HSDS Sheet for Pyro
510 Pyro is unique amongst developers as a pyro developer but also unique amongst the staining pyro and catechol developers as it is simply the finest grained developer to date without compromising film speed or acutance and has even better tonal separation than the other staining pyro/catechol developers - for scanning in the shadows and in the darkroom when printing highlights.
That's why at Firstcall, we believe it is the best of the various tanning and staining developers and offer the ultimate Holy Trinity of full speed, fine grain and acutance, which is so often compromised with other developer choices.
For UV based alternative prints, the proportional stain increases density for highlights. Hence, a more pleasing contrast is possible without using toxic chemicals like dichromate to increase contrast afterwards, which such chemicals also damage the print.
Plus, it is compatible with Jobo and other rotary machines, unlike other pyros/catechol developers - PMK can be of note as one that does not.
It's a highly flexible developer, used 1:100 to 1:500, with two main recommended development methods, for user preference to choose, with 1:100 dilution with almost 50 films having times. It also hardens the emulsion protecting it from damage.
But don't take our word for it. This is an extract from Andrew Sanderson's review on the developer:
''Over the years I have tried: Johnsons Universal, Ilford's ID11, Perceptol, Microphen, DD-X, Kodak's D76, HC110, Microdol-X, T-Max and X-Tol, Agfa's Rodinal, Spursinn developers, Peterson developers, Gordon Hutchings Pyro, Sandy King's Pyrocat, Caffenol, and Barry Thornton's two bath and DiXactol. Quite a list! I hadn't realised there were quite so many until I wrote them down.
When this new developer started to be mentioned several times in the various darkroom related Facebook groups that I am in, I was sceptical about the claims.
I processed a roll of Ilford HP5? the HP5 was a real surprise: The image's grain was finer than what I would expect from FP4. I examined the print closely with a strong lens and was pleasantly surprised to see the really fine grain and detail. The acutance is good, but I would say that negatives developed in Rodinal have a higher acutance. It was still impressive, though. Looking at the print, you wouldn't guess it was from a 35mm HP5 negative. One of the best qualities of this developer is its ability to give great separation in the brightest part of the image''.
In summary:
Tanning and staining properties - extreme fine grain and high acutance: finer and sharper than Xtol; better scanning tonal range
Proportional staining colour property - easier darkroom prints and more pleasing alt prints. The inbuilt variable low contrast yellow filter for highlights and not affecting shadows allows more stops of dynamic range possible at grade 2 on VC paper compared to an identical negative of the same composition and lighting done with, for example, D76 1+1. Increased density for highlights for alt prints. We have thus a negative triply optimised for the three different outputs, previously not possible.
6+ year shelf life, high dilution (30 rolls minimum per bottle), biodegradable
Times available for almost 50 films
Used by the Ilford Masters, master alternative printers, labs and countless hobbyists
It is recommended to be used with any odourless or alkaline fixer for best results, but you must not use a stop bath with it.
If you're a photography student, we know you want a film developer that is safe for developing, environmentally friendly and offers longevity and consistency of the chemistry. 510 Pyro meets all that criteria.
510 Pyro working solution, when at 1:100 or weaker, is considered legally harmless as it is so diluted at this point though there is still a risk of a user allergic skin reaction - no issue if you wear gloves which they should always be wearing, whatever the film developer.
