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I'm new to BTZS, but I've been using staining developers for some time. As Jorge has noted, the effect of the image stain on printing characteristics can be difficult to quantify by densitometer readings of film, first because of the potential differences in the ways the densitometer and the printing paper "see" the stain, and second, because of any variations in stain intensity from one film development to another. The first problem is overcome by contact printing film tests on the chosen printing paper, and the second problem is assessed in the same way. By contact printing the test films on our printing paper, and recording the relevant data, we can establish the relationship between the densitometer readings of our test films, and their printing characteristics, and by charting any variations between tests, we can assess the consistency of the image stain. In my experience, some staining developers are far more consistent than others. Staining developers that are made up in 3 separate, aqueous stock solutions, like ABC-Pyro, are the least consistent, while developers made up in a single solution of organic solvent, like 510-Pyro are the most consistent, with two solution developers having one part made up in a glycol solution, and the second an aqueous alkali solution, being only slightly less consistent than the single solution developers when distilled water is used for the working solutions. So, it seems to me that once we establish the relationship between our densitometer readings and printing characteristics, and are satisfied that our developer performs consistently, there is no reason that BTZS should be any less useful for staining developers than for non-staining ones. In fact, the best staining developers might be more consistent than a traditional non-staining, aqueous stock solution developer that slowly deteriorates on the shelf from oxidation. I know several photographers who use both staining developers and BTZS to produce consistently excellent results, but none of them use old fashioned developers like ABC-Pyro. Is it possible that the newest generation of staining developers are the first to be truly compatible with a sensitometric approach like BTZS?
Jay
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