Harvey's 777

[c6h6o3]

Correct! More accurately, UNDER-AGITATION. The person who claimed this fall off at 72F neglected to heed my Unblinkingeye caveat and warning about agitation.

Fred

The person would be me. I'll go back and read your article again.

In any case, I can't thank you enough for publishing that article. 777 gives my photographs a look that has eluded me for 40 years. I rarely use any other developer now. I hope BPI can stick around for a long time.

[Venchka]

Where exactly can one buy the Magical 777 developer? Bluegrass Industries only offers an adress and phone number online. Must I call them? The Frugal Photographer offers 1 gallon bags for the unfrugal price of $27. What quantity will Bluegrass sell? Price?

Once we settle that, I'll be back with particulars about storage and replenishment and agitation and Jobo tanks.

Thanks for all of the information. It's been fun. Now it might be time to get down to business.

Wayne

[RobertV]

777 is very similar to W665. 777 is using PPD while W665 is using OPD.

PPD is staining everything while this is not the case with OPD. Further OPD is less toxid.
One of the differences is that W665 is forming a solarisation layer which must be removed by Acetid Acid of Hydrochloric Acid.
W665 was after WWII sold under Perutz W665 and it's an ultra fine grain developer just like 777 is.
You will have some loss in film speed but in return you get very fine grained negatives back.
W665 is about €9,75 for a 700ml stock solution.

[Fred De Van]

Where exactly can one buy the Magical 777 developer? Bluegrass Industries only offers an adress and phone number online. Must I call them? The Frugal Photographer offers 1 gallon bags for the unfrugal price of $27. What quantity will Bluegrass sell? Price?

Wayne

I admit the initial price of 777 taxes my budget also, but it really is not that expensive considering at the very minimum the lifespan is at least a year. This is a gallon. A gallon of replenisher is good for about 150 rolls and many one shots at that rate, cost more. Last I checked the BPI price was about the same as Frugal, and yes you must call them.

It may be a bitter pill in some ways, but there is a need to maintain in business the good folk who continue to make these low volume, and rare products available. They should be thanked, not resented.

Consider the alternitive. Look at what has happened since Wal*Mart and Home Depot eliminated all your local made or owned, neighborhood, independent, purvayors of anything. The costs have gone way up, and the number of brands, the variety, your ability to make a choice, is less than a tenth of what it used to be. The prices in the sale flyer, and the huge jars of pickles are an illusion. The low volume, unadvertised items have gone up by 300% or more if you can get them at all.

I was a consultant to Kodak and Minolta, and serviced the photography needs of the business magazines when this market lunacy began in the photo biz and it was the consumer (except in the case of hapless Kodak) who let it happen. They responded like idiots unaware of their own self interest while they rewarded the excesses, greed and abuse of the wall street wannabe class who drove us into this irrational hole.

$6.25 a quart for 777, when you look at what is going on all around you, is nearly a bargain. Drop into the convienance store attached to any gas station and be aware that the bottled water costs more per gallon, than the gasoline.

Fred

[dbseney]

Hello:

Am thinking about developing Agfa Scala in 777. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Donald

[c6h6o3]

Where exactly can one buy the Magical 777 developer? Bluegrass Industries only offers an adress and phone number online. Must I call them?

Bluegrass has no e-commerce website and they don't take credit cards. So you have to call them, have them price your minimum 4 gallon case order with shipping and then you send them a check. I've found this process more than worth the trouble.

[RidingWaves]

I can't wait to try 777, perhaps in a new darkroom I could set up large tanks. How large of tanks are most of you using?

[surfotog]

Can someone supply the full name of BPI, and the phone number please. Thanks.

[Lee L]

Can someone supply the full name of BPI, and the phone number please. Thanks.

http://www.bluegrasspackaging.com/

[Venchka]

Thanks Fred and c6h6o3. It sounds like the 4 gallon case is less than individual 1 gallon orders. I will have to figure out how to store 4 gallons in my little apartment. Wine in a box bladders is one way.

Replenishment:
The Frugal Photographer says to add 1.5 oz per 36 exp. roll of film. I'm not sure that I loose 1.5 oz. when I develop a roll. If not, do I pour out a bit to make room for the full 1.5 oz.?
Pre-rinse: Currently I pre-rinse all my film for 5 minutes prior to developing in Xtol 1:3. I don't know that it helps. It doesn't hurt. 777 and rinsing the backing off: Good or bad?

From The Frugal Photographer:

"Agitation

Agitation during development has a marked effect on negative quality.
Continuous agitation is the only way to achieve exact repeatability and
optimum density. Agitation should be continued in stop and fixing baths."

I have the hardware and I like usung Jobo tanks and a Uniroller motor base. Good or Bad?

I really appreciate all the help. I won't jump into this overnight. I sneak up on changes like this. In the meantime, Xtol & Rodinal work for me. I plan to investigate Barry Thornton's Two-bath developer also.

Bluegrass Packaging Industries, Inc.
3651 Collins Lane
Louisville KY 40245
502-425-6442


Thanks!