BEUTLERS B/W DEVELOPER

by Ted Peterson
One of the old time formulas for black and white film developering was Beutlers.
This developer was a fine grain developer and was used for many years. One thing that was wrong with it was that Beutlers was a two solution developer and no one made the solution A and B in a kit. When D76 and others came out, people stopped using Beutlers.
You can mix solution A and B in 16 oz lots and the cost then will be under $.10 a roll. This developer is a one stop developer so all the time you use it, the results are the same.
The chemicals are for sale by most good camera stores. They are the three basic darkroom chemicals so that you do not have to send away for them. The keeping time of solution A and B in separate jars is a long time.
Solution A: - - into 14 oz of water at 70 degree put in a pinch of Sodium Sulphite (Dessicated) and stir. This will remove any loose oxygen. Add 5 grams Elon (5 grams is 78 grains). Add 25 grams Sodium Sulphite (dessicated) (or about 3/4 oz + 58 grains) And then add water to make 16 oz. Stir well until clear and filter when all is dissolved.
Solution B: - - Into 14 oz of water at 70 degree add 43.5 grams Sodium Carbonate (Monohydrated) (43.5 grams is 1 1/2 oz + 15 grains) and then add water to make 16 oz and filter.
To use: -- (35mm) take 1 oz both solutions and mix with 8 oz of water. (120) take 1 1/2 oz both solutions and mix with 12 oz of water.
You can use this for two rolls if you want to, but most people will use once and discard. The cost for 1 1/2 oz of solution will be under $.10.
Most film will require about 8 min. in developers. Check it out first and set your time . With this developer you can change the asa speed by changing the time.
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