Ansco 120 Print Developer for Lower Contrast

Before multi-grade papers were in widespread use, most photographic papers were manufactured in fixed contrast grades. A user would purchase a box of Grade 2 for "normal" printing, a box of Grade 1 for lower contrast,  and a box of Grade 3 when more contrast was needed.

There were times when lower contrast was needed that couldn't be accommodated by simply changing paper grade. For example, when printing an exceptionally high contrast negative, Grade 1 paper might still produce too much contrast.

For these situations, photographers often mixed a special developer to reduce the contrast of the available paper. Ansco 120 print developer was one such low-contrast developer, and it is easy to mix.

Ansco 120 - low contrast print developer

Water (125 deg. F) 750 ml
Metol 12.3 g
Sodium Sulfite (desic.) 36 g.
Sodium Carbonate (desic.) 30 g.
(or monohydrated version 36 g)
Potassium Bromide, 10% sol'n 18 ml.

Cold water to make 1 liter stock solution.

To use: further dilute 1:2 with water to make working solution in tray. Develop print 1-1/2 to 3 minutes. Use half of the above quantities for 8x10 or smaller trays.

This formula results in about a one-grade reduction in print contrast when used with graded papers.

Use Ansco 120 in combination with another tray filled with Dektol developer to split between contrast grades. Develop the print in the Ansco 120 developer first, then transfer to the tray containing Dektol. Do not reverse the order or you will contaminate the Ansco 120.

You can weigh the chemicals beforehand and store each of them separately in film cans so that they are handy to mix together when needed. Don’t mix the dry chemicals together until just before use. They will decompose if mixed.