PC-TEA film developer

Description

A high concentrate in triethanolamine: phenidone and ascorbate dissolved in an organic base rather than in water. Diluted 1+50, and it keeps for years because there is no water in it to oxidise in.

Why it lasts

Ascorbate developers in water live for weeks — oxidation is quick. There is no water in triethanolamine, so the concentrate is stable for years and the working solution is mixed immediately before use. That removes the main inconvenience of ascorbate chemistry.

What it does on the negative

Sharper than D-76 at about the same grain, with open shadows. The concentrate is thick and viscous — a syringe measures it better than a beaker.

Questions and answers

Why is the concentrate so thick?

Triethanolamine is viscous by nature. That is normal; use a syringe for accuracy.