Pyrocat HD Film Developer
Pyrocat HD is a semi-compensating, high-definition developer, formulated by Sandy King. The advantages of formula include greater effective film speed, shorter development times, consistent staining action, lower toxicity, and no streaking or mottling with reduced agitation.
Users have reported reduced printing times with UV light sources due to the different stain color, as well as reduced base plus fog density in rotary processors.
Pyrocat MC
Pyrocat MC is a high acutance developer formulated by Sandy King as an alternative to other pyrogallol based staining developers. Pyrocat-MC gives negatives of fine grain and full emulsion speed and is suitable for all types of development methods, including rotary, normal agitation, minimal agitation and stand development.
Pyrocat-MC is slightly more energetic (faster working) than Pyrocat-HD and gives very low general stain (Base+Fog) with very long development times, making it ideal when developing negatives to the high CI needed for printing with alternative processes.
Pyrocat HD Articles
An Introduction to Pyro Staining Developers on Unblinking Eye
Pyrocat HD Film Developer on Unblinking Eye
Testing Pyrocat HD on Unblinking Eye
How To Mix: Formulas, Data Sheets
Pyrocat Versions and Mixing Directions How to Mix Various Pyrocat Formulas
Preserving Pyrocat with a Wine Bottle Vacuum Pump
Pyrocat HD in Glycol (courtesy of Photographer’s Formulary) this is a pdf download
Material Safety Data Sheet (courtesy of Photographer’s Formulary) this is a pdf download
Pyrocat HD Development Times
Suggested Development Times for a variety of films and temperatures
Pyrocat HD Online Discussions
Alkaline Fixer on the Large Format Forum
Catechol, Catechin, Nomenclature, and Other Pyro Formulas on the Large Format Forum
Citric Acid Stop Bath on the Large Format Forum
Controlling Pyrocat Stain on the Large Format Forum
Grain Compared to Other Developers on the Large Format Forum
Pyrocat M versus Pyrocat-HD on the Large Format Forum
Pyro Developer – But Which? on the Large Format Forum
Pyrocat HD on Flickr
Sharp pyro developer that gives full film speed on the Large Format Forum
Shelf Life on the Large Format Forum
Staining Developers: a Conversation with Some Experts at View Camera Magazine
Staining Developers and Scanning on the Large Format Forum
Divided Pyrocat a 2-Bath Compensating Developer
Two-Bath Development with Pyrocat: a Simplified Methodology of Exposure and Development
Divided Pyrocat on the Large Format Forum (General Discussion)
Divided Pyrocat-HD for Rotary Development + Photo-Flo on the Large Format Forum
Divided Pyrocat HD on the Large Format Forum (Uneven Development)
Where To Buy Pyrocat HD
Pyrocat HD from Photographer’s Formulary
Make Your Own Pyrocat HD
Photographers’ Formulary – Bulk Chemicals
Artcraft Chemicals – Chemistry Supplies
Digital Truth Technical Data – Photographic Formulas & Chemistry
Unblinking Eye – Articles about Alternative Processes and Formulas
Sandy King
Sandy King Is a photo historian and landscape photographer, working primarily with large format and ultra large format cameras. He prints primarily with alternative processes, including carbon, kallitype and palladium, and is the author of The Book of Carbon and Carbro.
Sandy has a Ph.D. in Spanish Language and Literature, and taught for many years at Clemson University. His research focused on the history of photography in Spain, and he has published several books in the area of Pictorialism. He recently retired from Clemson University, but still lives nearby in Easley, South Carolina.