Universal Equalizing Sharpening Developer
Silberra Ascorol developer is a universal single-solution (one-shot) concentrated developer based on ascorbic acid. It can be used for developing black-and-white photographic films and photo papers.
When processing photographic film Silberra Ascorol works as an equalizing sharpening developer, with low graininess, good light sensitivity and low fog levels; Ascorol also provides a wide gamma of halftones.
When used for processing photo paper, Silberra Ascorol provides good covering power and pleasant warm shades in the resulting image. Depending on the dilution, it can work as high acutance developer (1+49) or as high contrast developer (1+19).
Chemical Composition
Sodium sulfite anhydrous, ascorbic acid, 1-Phenyl-3-pyrazolidone, caustic potassium, potassium, potassium bromide, benzotriazole.
Preparing Stock Developer (mixing instructions)
Working solution is prepared by diluting the concentrate in distilled water while actively stirring. To prepare a working solution of a negative developer, it is recommended to use distilled water. Prior to dilution we recommend shaking the sealed bottle of Silberra Ascorol concentrate for 20-30 seconds.
To make stock developer for B&W film:
Dilute the concentrate of Silberra Ascorol to a ratio of 1+29 (i.e. 10 ml of concentrate to 290ml of water to obtain 300 ml of working solution or 30 ml of concentrate and 870 ml of water to get 0.9 litres of working solution).
Since the working solution of Silberra Ascorol is not reusable, it is convenient to prepare it immediately before processing the film and to the volume that you need.
For faster and higher contrast processing, higher ratios of dilution can be used (up to 1+19); for soft equalization and high acutance processing lower the dilution ratio to 1+49.
At least 5 ml of concentrated solution should be used to process 1 film.
To make stock developer for photo papers:
Dilute the concentrate of Silberra Ascorol to a ratio of 1+9 (i.e. 100 ml of concentrate and 900 ml of water to obtain 1000 ml of working solution). For faster and higher contrast processing higher ratios of dilution can be used (up to 1+4), for soft equalizing and higher acutance processing use lower ratio of dilution (down to 1+19).
Development Times
Average development time for most of black and white negative films at stock dilution (1+29) is between 10 and 15 minutes at 20C. Optimal times to process specific films are stated either by the manufacturer of the film or can be learned from the table of developing times at the foot of this page.
Development time for photo papers is about 2-3 minutes at stock dilution (1+9). In this case the developer provides a normal contrast. A higher concentration ratio (ie., 1+4) increases the speed of the developer and the resulting image contrast. Maximum densities are improved and the optimum development time decreases to 1-2 minutes.
If the dilution is weaker (up to 1+19), the developer provides lower contrast, higher acutance and the optimal development time increases to 2-5 minutes. In addition, a toning effect may appear.
Usage Limits
Silberra Ascorol working solution’s effective usage limit for film is 3x135 type films per 1 litre (or 2 films of 120 type per 1 litre).
Silberra Ascorol working solution’s effective usage limit for photo papers is 0,85 sq.m. per 1 litre (approximately 20 sheets 18х24 cm).
Storage
During storage, precipitate may settle at the bottom of the bottle. Precipitate doesn't affect any chemical qualities of the solution. As soon as working solution is exhausted it changes color to “toxic yellow-lemon”, which can affect the quality of the prints (when using developer for photo papers).
Keep Silberra Ascorol Developer in a cool, dry and dark place. Keep away from children. All the solutions should be stored in tightly sealed bottles, with low internal air volume.
Expiry Date / Shelf Life
Concentrated Silberra Ascorol Developer may be stored in its original sealed bottle for up to 18 months; after opening the bottle, the developer will remain useable for no more than 10 months.
Silberra Ascorol working solution doesn't have a guaranteed shelf life and must be used 7-10 days after the date of preparation. Unused Ascorol working solution for photo papers can be stored up to 3 months under correct storage situations; used working solution for photo papers can be stored for only 21 days.
Disposal Regulations
Silberra developers and fixers must be disposed of in accordance with the rules and regulations of the country they are used in. Concentrated developers could be toxic and may harm the environment unless disposed in appropriate manner. Silberra recommends to use special disposal services provided by correspondingly licensed organizations which are eligible for photographic chemistry recycling/disposal.
Development Times Table
| Developer | Film | ISO | Time, minutes | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascorol | Adox CHS 100 II | 100 | 7 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Adox Silvermax | 100 | 9 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Adox ORT 25 | 25 | 6 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Adox Pan 25 | 25 | 5 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Adox CHS 50 | 50 | 7 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Adox CHS 100 | 100 | 7 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Adox CHM 125 | 125 | 9 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Adox CHM 400 | 400 | 8 | 20C |
| Ascorol | AgfaPhoto APX 100 | 100 | 9 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Arista EDU Ultra 200 | 200 | 7 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Arista EDU Ultra 400 | 400 | 9 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Aviphot APX 200 S | 200 | 10 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Bergger Pancro 400 | 400 | 9 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Foma Retropan 320 | 320 | 10 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Fomapan 100 | 100 | 6 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Fomapan 200 | 200 | 7 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Fomapan 400 | 400 | 8 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Fuji Neopan 100 Acros | 100 | 7 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Fuji Neopan 100ss | 100 | 7 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Fuji Neopan 400 | 400 | 7 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Fuji Neopan 1600 | 1600 | 8 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Holga 400 | 400 | 8 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Ilford Delta 100 Pro | 100 | 8 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Ilford Delta 3200 Pro | 3200 | 11 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Ilford Delta 400 Pro | 400 | 10 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Ilford FP4+ | 125 | 9 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Ilford HP5+ | 400 | 8 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Ilford Pan F+ | 50 | 7 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Ilford XP2 Super | 400 | 14 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Ilford Pan 100 | 100 | 7 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Ilford SFX 200 | 200 | 10 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Ilford Pan 400 | 400 | 7 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Kentmere 100 | 100 | 9 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Kentmere 400 | 400 | 10 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Kodak TMax P3200 | 3200 | 14 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Rollei Blackbird | 100 | 10 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Rollei Ortho 25 | 25 | 6 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Rollei Pan 25 | 25 | 5 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Rollei Retro 100 | 100 | 9 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Rollei RPX 100 | 100 | 9 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Rollei Retro 400 | 400 | 10 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Rollei Retro 400S | 400 | 10 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Rollei RPX 400 | 400 | 8 | 20C |
| Ascorol | Washi - Z | 400 | 10 | 20C |
Push-process time multiplier:
1 stop = x1,5
2 stops = x2,25
3 stops = x4,5
Kodak TMax films
1 stop = standard time
2 stops = x1,33
3 stops = x1,66