Developer solution

Last revised by Raymond Chieng on 12 Aug 2023

Developer solution is used in the darkroom for developing (i.e. converting latent image to visible image) x-ray films used in conventional (screen film) radiography.

Components
  • developer: hydroquinone (for high contrast) + Metol or phenidone (for low contrast)

    • the developer itself gets oxidised and in the process reduces the exposed silver in the film to form metallic silver (black)

    • Metol was originally a brand name, and is short for "N-methyl-p-aminophenol"; it is not related to the word "metal" 2

  • alkali: to maintain the pH (at 10-11) of the solution for optimum work of developer 1

  • preservative: sodium sulfite, to reduce the oxidation rate of developer and dissolve its colored oxidation products into sulfonates (colourless) thereby increasing its life 1

  • restrainer: potassium bromide, prevents the developer from acting on unexposed silver (thus preventing fog formation) 1

Optimum temperature (20-22 oC) is required for developing.

  • if low temperature: increase the developing time to obtain a proper image

  • if high temperature: reduce the developing time

Usual developing time is 5 minutes at 29 oC, when done manually. In automatic film processors, these factors are taken care of by the processor and thus the image quality is more consistent.

Developing is followed by rinsing in water (for about 30 seconds) to remove the chemicals etc. before the film is fixed. This is followed by washing under running water and then drying.

See also

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.