Pyrogallol developer with a very small tendency for staining.
| Ingredient | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Solution A | ||
| Potassium metabisulphite | 15 | grams |
| Pyrogallol | 15 | grams |
| Sodium sulphite | 60 | grams |
| Water to make | 1 | liter |
| Solution B | ||
| Sodium carbonate monohydrate | 75 | grams |
| Water to make | 1 | liter |
| Mix chemicals in order. | ||
To make Solution A, the sodium sulphite and sodium metabisulphite should be put into hot water at the same time and the solution brought to a boil. Boil for a minute or two, cool and dissolve the pyrogallol. The boiling increase the life of the solution and prevents staining.
To use, dilute 1:1:2 and develop in a tray for 4–6 minutes at 18.5°C. For a stronger negative, dilute 1:1:1 or omit water entirely.
As a rule, contrast and density may be increased by decreasing the recommended amount of water to dilute the stock solution by 50%–66%. Softer negatives can be obtained by using 50%–100% more water than is specified for normal results.