How that we have seen the formula in a Agfa ad era 1902.

I feel that it is only fair that I post the

formula, which most people already know. But there is a small secret that was missing. It is "lithium
hydroxide". I do not recommend using it. It cost $46.16 for 100g at Fisher Scientific, with 25g being
$16.45. Expensive. But the sources that I have came across, point to the use of it.

Due to cost, I recommend using Potassium Hydroxide, it will give a little higher pH than Sodium
Hydroxide, and it cost far less than Lithium Hydroxide. If you use Potassium Hydroxide, mix in the
whole 25 grams into the solution. The same with using Sodium Hydroxide.

Water 150 ml
Sodium Sulfite 90 grams
Para-aminophenol HCI 17 grams,is equal to 10 grams of p-Aminophenol base.
Potassium Carbonate 2 grams
Sodium Hydroxide 25 grams, add it to 100 ml of cold water.
Water to make 500ml

Mixing the formula:

First thing to do, is to ensure that you have all the tools, chemicals, and items needed to mix and
produce a good 500 ml of 1891 "Rodinal". Check all of your containers and tools, to ensure that they
are "clean and dry". Next, get four Dixie cups to place the chemicals in. Second, get two glass jars, a
deep pan, a empty 2 liter apple juice bottle/w cap, and cold water..., about 64 oz.. Pour enough
water in the deep pan to nearly fill it and measure 100 ml of water into one of your two jars. Next
measure out 25 grams of caustic alkali in one of your Dixie cups and pour that into the jar of 100 ml
of water. Stir the caustic alkali to make a solution, while holding the jar in the deep pan of cold
water, to keep the caustic solution cool. Or..., when you feel the warmth of the caustic solution,
place it in the deep pan of water, continuing to stir until it becomes clear.

Now place the caustic solution to the side. Boil 8 oz. or more of water, once it is boiling..., remove it
from the heat. Allow it to cool to 180 degrees F. Measure out the Sodium Sulfite, p-Aminophenol,
and the Potassium Carbonate, placing them in Dixie cups. Then add 1 gram of you 90 grams of
Sodium Sulfite to 150 ml of hot water, that you will later combine with your caustic solution; and stir
until dissolved, followed by the p-Aminophenol HCI, which is stirred until it dissolved. Now add the
remaining Sodium Sulfite, then the 2 grams of Potassium Carbonate.

Continue to stir solution for 30 to 45 seconds. Next, get the caustic solution and add it to the
reducing agent solution, placing the solution in the deep pan of water to keep it cool. While stirring
for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. The solution will now be partially clear.

Pour that solution into the 2 liter apple juice bottle, then add 100 ml of water, cap the bottle and
shake like hell for 1 minute. Next pour that solution into a 500 ml bottle and add water to make 500
ml.

Allow the solution to settle for 2 days. Do not filter at this time. On the second day, you will see that
residue has settled on the bottom of the bottle. This needs to be filtered, but if there is still items
floating about in the solution, do not at this time. Wait another day longer and check again

I use a paper towel, doubled over a container. It is the cheapest method. Just be careful in doing it,
or you can go to the market an purchase a coffee filter basket, with filters. This is the first filtering
and re-bottling the solution. So allow it to re-settle for another 2 days. Then filter again and top off
to 500 ml. You are done and the solution is ready for use.
To use AGFA "Rodinal" production formula, which spanned 1897 to 1940, replace the Potassium or
the Sodium Hydroxide with 8-10 grams of "Lithium Hydroxide".

If you use the white powered p-Aminophenol, you may or may not get rose color solution. In that
case, you may want to add a bit of eosine for color. Photography Formulary p-Aminphenol HCI, will
ensure that your "Rodinal" is rose colored.

Be careful in using some drain cleaners. Because some has metal in them. You may have to filter the
metal out, and that can be a mess and dangerous. I went to a local wine making store in my area and
purchase a bag of caustic soda pellets. Caustic soda is use for cleaning out wine barrels.