Tests were conducted to evaluate Kodak MX-857 and MX-641 chemistry systems for use with film Type 2485 to be used in the dim light experiments on Apollo 16. The test program objectives were to:  (1) retain a minimum ASA speed of at least 4000; (2) maintain a base-plus-fog level of 0.21 density units or less; and (3) minimize the granularity but do not exceed the granularity level of the Apollo 15 imagery. Test results on the Versamat processor indicate that the use of MX-857 chemistry is preferred over MX-641 chemistry in satisfying the stated test objectives

Bourque, P. F.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

TR 72--2
TECHNICAL REPORT NASA CR-
COMPARISON OF MX-857 versus MX-641 CHEMISTRIES
for
TYPE 2485 FILM
Prepared Under
Task Order HT-39
(Contract NAS 9-11500)
Written by
Paul F. Bourque
Photoscientist
May 3, 1972
(NASA-CR-141491) COMPARISON OF MX-857 N75-15933
VERSUS MX-641 CHEMISTRIES FOR TYPE 2485 FILM
(Technicolor Graphic Services, Inc.) 17 p
HC $3.25 CSCL 14E Unclas
_ G3/_ __ 35 08904
Photographic Technology Division
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Manned Spacecraft Center
Houston, Texas
[1 Technicolor Graphic Services, Inc.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19750007861 2020-03-23T01:04:33+00:00Z
Comparison of MX-857 versus MX-641 Chemistries
for
Type 2485 Film
This Report has been reviewed
and is approved.
ohn R. Bri mnn, Chief
otographic Technology Division
Noel T. Lamar
Technical Monitor
SUMMARY
Tests were conducted to evaluate Kodak MX-857 and MX-641
chemistry systems for use with Film Type 2485 to be used in
the dim light experiments on Apollo 16.
The test program objectives were:
1. Retain a minimum ASA speed of at least 4000.
2. Maintain a base-plus-fog level of 0.21 density units
or less.
3. Minimize the granularity but do not exceed the gran-
ularity level of the Apollo 15 imagery.
All tests in this series were conducted on the Versamat
black and white processor and/or the Hi-Speed color processor
reconfigured for black and white film.
Tests results on the Versamat processor indicate that the
use of MX-857 chemistry is preferred over MX-641 chemistry
in satisfying the stated test objectives. Additional tests
showed that the MX-857 chemistry used in the Hi-Speed processor
gave results comparable to those obtained for the same chem-
istry in the Versamat.
Comparison tests-were also run with the chemistry-machine
configuration (D-19/Hi-Speed processor) used for the Type
2485 film from the Apollo 15 mission. Results of these tests
indicate that no advantage would be gained by utilizing MX-
857 chemistry rather than D-19 chemistry.
SECTION I
INTRODUCTION
Certification requirements for Apollo Flight Film Type2485 to be used in the dim light experiments on AS-16 are:
1. Retain a minimum ASA speed of at least 4000.
2. Maintain a base-plus-fog level of 0.21 density
units or less.
3. Minimize the granularity but do not exceed the granu-
larity level of the Apollo 15 imagery.
Prior to certification of a processor chemistry-machine
configuration for Film Type 2485, a series of tests were
undertaken to evaluate Kodak chemistry systems, MX-857 andMX-641.
Further tests were undertaken to compare the results of
this evaluation with the certification configuration which
had been used for the same film type from the previous Apollo
mission.
SECTION II
TEST PROCEDURES
In order to perform the evaluation, a time-gammna
series was run utilizing the prime Apollo mission process-
ing machines for Film Type 2485, i.e. the Kodak Versamat
11C-M and the Hi-Speed Color Processor (converted to a
black and white configuration). Recommended procedures by
Kodak for MX-857 chemistry in a Versamat 11C-M processor
were used for a range of transport speeds and temperatures
in each machine, to determine the operational parameters
for the test. Table I depicts the process parameters chosen,
Where possible, each variable was cross-matched for full
testing.
Although not shown in Table I, previous data obtained
in the Hi-Speed processor concerning D-19 chemistry was
correlated with the results obtained from the MX-857 test
runs.
2
TABLE I
PROCESS PARAMETERS
Processor Versamat Hi-Speed
Configuration 1 tank; 2 tanks Black and white
Developer MX-857; MX-641 MX-857
Process Time 3,4,5,6,8 fpm 7,8,9 minutes
Developer Temps. 800F., 900F., 98 F. 800F., 850F., 900F.
3
SECTION III
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
A. Results
Versamat Process:
Figures 1 and 2 represent the results obtained by using
the recommendations from Kodak on processing Film Type 2485
in MX-857 developer in a Versamat 11C-M processor (Figure 3).
The test results do not correlate with the base line data
supplied to PTD. The most dramatic deviations are that the
process gammas are higher and base-plus-fog characteristics
are lower for the "equivalent" machine speeds and temperature.
Without further information from Kodak, the most obvious
conclusion is that the differences are primarily due to the
different emulsions and the variability between processing
machines.
The results of the MX-641 developer tests (Figures 4
and 5) for the same temperature and processor speeds, indi-
cate that the use of MX-857 is preferable. The resultant
higher base-plus-fog for equivalent gammas with a slightly
higher toe speed is not an acceptable factor, since the
majority of the experimental imagery is recorded in the toe
region of the D-Log E curve. The granularity comparison
(Figure 9) of the two process systems again supports the use
of MX-857 in a Versamat for this emulsion batch of Type 2485
Film.
Hi-Speed Process:
Since two.of the three format sizes of Film Type 2485
on previous Apollo missions has been processed in D-19 chem-
istry in the Hi-Speed film processor, it was necessary that
the'new developer be evaluated in this machine as well. Com-
parative results were obtained between D-19 and MX-857. Both
processing machines were also compared, since the particular
film type and format size tested was compatible with both
processors.
The Hi-Speed/MX-857 test results were again different,
as expected, from those published by Kodak as base line data.
Since the Hi-Speed processor has a mechanical drive character-
istic which limits processing time variations, the times used
were based on "nominal" processing conditions for Apollo films
in D-19 chemistry.
4
Figures 1 and 6 show the differences between the
processors. The gradual changes in gamma (Figure 7) for
changes in process time were due to the minimal changes
in agitation rates.
Time requirements precluded a full time/gamma series
in D-19 or MX-641 chemistries in the Hi-Speed processor.
Figure 8 represents the D-19 data obtained from the Apollo
16 Film Type 2485 certification tests. The results indi-
cate a trend similar to that observed with IMX-857 in changes
in gamma as a result of process time changes.
Microdensitometry scans at similar density levels on
the D-19 and MX-857, Hi-Speed processed strips (Figure 9)
display similar grain characteristics.
B. Conclusion
In the final analysis, the result obtained with this
emulsion of 2485 as processed in MX-857 are favorable and
comparable with those obtained using D-19 in the Hi-Speed
processor; these results are much more acceptable than
MX-641 in the Versamat 11C-M processor. Due to the other
black and white flight films, which are to be processed in
the Hi-Speed processor incorporating D-19 chemistry, and
since both chemistries yielded similar results under the
test conditions, it has been decided to retain the D-19
developer as the prime chemistry for Film Type 2485.
C. Recommendation
With each emulsion of Type 2485 film that PTD receives
for future missions, it is recommended that similar analysis
be repeated to determine the optimum process conditions.
5
DA*TE 2<-16-2 CONTROL #/ TASK HT-39 PREPARED BY
2485 107-2
FILM EMULSION # MFG EXPIRATION DATE
EXPOSURE DATA PROCESSING DATA DENSITOMETRY
SENSITOMETER - -B PROCESSOR Versamat 1 C-M INSTRUMENT MacBeth SPEE D ( )
ILLUMINANT 2850 K CHEMISTRY MX-357 TYPE TD217DR D-MAX
IME._ SEC. SPEED TANKS F____ PM APERTURE SIZE M GAMMA_
ILTE R T.E D-, MP 'F 9 8 TIME FILTER Visulal BASE FOG
3 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21
CHEMICAL I .
ANALYSIS
NAL SIS .G8 ----- --- m---=:: =- -- : ---- : m .---- ---- =_--_- - _T --m 7- = ---u_-< -
SP GR
Figure 1.
TA
i.0 .. 3.0
21
19 -I 2.6 frp 2.
2.2
13 - ----- - -- i- 5 fpm a
18-.
12 2.
10 _fpm 1.8
a.6 -- 1.6
5 ON--77 -7/77
.0.
TachnLcolor -T
ABSOLUTE 
.2
LOG E
AT R.L.E. - 0
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DATE CONTROL 0 KODAK DTA TASK PREPARED BY
FILM - - EMULSION # MFG EXPIRATION DATE
EXPOSURE DATA PROCESSING DATA DENSITOMETRY
SENSITOMETER _ PROCESSOR Versamat 11C-M INSTRUMENT SPEED (
ILLUMINANT K CHEMISTRY MX-8 5 7 TYPE D-MAX
TIME _SEC. SPEED 2 TANKS _ FPM APERTURE SIZE MM GAMMA.
FILTER TEMP F 9g TIME FILTER BASE * FOG
3 5 7 1 13 is 17 19 21
CHEMICAL .T IrlJrrrm ti
ANALYSIS
3.8
pH
TA
-T- a.TRP 03.0
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20
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16
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AT R.L.E. 0 Figure
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S, COVRNMNFNT PRINTING '-FIPr 177 7 9?7/177
DATE 2-29-72 CONTROL # TASK ..fJL2 PREPARED BY
FILM 2485 EMULSION 0 107-2 MFG _. EXPIRATION DATE
EXPOSURE DATA PROCESSING DATA DENSITOMETRY
SENSITOMETER I-B PROCESSOR Versamnat INSTRUMENT MacBeth SPEED (
ILLUMINANT 2850 'K CHEMISTRY MX-641 TYPE TD217DR D-MAX
TIME 1//-OqEc I SPEED 2 TANKS FPM APERTURE SIZE MM GAMMA
5F5LTER 00SCU-1.0D 98TP "-- - IM Vsual
FILTER 500sC 1. N TEMP 'F 9 -TIME _ FILTER Visual BASE FOG
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21
CHEMICAL
ANALYSIS .0 --
SP GR -, 3.8
pH -- -_.
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AT R.L.E. - 0
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DATE CONTROL i TASK H39 PREPARED BY .
FILM 2485 EMULSION # (70mm) 107 MFG EXPIRATION DATE
EXPOSURE DATA PROCESSING DATA DENSITOMETRY
SENSITOMETER I-B PROCESSOR _Hi-Speed INSTRUMENT Ma c B e t h  SPEED(
ILLUMINANT 2850 K CHEMISTRY MX-857 TYPE TD217DR D-MAX
TIME 1/10 Ec. SPEED TANKS FPM APERTURE SIZE 2 __ GAMMA
FILTER SCI _.__ TEMP "F 85 TIME FILTER Visual BASE FOG
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CHEMICAL U H E9] JJ
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C = 7 minutes
___ 3.4
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Comparison of MX-857 versus MX-641 chemistries for type 2485 film

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