/30 – – – – – – – – –EI 1600/33 – – – 12 – – – – –

Agfa APX 100 EI 50/18 9 – – – – – – – –EI 100/21 – – – 9 13.30 – – – –EI 200/24 – – – – – – 9 – –

Agfa APX 400 EI 320/26 14 17 24 – – – – – –EI 400/27 – – – 10 14.30 25 10.30 19 27

Fuji 100 Acros EI 100/21 12.30 – – 6.45 – – – – –Fuji Neopan 400 EI 400/27 10 14 20 7.30 9.30 15 4.30 6.45 9

EI 800/30 – –- – 8.45 – – 5.45 – –EI 1600/33 – – – 13.30 – – 8.30 – –EI 3200/36 – – – – – – – – –

Fuji Neopan 1600 EI 400/27 – – –- – – -– – – –EI 800/30 – – – 4.3 – – – – –EI 1600/33 – – – 6.3 10 15 3.30 – –EI 3200/36 – – – – – – 5.45 – –

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The development times for other manufacturers’films are a general guide. The specification ofthese products may have changed over time andas a result these development times may need tobe adjusted. If necessary the given times shouldbe adjusted to give the result required.

POWDER DEVELOPERS

STOP, FIX, WASH and RINSEFor best results it is recommended that all processsolutions are kept at the same temperature or atleast within 5ºC (9ºF) of the developertemperature.

Stop BathWhen using “one-shot” processing in small spiraltanks a water rinse can substitute for a stop bath.After development film can be rinsed in water butwe recommend that an acid stop bath is used suchas ILFORD ILFOSTOP (with indicator dye) orILFOSTOP PRO (without indicator dye). Whendeep tanks or dishes/trays of process solutions arein use a stop bath immediately stops developmentand reduces carry over of excess developer intothe fixer bath. This helps to maintain the activityand prolong the life of the fixer solution.

ILFORD Stop ILFOSTOP ILFOSTOP PROBath

Dilution 1+19 1+19

Temperature 18–24ºC 18–24ºCrange (64–75ºF) (64–75ºF)

Time (seconds) 10 10at 20ºC (68ºF)

Capacityfilms/litre 15 (135–36) 22 (135–36)(unreplenished)

The process time given for the stop bath is theminimum required. if necessary a longer time maybe used and should not cause any processproblems provided it is not excessive.

FixThe recommended fixers ILFORD RAPID FIXER andILFORD HYPAM liquid fixers and ILFORD ILFOFIX IIpowder fixer, are non-hardening fixers.

ILFORD Fixer ILFORD ILFORDHYPAM ILFOFIX II

& ILFORDRAPID FIXER

Dilution 1+4 stock

Temperature 18–24ºC 18–24ºCrange (65–75ºF) (65–75ºF)

Time (mins) 2–5 4–8at 20ºC (68ºF)

Capacityfilms/litre 24 (135–36) 24 (135–36)(unreplenished)

WashWhen a non-hardening fixer has been used washthe films in running water for 5–10 minutes at atemperature within 5ºC (9ºF) of the processtemperature.

For spiral tank use, when a non-hardening fixerhas been used, the following method of washing isrecommended. This method of washing is faster,uses less water yet still gives negatives suitable forlong term storage.

After fixing, fill the spiral tank with water at thesame temperature, +/- 5ºC (9ºF), as theprocessing solutions and invert it five times. Drainthe water away and refill. Invert the tank tentimes. Once more drain the water away and refill.Finally, invert the tank twenty times and drain thewater away.

RinseFor a final rinse ILFORD ILFOTOL wetting agent isrecommended as it helps films to dry evenly. Startby using 5ml per litre of rinse water (1+ 200),however the amount of ILFOTOL used may needsome adjustment depending on the local waterquality and drying method. Too little or too muchwetting agent can lead to uneven drying. Removeexcess rinse solution from the film before drying.

REUSING DEVELOPER WITHOUTREPLENISHMENTID-11, MICROPHEN and PERCEPTOL stockdevelopers can be used in spiral tanks or deeptanks without replenishment to process either anumber of films individually or multiple films inbatches.

The table below gives the number of 135/36 or120 roll films a litre of stock PERCEPTOL, ID-11and MICROPHEN can process provided that thedeveloper is reused.

Stock films/litrePERCEPTOL 4ID-11 10MICROPHEN 10

As each film or batch of films is processed itreleases halides and other by-products into thedeveloper that act as a restrainer on thedevelopment of subsequent films. For this reasondevelopment times will need some adjustment aftereach successive film or batch of films. To calculatethe adjustment a tally must be kept of the numberof films processed in the developer solution.

If a series of individual films is being developed ina spiral tank using 1 litre of stock ID-11 orMICROPHEN or PERCEPTOL, compensate for theloss of developer activity after developing the firstfilm by increasing the development time 10% foreach successive film, (see table below). This

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method of time adjustment relies on the useddeveloper, (250 -300ml for one film), beingpoured back into the stock bottle and mixed withthe fresh unused part of the developer beforeprocessing the next film. When using spiral tanksthis helps to give more consistent results byreducing the risks of problems due to solutionlosses and the restraining effect of the by-products.

ID-11/MICROPHEN1litre N N+ N+ N+ N+ N+ztock 10% 20% 30% 40% 90%

1 2 3 4 5 10N = standard development time

PERCEPTOL1litre N N+ N+ N+ N+ N+ztock 10% 20% 30% 40% 90%

1 2 3 4 nr nrnr = not recommended

When larger quantities of developer are in useeither for spiral processing or in deep tanksincrease the number of films that can be processedproportionally with the volume of stock developer,e.g. if 5 litres of stock ID-11 are being used thenincrease the development times by 10% afterprocessing every batch of 5 films. The followingtable shows for some common tank sizes thenumber of films that can be processed before each10% increase in development time.

ID-11/MICROPHENtank N N+ N+ N+ N+ N+volume 10% 20% 30% 40% 90%litres5 1–5 6–10 11–15 16–20 21–25 46–5013.5 1–13 14–27 28–40 41–54 55–68 122–13525 1–25 26–50 51–75 76–100 101–125 230–250N = standard development time

PERCEPTOLtank N N+ N+ N+ N+ N+volume 10% 20% 30% 40% 90%litres5 1–5 6–10 11–15 16–20 nr nr13.5 1–13 14–27 28–40 41–54 nr nr25 1–25 26–50 51–75 76–100 nr nrN = standard development timenr = not recommended

Reusing stock developer solutions can make moreeconomical use of them but it is not without itsdrawbacks particularly when small volumes arebeing used. More inconsistencies will be seen byreusing a developer than by using a freshdeveloper solution on each occasion. The timecompensation can only be an approximation tocover a range of circumstances such as film andnegative types, solution losses and its age, etc.For example, if your negatives are night shotswhich will be relatively clear when developed thenlittle of the developing agents will have been usedin processing them. At the other extreme if thenegatives are well blackened after developmentbecause they are of beach scenes in brightsunlight then more developing agent will havebeen used.

Overall reusing developer lowers image qualityslightly and increases the risk of physical damage.As the developer oxidises with reuse and storage,the risk of contamination is increased, precipitatesmay be formed and tiny particles of emulsion fromthe films processed previously may be held insuspension. In addition there is also a risk of misscounting the number of films that have beenprocessed by a batch of developer.

“One-shot” processing using stock or 1+1 or 1+3developers eliminates or greatly reduces theseproblems. One–shot processing is recommendedwhen image quality, reliability and consistancy aremore important than economy.

We do not recommend reusing diluted developers,1+1 and 1+3, always use fresh solutions on eachoccasion.

POWDER DEVELOPERS

We do not recommend push processing usingreused developers.

WORKING SOLUTION LIFEPERCEPTOL, ID-11 and MICROPHEN stocksolutions should last for up to:-

6 months in full capped containers 1 month in a half full tightly capped container.4 months in a deep tank with a floating lid. 1 month in a deep tank without a floating lid.

PERCEPTOL, ID-11 and MICROPHEN diluted 1+1or 1+3 should not be kept for more than 24 hours.

STORAGEAlways store chemicals in their original packagingand away from unsupervised children and pets.

Unopened packets of PERCEPTOL, ID-11 andMICROPHEN powder stored in cool and dryconditions, 4–20ºC (44–68ºF), will keepindefinitely. Once opened prepare stock solutionsimmediately.

AVAILABILITYPERCEPTOL is available in cartons of 1 litre.

ID-11 is available in cartons of 1, 2.5, 5, 10 and13.5 litres.

MICROPHEN is available in cartons of 1, 2.5 and10 litres.

A wide range of fact sheets is available which describe and giveguidance on using ILFORD products. Some products in this factsheet might not be available in your country.

02031.GB.www August 2004

ILFORD Imaging UK Limited, Town Lane, MobberleyKnutsford, Cheshire WA16 7JL Englandwww.ilford.com

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