In 1950 there was a wide variety of developers and negative modifying agents available from Johnsons of Hendon for those wishing to carry out home processing of black & white films and papers . Apart from Wellcome's 'Tabloid' range, the following appear in the booklets on the Johnson Way to Better Photography page. Costs are for 1950, but some are 1953 or even later if the product was introduced at a later date. Johnsons also supplied (from 1949 ?) processing kits for the additive transparency DufayColor film, for 10s/6d (52.5p).

By 1970 the number of amateur products was much reduced, probably reflecting the move away from amateur home darkroom production of monochrome prints to taking colour slides or using merchant d&p colour printing.

AZOL

A British-made chemical derived from paramidophenol. Johnson & Sons sold 'Azol' even before their 1927 relocation from Finsbury to Hendon.

A highly concentrated developing solution for films, plates, lantern plates and all types of paper. It only requires diluting with water to be immediately ready for use.

The leaflet, opposite, gives film developing times for dilutions of 1:24 & 1:40 and advises times for dilutions up to 1:100. Bromide paper 1:24 and Contact Paper 1:16. The concentrated solution will keep for years.

Cost 100cc 3/- (15p), 200cc (22.5p), 500cc (49p). In 1965 100cc cost 4s (25p) and 250cc cost 6s.6d (32.5p)

A pre-1927 Johnson & Sons 'Azol' bottle found in the Antarctic.

UNIVERSOL
Originally labelled UNIVERSAL
It changed its name in 1952 or 1953.

One developer for all your photographic work. Prepared from a new and concentrated M-Q formula and contains Johnson 142 for prevention of fog and stains and Johnson 326, a wetting agent.

In daylight developing tanks dilute 1:15. Also excellent for contact prints producing rich, blue-black prints with a wide range of tones.

Cost 225cc 2/6d (12.5p), 570cc 4/- (20p). In 1965, 250cc cost 4s.3d (21.5p) and 500cc cost 6s.6d (32.5p)

FINE GRAIN

A developer that produces negatives capable of enlargement up to 10 or 12 diameters without noticeable grain. Each tin contains sufficient chemicals to make 570cc of developer, enough to process 5 or 6 35mm or 120 size films.

Cost of a tin to make 570cc 1/6d (7.5p)

METOL-QUINOL (M-Q)

Metol is methyl-p-aminophenol. Quinol is an abbreviation for hydroquinone.
Various products carried the generic M.Q label, viz:'M-Q'; 'M-Q Print'; M.Q Developer 468. Developer 468 introduced in 1953 with developer improver '142' and wetting agent '326', hence '468'.

In tins to make 2280cc of stock solution which is diluted 1:1 to develop contact prints or 1:3 to develop bromide papers or films.

Cost 4/3d (21.5p), 1953 cost 6/- (30p). Cost to make 570cc stock solution 2/9d (14p). Handy 'Pactums' dilute to 145cc and develop 36 contact prints, or to 570cc and develop two 120 films. Cost 5d (2p). Twin Pactums in 1953 1/3d (6p).

MERITOL-METOL

Meritol is a combination of paraphenylene diamene and pyrocatechin in molecular proportions, patented by Johnson & Sons Ltd. For small negatives a fine grain developer containing Meritol is recommended. Metol is methyl-p-aminophenol.

Meritol-Metol combines the fine grain properties of Meritol with the quicker action of Metol. Supplied in tins of powder to make 570cc or 570cc bottles of ready to use solution. Cost of tins 2/6d (12.5p) and bottles 3/6d (17.5p).

See MCM 100 instructions for developing times.

SUPER FINE GRAIN

Contains Meritol and produces negatives that can be enlarged 20 diameters without showing traces of grain.

Tins of powder that dilute to make 570cc of solution that develops 4 or 5 35mm or roll films. Cost per tin, 2/6d (12.5p).
See MCM 100 instructions for developing times.

MCM 100

Another excellent fine grain developer containing Meritol. Prepared to a special formula published in the Miniature Camera Magazine (MCM). The formula taken from the BJPA of 1952 is:
Meritol 16gms; Sodium sulphite (crystals) 176gms
Tribasic sodium phosphate 6.9gms; Borax 2.3gms
Potassium Bromide 10% solution, 2cc; Water 1 litre

The benefit is that it can be used diluted without loss of its fine grain properties. Tins to make 570cc Cost 3/- (15p)

AMIDOL

Amidol is 2-4 diaminophenol hydrochloride. One of the best developers for bromide papers, producing a rich black image leaving the highlights clear and free of stain.

Sold as small 'Pactums', each sufficient for 285cc of developer for bromide papers or films. Each Pactum cost 7½d (3p). Also in 28.5cc bottles at 3/6d (17.5p)

CONTRAST

Originally introduced to meet the demands of press photographers requiring a quick acting developer for both negatives and prints. It produces brilliant, sparkling prints, particularly suitable for reproduction.

Highly concentrated it may be diluted to obtain almost any effect. For bromide papers a dilution of 1:10 is recommended.

Cost 225cc 2/6d (12.5p) and 570cc 4/- (20p).

CHLOROQUINOL

For warm tones on all makes and grades of chlorobromide paper. Keeps well either in its concentarted form or after dilution. Invaluable to portrait & pictorial photographers for the production of warm tones from warm black to sepia.

Dilute 1:8 parts water. Less temperature sensitive than hydroquinone.
Cost for 225cc 3/3d (16.5p) and 570cc 5/6d (27.5p).

BROMIDE DEVELOPER

Johnson Bromide Developer is specially prepared for all makes and grades of bromide paper. It works rapidly and has excellent keeping qualities and possess a considerable degree of latitude.

Highly concentrated, dilute with 7 parts water.
Cost for 225cc 2/6d (12.5p), 570cc 4/- (20p).

UNITOL

Introduced December 1950.

This concentrated liquid fine grain developer introduced a new system whereby 1fluid ounce (28.5cc) of fresh developer could be diluted for use and the whole discarded afterwards. Grain fine enough for 12 to 14 diameter enlargement. Keeping properties of the undiluted liquid are excellent. Approx ½stop of film speed loss.

Cost for a 225cc, 8oz, bottle 3/6d (17.5p), 570cc, 20oz (1 pint) 6/6d (32.5p).
In 1965 a 250cc bottle cost 4s.3d (21.5p) and 500cc cost 8s (40p).

'Good Photography' magazine for November 1961 carried an announcement that Johnsons of Hendon had filled their one-millionth bottle of Unitol. This meant enough developer had been manufactured to process 16.5 million films in 10 years.

UNITEX

Introduced around 1956.

Suitable for all films but especially 'the latest high speed types'. Unobtrusive grain even at 'considerable enlargement' and the negatives are free from dichroic fog. The BJPA for 1957 (p 306) says "This developer possesses remarkable compensating qualities without loss of emulsion speed. It develops deep down in the shadows with a low fog level, and with prolonged devolopment does not tend to build up contrast with inherently contrasty emulsions"

Made up from twin packs of powder, each pair making 300cc of solution, though this full strength solution can be further diluted up to 20% for tanks whose capacity is not an exact multiple of 300cc. Four twin packs per box. The used solution can be stored and reused up to a month later.

Cost of four twin packs to make a total of 1200cc working solution 3/6d (17.5p).

CAPITOL

Introduced in 1953.

For use when maximum film speed is desired. Most films (but not all) show an effective speed increase of 200-300%. Johnsons did not recommend 'Capitol' for general use; it was a developer for times when a significant film speed increase was essential.

It was reviewed in 'Photography' magazine edition for August 1953 but, strangely, the reviewer used a film NOT recommended by Johnsons for development in Capitol. Johnsons wrote a protest letter which 'Photography' printed in full in their September 1953 issue.

To be diluted 1:4 or 1:7. Cost 225cc 3/6d (17.5p), 570cc 6/6d (32.5p), 2¼ litres 17/6d (87.5p).

CON-SOL

Introduced around 1953.

"The best print developer you have ever used." Highly concentrated; especially intended for the Photo-Finisher trade making contact prints. Produces fine blue-black images on all makes of contact papers and rich black tones on all bromide and chlorobromide papers. It offers a considerable degree of control during developing. It was reviewed in the BJPA for 1953 (p 255) who reported enthusiastically on its properties. Most economical, dilute 1:7 for contact prints and up to 1:12 for bromide papers.

Cost for commercial size packings: 0.5gallon to make 4gallon of working strength, 11s 6d (57.5p) and 4.5gallons to make 36gallons working strength, £4.16s.9d (£4.84p). Amateur packs subsequently became available; 115cc 2/6d (12.5p), 225cc 3/6d (17.5p), 570cc 5/6d (27.5p).

DEFINOL

Introduced around 1960.

An economical high definition developer for fine grain films in the slow and medium speed ranges. Such films, when developed in an energetic developer, give higher than normal film speeds and an apparent increase in image sharpness due to the Eberhard effect. Grain is fine enough for 20 at least diameter enlargements. Fresh developer is used for each film. The concentrate keeps well in reasonably full stoppered bottles.

The 1962 cost for 100cc was 3/- (15p), 500cc 10/- (50p).

SOLUFIN
(for information, my thanks to Michael Hope).

Introduced around autumn 1964.

The Johnson 1965 Year Book describes Solufin as a no compromise Extra Fine Grain Developer. A 'specialist' developer that does its job well. For the specialist photographer who knows what he wants. Does not adverseley affect definition, though 'Definol' is advised where high definition is required. Its effect on film speed is hardly noticeable.

Johnsons admitted the impossibility of concentrating a developer like Solufin to the same extent as Unitol. Hence the developer was supplied as a liquid concentrate in 250cc plastic bottles which made 600cc of working strength solution. Both concentrate and working strength were claimed to have good keeping properties.

The 1965 cost for 250cc of concentrate was 5/- (25p). Solufin seems not to have been marketed for long (available until spring 1968), possibly because of the market preference for high definition developers at the time (emulsions were inherently much finer grained than hitherto) and perhaps also to do with Johnsons becoming distributors (within 2 years) for Paterson's range of developers.

'142'

A developer improver.

Johnsons claimed that prints which under ordinary treatment would show signs of staining by chemical fog due to:

• over-prolonged development,
• use of a developer at rather higher temperature than normal,
• if the freshness of the paper is in doubt,

would be free from fog and stain if a little '142' was added to the developer.

Cost of a 115cc bottle 2/6d (12.5p), 570cc 12/- (60p).

COPPER INTENSIFIER

An ideal intensifier for use on weak negatives where only moderate intensification is desired. Also useful for toning bromide prints purple to brick red.

Available in bottles to make 850cc 2/6d (12.5p) or as a handy 'Pactum' of powder sufficient to make 285cc, cost 1/- (5p).

Illustrated is a Johnsons 'Pactum' Twin Pack of Copper Intensifier.

URANIUM INTENSIFIER

A simple one solution process which will considerably improve very thin negatives, adding density to the image, thus making it possible to secure good prints. Cost of an early 115cc bottle was 2/- (10p).

The picture of the bottle shown alongside (a later 100cc packaging) has been sent to me by Ron Camp, who remembers using it 40 years ago after acquiring it (unopened) from a school friend around 1963. It probably cost around 3/- (15p) at that time. Ron recalls using it to intensify some very under-exposed negatives and remembers the resulting reddish-brown colour of the intensified negatives.

FARMER'S REDUCER

To remove slight fog from normal or line negatives or to increase the contrast of a dense flat negative. Use either as a one solution or two solution process.

'Pactum' containing two packets of powder, each to be dissolved separately, to make 145cc of the two solutions. Cost 7½d (3p).

In 'The Johnson Photographic Year Book 1962', the list of chemicals available to the amateur for home darkroom d&p remains much as set out above and the costs have been well controlled, typically showing a 20-30% increase.

Some rationalisation has taken place. The 'Super Fine Grain', 'MCM 100' and 'Chloroquinol' developers have seemingly been abandoned and 'Fine Grain' remains as the only Wellcome 'Tabloid' left in the range.

A 'Chromium Intensifier' has been introduced, 100cc for 3/- (15p). The 1962 Year Book also mentions the Ferraniacolor (slide) Processing Outfit, sold in 2 Parts, each 5/6d (27.5p, the same price since its introduction in 1956), plus many 'Developing Agents and Special Chemicals for Colour Processing'.

For spring 1968, a new label design was created for Johnson Chemicals. To avoid any possible confusion in the darkroom all the fixing preparations were given a BLUE background label. Under a darkroom lamp this colour appeared very dark. General purpose developers (film & print) retained the familiar ORANGE label, appearing quite light under an orange darkroom (printing paper) safe lamp. Develeopers for negative materials only (like Unitol) received a RED background colour label. Other darkroom products, like glazing solutions, dri-mount, film cement etc, which have nothing to do with developing and fixing, received GREEN labels.

The chemical range at this time comprised (film developers) Definol, Solufin, Unitol, Universol, Fine Grain and (print developers) Soluprint, Universol, Contrast, Con-Sol, Bromide, '468' and M-Q (in powder form).

There was also the monochrome reversal processing outfit, '328' wetting agent, '142' anti-fog solution and an Anti-Oxidant Spray (A.O.S) inert gas to 'spray' into part-used bottles of developer to prevent oxidation.

Fixers compriosed of Fix-Sol and Redifix Rapid Hardener (both in concentarte form) plus Fixadon and Acid-Hypo (both in powder form). Speed Wash was a product that allowed films (5mins) and (fibre based) prints (10mins) to be washed in a fraction of the normal time.

By January 1970, the Amateur Photographer magazine carried the Johnsons of Hendon advert opposite. Only three developers are shown;

Universol, now costing 4/6d (22.5p) for 250cc and 7/3d (36.5p) for 500cc, an average increase of 80% since 1950.

Unitol, now costing 4/6d (22.5p) for 240cc and 8/6d (42.5p) for 500cc, an average increase of 45% since 1951.

SoluPrint, described as a professional 'Phenidone' paper developer now available in smaller sizes for the amateur. Long dish life and great latitude to enable just the right print contrast. Dilute 1:9 or just experiment! Cost 250cc 4/6d (22.5p) and 500cc 7/3d (36.5p).

A monochrome film reversal processing outfit is also shown, to be used with Universol developer and any acid hardening fixer. Cost to process 4-8 films 6/6d (32.5p). The formula had been made available for a number opf years previous and continued to be available (Information Sheet 110/C) even after Johnsons brought out their monochrome reversal processing outfit. I used such a kit around 1966.

It was reviewed in the Amateur Photographer issue for 16th October 1963 under the title "What's New?", when the kit cost 6/- (30p). AP calculated an overall cost between 1/6d to 2/- (7.5p to 10p) to process a 35mm film. They were impressed with the results and recommended its use with FP3 series II film.

But these weren't the only chemicals available. In the final 9th edition of 'Home Photography', which I believe dates to around 1970, apart from Unitol, Universol and a pack of powdered Fine Grain developer, Definol is also mentioned.

Johnsons had taken over distribution of Paterson products from R.F Hunter in 1967, and so Paterson developers are also being illustrated and promoted. In the 9th edition of 'Home Photography' a tin of Paterson's FX-18, a reusable fine grain P.Q. Borax (Phenidone and Hydroquinone) developer is shown and Paterson Acutol is mentioned alongside Johnsons' own Definol.

Paterson Acuspeed FX-20 (extends the speed rating of high speed films) and Acuspecial FX-21 (edge definition developer for slow to medium speed films) are also mentioned in the 'Home Photography' text. These Paterson developers appear in Paterson's own leaflet for 1973/74 but by 1985 the FX-18 and FX-21 have disappeared and Acutol is renamed FX-14. See this page for more detail.