Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester film produced by melt-extruding a polyester composed of a dicarboxylic acid unit and a diol unit, wherein 1 to 80 mol % of the diol unit is a unit containing a cyclic acetal skeleton, and the polyester film has an in-plane retardation of 20 nm or less at a wavelength of 550 nm. The polyester film is an optically isotropic polyester film which is easily produced by an extrusion-molding method and has an economical advantage. The polyester film is useful for production of optical members or optical products such as phase difference films, protective films for polarizing plates, light diffusion films, lens sheets, anti-reflection films and optical information recording media.

Abstract: A film contains a first polymer having a plurality of hydrogen bond donating moieties, and a second polymer having a plurality of hydrogen bond accepting moieties. The second polymer is hydrogen bonded to the first polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging element comprising an imaging layer having associated therewith a compound of Structure I: wherein PUG is a residue of removing a hydrogen from wherein X, Y, and Z represent substituents selected independently from the groups hydrogen, alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, cyclopropyl, aryl, arylalkyl, and heterocyclic groups, wherein at least one of X, Y, and Z is an aryl group and one of X, Y, Z, which may or may not be an aryl group, is attached in the direction of the backbone, and the other substituents are as defined in the specification. Such compounds have good reactivity and can by used to block photographically useful compounds such as developing agents until thermally activated under preselected conditions. Compounds according to the present invention are especially useful in color photothermographic imaging elements.

Abstract: A black-and-white photographic developing composition has improved stability and is more compatible with the environment when discarded. The composition includes one or more ascorbic acid developing agents and is essentially free of hydroquinone and similar developing agents. It comprises a mono- or disaccharide such as ribose, fructose, lactose, glucose or galactose as a stabilizing agent for the developing agent.

Abstract: A silver halide emulsion sheet for detecting track of charged elementary particles, in which emulsion at least one silver halide emulsion layer and at least one hydrophilic protective colloid layer are applied on both surfaces of a transparent support, and a compound selected from benzotriazoles is contained in said at least one silver halide emulsion layer.

Abstract: A black-and-white photographic developing composition has improved stability and is more compatible with the environment when discarded. The composition includes one or more ascorbic acid developing agents and a preservative (such as a sulfite) and is essentially free of hydroquinone and similar developing agents. It comprises an &agr;-ketocarboxylic acid stabilizing agent at a molar ratio to the ascorbic acid developing agent of from about 0.05:1 to about 2.5:1, and at a molar ratio to the preservative of from about 0.05:1 to about 6.25:1.

Abstract: According to this invention a developer has been disclosed having a low pH value between 9.6 and 11.0, preferably between 9.6 and 10.3, and comprising hydroquinone in an amount from 0 to less than 30 g per liter, an auxiliary developing agent, and as silver halide complexing agents alkali metal sulphite salts, preferably sodium salts, in an amount from 0 to less than 50 g per liter, more preferably to less than 40 g per liter, and thiocyanate salts in amounts from 0.1 to 3 g, more preferably from 0.5 to 2.

Abstract: Low silver black-and-white photographic elements, such as radiographic films, can be processed quickly using black-and-white developing and fixing compositions having reduced photoprocessing activity. The entire process is fairly rapid and effective despite the lowered concentrations of photographic developing and fixing agents. The processing compositions are more environmentally friendly because the conventional hydroquinone is replaced with an ascorbic acid developing agent. In addition, the processing compositions are free of ammonium ions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an organic/inorganic developer composition comprising a regeneratable iron chelate, novel codevelopers of the phenidone type including one or more solubilizing groups that are not directly attached to the phenyl nucleus or to the pyrazolidino nucleus and optionally ascorbic acid. These compositions are particularly useful for the black-and-white development of films or photographic papers, in particular for the fast development of radiographic products.

Abstract: A photographic developer which is improved in storage stability is disclosed, comprising a developing agent represented by formula (1) and a compound represented by formula (2). ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 are ##STR2## R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently are a hydrogen atom or an alkaline metal atom;formula (2)M.sub.n HAO.sub.3wherein M is a univalent or bivalent atom and A is an atom of the 5B group of the periodic table, except for N.

Abstract: A black-and-white aqueous alkaline photographic developer composition is described which is free of dihydroxybenzene developing agent and comprises a p-aminophenol primary developing agent and an auxiliary superadditive 3-pyrazolidone developing agent, wherein the p-aminophenol primary developing agent is represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, and R.sub.2, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or R.sub.1, and R.sub.2 together represent the carbon atoms required to complete a 5-membered saturated ring, R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an alkoxy group, n represents 0 or 1, and HX represents HCl or 1/2 H.sub.2 SO.sub.4.A process for forming a black-and-white photographic silver image comprising developing a silver halide photographic element with the black-and-white aqueous alkaline photographic developer composition is also described.

Abstract: A photographic developer composition is disclosed, comprising a reductone, as a developing agent and a compound represented by the following formula (1). The reductone is a compound represented by following formula (A). The processing method by use of the developer composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A processing composition for silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, which comprises at least one compound represented by the following formula (A), (A-I) or (A-II) and at least one compound represented by the following formula (B): ##STR1## Also disclosed are a developer prepared from the processing composition, and a processing method using the developer.

Abstract: A class of pyrazolidone compounds suitable for use as electron transfer agents in photographic development comprises pyrazolidones substituted in the 1-position by an aromatic group that is substituted in the ortho, meta or para position by --O--CO--R, wherein R is a monovalent organic group having up to 24 carbon atoms. This ester group is hydrolyzable in an alkaline developer solution, thereby deactivating the electron transfer agents after a period of time and reducing the contamination effect of seasoning into the developer solution. Photographic recording materials can be developed in reactive association with the electron transfer agent. The electron transfer agent can be present in the photographic recording materials, or in develper solutions.

Abstract: A method for forming a color image comprising developing an image-wise exposed silver halide color photographic photosensitive material in the presence of certain 6-aminotetrahydroquinoline color developing compounds or analogues thereof. A rapid process can be attained and an image of a low fog density can be obtained.

Abstract: The present concerns compounds of the 3-pryazolidone type comprising solubilizing groups which are not directly attached to the phenyl ring or to the pyrazolidino ring. These compounds can be used as co-developing agents in the development of black and white photographic products.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image formation process which comprises developing a photographic material comprising a silver halide emulsion layer, and a hydrazine derivative and a specific phosphonium compound of formula (1) with a developer which is substantially free of a dihydroxybenzene developing agent, contains a specific developing agent of formula (2) and at least one p-aminophenol derivative, and has a pH value of not more than 10, and a development process which comprises developing a photographic material comprising a silver halide emulsion layer, and a hydrazine derivative and a nucleation accelerator, with a developer having a pH value of from 9.0 to 10.5 and containing a first developing agent selected from ascorbic acid and a derivative thereof and a second developing agent selected from aminophenol and a derivative thereof, wherein a solution having the same composition as the fresh developer but a higher pH value than the fresh developer is used as a development replenisher.

Abstract: A developer for a silver halide photographic photosensitive material containing at least one of monocyclic dimercaptotriazine compounds, bis-type dimercaptotriazine compounds, mercapto-1,2,4-triazine compounds and dimercaptopyrimidine compounds, and a process for developing a silver halide photographic photosensitive material using the developer. The compounds of the present invention provides excellent effect in preventing silver stains without affecting the photographic properties of the photographic material.

Abstract: The invention concerns a developer solution for processing silver halide photographic products. This developer solution contains an ascorbic acid developing agent, a auxiliary developing agent which is a substituted phenidone and a development accelerator which is a thioether having an ammonium group, a triazolium thiolate or a substituted thioalkane.

Abstract: A solid processing composition for developing a silver halide black-and-white photographic light sensitive material containing a compound represented by the following formula as a developing agent, in which a metabisulfite, or the metabisulfite and a sulfite is contained in an amount of 1 to 50% by weight of the composition, a molar ratio of the sulfite to the metabisulfite being not more than 0.85.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic material is provided which comprises a support having thereon at least one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer wherein said light-sensitive layer or another hydrophilic colloidal layer provided on the support contains a compound represented by formula (I) and a hydrazine derivative represented by formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and each represents a hydroxyl, hydroxylamino, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, aralkylamino, alkoxy, phenoxy, alkyl, aryl, alkylthio, or phenylthio group, ##STR2## wherein R.sup.3 represents an aliphatic or aromatic group; R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, amino or hydrazino group; G.sup.1 represents a --CO--, --SO.sub.2 --, --SO--, --P(O)R.sup.4, --CO--CO--, thiocarbonyl or iminomethylene group; and A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 each represents a hydrogen atom, or one of A.sup.1 and A.sup.

Abstract: A one-part liquid developer for a black and white silver halide photographic material, comprising:i) an ascorbic acid or derivative thereof as a developing agent,ii) an auxiliary developing agent having super-additivity,iii) an alkali agent necessary for giving a pH of about 9, andiv) a compound for enhancing development.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for developing a silver halide photographic material, which comprises processing the silver halide photographic material having at least one silver halide emulsion layer containing silver halide grains, with a substantially hydroquinone-free developing solution containing (i) a compound represented by formula (A) as a developing agent, wherein at least 50% of the sum of the projected area of the silver halide grains are tabular silver halide grains having an aspect ratio of 3.0 or more, and said developing solution contains (ii) a compound represented by formula (B): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group; and ##STR2## wherein X represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, Y represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent group, and M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal ion, a quaternary ammonium ion or a quaternary phosphonium ion.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid developer for photographic silver halide photosensitive material comprising a silver halide emulsion layer containing at least 50% based on the projected area of tabular silver halide grains with an aspect ratio of at least 3.0 and having a swelling factor of 130-250%. In the liquid developer containing ascorbic acid or a derivative thereof as a developing agent or preservative, a compound of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is a C1-C3 hydroxyalkyl group or C1-C3 alkyl group and R.sub.3 is a C1-C3 hydroxyalkyl group is added for preventing the developer from coloring with the lapse of time.

Abstract: A solid developing composition for a silver halide black-and-white photographic light sensitive material is disclosed, comprising a developing agent selected from the group consisting of a dihydroxybenzene compound and a compound represented by formula (A), and the developing composition further comprising a compound represented by formula (1). ##STR1##CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.n --(O).sub.m SO.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed are 4-(N,N-dialkylamino)aniline compounds having a 4-N substituent which is a polyethyleneoxy group and which forms a condensed ring with benzene ring, such as aniline compounds having the following structure, a processing composition containing such a compound and a method for forming a color image with the processing solution. The aniline compound is useful as a color developing agent capable of having a low fog density and sufficient yellow and cyan image densities and suitable for the rapid process.

Abstract: There is described a method of processing silver halide photographic material in a processing machine using a developing solution which comprises either a hydroquinone type developing agent or a reductone type developing agent, together with an electron transfer agent as an auxiliary developing agent, and with at least one basic compound the anion of which is carbonate, sulphite or hydroxide, where in the presence of a compound of formula (I), Ar is an aromatic ring or heterocyclic aromatic ring which is optionally substituted.

Abstract: An image-forming process developing a previously image-exposed silver halide photographic material with an alkaline developer containing a reductone compound as a main developing agent in the presence of a 1,2,5-thiadiazole compound and/or a 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole compound, and the silver halide photographic material and the photographic developer being used for the process are disclosed. In this case, the 1,2,5-thuiadiazole compound and/or the 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole may be contained in the silver halide photographic material and/or the alkaline developer. Super high-contrast images for photomechanical process having a gamma of higher than 15 and having no pepper and less fog can be obtained.

Abstract: A solid processing composition in the form of granules or a tablet for use as a replenisher of a developer for processing a silver halide black-and-white photographic light sensitive material is disclosed, wherein the solid processing composition is substantially free from a dihydroxybenzene as a developing agent and comprises a cyclodextrin compound.

Abstract: A black-and-white developing composition includes as ascorbic acid developing agent, an auxiliary super-additive developing agent, borate buffer and a preservative. The composition pH is from 7 but less than 9. The composition can be formulated from two separately packaged parts that may be in dry or liquid form. The borate buffer is present to maintain the desired pH, and the two developing agents are present in desired molar ratios for optimal developing activity. Improved photographic properties are obtained while avoiding the use of environmentally unfriendly dihydroxybenzenes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making an offset printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process comprising the steps of:image-wise exposing an imaging element comprising in the order given on a hydrophilic surface of a support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei and (ii) a photosensitive layer comprising one or more photosensitive silver halide emulsions said photosensitive layer being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer,applying an aqueous alkaline solution to the imaging element comprising at least 0.05 mole/l of ascorbic acid as the main developer, at least 0.010 mole/l of an auxiliary developer of the class of the 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidones and an aminoalcohol in an amount from 0.

Abstract: A solid developing composition for processing a silver halide photographic light sensitive material is disclosed which contains a compound represented by the following formula (1) and a compound represented by the following formula (2): formula (1) ##STR1## formula (2) ##STR2##

Abstract: A photographic silver halide element, such as a radiographic film, can be developed using a black-and-white developing solution containing an ascorbic acid developing agent. This solution is replenished with a replenisher solution of basically the same components but the amounts may be greater. Moreover, the replenisher solution pH is from 0.1 and up to 0.3 pH units higher than that of the developing solution. Both developing and replenisher solutions are free of hydroquinone. Replenishment can be carried out at relatively low rates with less impact on the environment without sacrificing sensitometric performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging element comprising on a support in the order given a photosensitive layer comprising a silver halide emulsion and an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei in water permeable relationship with said emulsion layer, characterized in that said imaging element comprises at least 50 mg/m.sup.2 of tetramethyl reductic acid and at least 100 mg/m.sup.2 of ascorbic acid.According to the present invention there is further provided a method for making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of image-wise exposing an imaging element as defined above and subsequently developing a thus obtained imaging element by an alkaline processing liquid in the presence of developing agent(s) and silver halide solvent(s).

Abstract: A method of processing an exposed silver halide photographic light sensitive material is disclosed which comprises the steps of:developing the exposed material with developer, the developer being replenished with developer replenisher and the developer containing no dihydroxy benzene and containing a developing agent represented by the following Formula ?1!: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently represent an alkyl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group or an alkylthio group, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 combine with each other to form a ring, k represents 0 or 1, and X represents --CO-- or --CS--;fixing the developed material;stabilizing the fixed material with a washing water which is replenished with water replenisher in a replenishing amount of 0.5 to 2 liter/m.sup.2 or with a rinsing solution which is replenished with a rinsing replenisher in a replenishing amount of 0 to 2 liter/m.sup.2 ; anddrying the stabilized material.

Abstract: A method of reproducing an electronically stored medical image on a hardcopy material is disclosed, said material comprising a support and on only one side thereof a silver halide emulsion layer and a hydrophilic colloid layer, wherein said emulsion layer comprises red sensitized homogeneous cubic silver chloride, silver chloroiodide, silver chlorobromide or silver chlorobromoiodide crystals having not less than 70 mole % of chloride ions and preferably not less than 90 mole %; not more than 1 mole % of iodide ions and an average crystal size of from 0.12 to 0.30 .mu.m and more preferred from 0.15 to 0.25 .mu.m; wherein said crystals are coated in an amount, expressed as an equivalent amount of silver nitrate of from 2 to 6 g per sq.m.

Abstract: A developing composition for a silver halide black-and-white photographic light sensitive material is disclosed, comprising a compound represented by formula (1) and a compound represented by formula (2) or (3): ##STR1##

Abstract: By means of a development intensification process for processing color photographic silver halide materials, the silver halide emulsions of which contain more than 90 mol. % of AgCl and less than 0.8 g of silver halide per m.sup.2 (stated as the equivalent quantity of AgNO.sub.3), short processing times accompanied by stable replenishment rates are obtained if at least one compound of the formulae (I), (II) or (III) is used as the developer substance in a quantity of 0.002 to 0.04 mol/l of developer solution ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 to R.sub.3, R.sub.10 to R.sub.17, R.sub.21 to R.sub.23, m, n and Y have the meaning stated in the specification.

Abstract: A black-and-white developing composition includes as ascorbic acid developing agent, an auxiliary super-additive developing agent, borate buffer and a preservative. The composition pH is from 7 but less than 9. The composition can be formulated from two separately packaged parts that may be in dry or liquid form. The borate buffer is present to maintain the desired pH, and the two developing agents are present in desired molar ratios for optimal developing activity. Improved photographic properties are obtained while avoiding the use of environmentally unfriendly dihydroxybenzenes.

Abstract: An image-forming process developing a previously image-exposed silver halide photographic material with an alkaline developer containing a reductone compound as a main developing agent in the presence of a 1,2,5-thiadiazole compound and/or a 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole compound, and the silver halide photographic material and the photographic developer being used for the process are disclosed. In this case, the 1,2,5-thuiadiazole compound and/or the 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole may be contained in the silver halide photographic material and/or the alkaline developer. Super high-contrast images for photomechanical process having a gamma of higher than 15 and having no pepper and less fog can be obtained.

Abstract: A processing method for a silver halide photographic material is described, which comprises developing an exposed silver halide photographic material with a developing solution comprising:(a) an ascorbic acid developing agent,(b) an auxiliary developing agent exhibiting superadditivity,(c) an alkali agent necessary to maintain the pH from 9.2 to 9.8, and(d) a carbonate in a concentration from 0.30 mol/liter to 0.60 mol/liter.

Abstract: An image formation method by silver salt diffusion transfer is described, which comprises subjecting a photosensitive element containing at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer to image exposure, then developing the photosensitive element by use of an alkali processing composition containing a solvent for a silver halide to turn at least a part of unexposed silver halide of the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer into a transferable silver complex salt, transferring at least a part of the transferable complex salt to a silver precipitating nucleus-containing image receiving layer to form an image on the silver precipitating nucleus-containing image receiving layer, and separating the silver precipitating nucleus-containing image receiving layer from the photosensitive element after image formation to obtain the image, wherein the image is formed in the presence of at least one compound represented by the following formula (I) and at least one compound represented by the following form

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a lithographic printing plate according to the silver salt diffusion transfer process comprising the steps of:image-wise exposing an imaging element comprising on a support in the order given a photosensitive layer comprising a silver halide emulsion and an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei in water permeable relationship with said emulsion layer,developing said imaging element by means of an alkaline developing solution comprising at least 0.1 mole/l of ascorbic acid as the main developer and at least 0.015 mole/l of an auxiliary developer of the class of the 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidones in the presence of silver halide solvent(s) characterized in that said developing solution comprises at least 0.003 mole/l of thiosulfate.

Abstract: A method has been disclosed of processing an exposed silver halide photographic material comprising at least one coated hydrophilic silver halide emulsion layer comprising tabular grains rich in chloride, bounded by [100] or [111] major faces, characterized by the steps of developing, followed by fixing, rinsing and drying the said material, wherein developing proceeds in a developer, comprising hydroquinone in an amount from 0 to 30 g per liter, an auxiliary developer, as silver halide complexing agents alkali metal sulphite salts in an amount from 1 to 50 g per liter, at least 1 g of a compound corresponding to the formula (I), a precursor thereof, a derivative thereof and/or a metal salt thereof ##STR1## wherein the substituents are defined in the main embodiment of the specification.

Abstract: A photographic developing solution and a method of developing silver halide materials in the said developing solution is disclosed, the said developing solution comprising hydroquinone in an amount from 0 to 30 g per litre, an auxiliary developer, and silver halide complexing agents in an amount from 0 to 50 g per litre, characterized in that said developer further comprisesin amounts from 0.1 to 5 g per litre a compound corresponding to the formula (I), accompanied by charge compensating anions,Z'N.sup.+ --R--N.sup.+ Z" (I)wherein at least divalent group R contains at least one oxyethylene group and wherein Z' and Z", being the same or different, are composed of enough atoms to form a heterocyclic aromatic 5- or 6-ring;andat least 1 g of a compound corresponding to the formula (II), a precursor thereof, a derivative thereof and/or a metal salt thereof ##STR1## wherein each of A, B and D independently represents an oxygen atom or NR.sup.1 ;X represents an oxygen atom, a sulphur atom, NR.sup.2 ; CR.sup.3 R.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process for forming a high contrast photographic image including the steps of imagaewise exposing a silver halide photographic element containing a hydrazine compound which functions as a nucleating agent, wherein the element is free of incorporated amine boosters. The exposed element is developed with a chemically stable aqueous alkaline developing solution that is free of dihydroxybenzene developing agents and has a pH between 9.5 and 11. The developing solution comprises an ascorbic acid developing agent; an auxiliary developing agent; and a combination of an alkali metal carbonate and an alkali metal borate comprising between 0.125 and 0.5 molar concentration of the carbonate and between 0.04 and 0.35 molar concentration of the borate.

Abstract: A method for forming a silver halide photographic image comprising developing a silver halide photographic material with a developing solution containing an ascorbic acid developing agent, substantially free from hydroquinone and having a pH of 8.5 to 11.0, the silver halide photographic material comprising a support formed of a syndiotactic styrenic polymer and a silver halide emulsion layer formed on at least one surface thereof, the emulsion layer or another hydrophilic colloidal layer containing a hydrazine derivative, and the total amount of gelatin of the emulsion layer being 2.5 g/m.sup.2 or less, thereby reducing black spot fog and improving dimensional stability of the photographic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a black-and-white aqueous alkaline photographic developer composition, free of dihydroxybenzene developing agent, comprising a reductic acid developing agent and an auxiliary superadditive developing agent, wherein the reductic acid developing agent is represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and group CH.sub.2 R.sub.5, wherein R.sub.5 is hydrogen or a monovalent group, e.g. amino, cyano, halogen, hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulfonyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl.A process for forming a black-and-white photographic silver image comprising developing a silver halide photographic element with said black-and-white aqueous alkaline photographic developer composition is also described.

Abstract: A non-hydroquinone photographic developer composition comprising: (a) a developer selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid and sugar-type derivatives thereof, or alkali metal salts and mixtures thereof, in an amount of 0.1 to 0.4 mol/liter (mol/l); (b) an effective amount of an auxiliary developing agent comprising a 3-pyrazolidone compound, an aminophenol or a mixture thereof; (c) an alkali metal sulfite in an amount less than or equal to 0.32 mol/l; (d) an alkali metal carbonate in an amount of 0.1 to 0.4 mol/l; (e) an alkali metal hydroxide in an amount of from 0.08 to 2.0 mols/l; (f) with the developer composition having a pH of 11.8 or higher at 25° C.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process for forming a high contrast photographic image including the steps of imagaewise exposing a silver halide photographic element containing a hydrazine compound which functions as a nucleating agent, wherein the element is free of incorporated amine boosters. The exposed element is developed with a chemically stable aqueous alkaline developing solution that is free of dihydroxybenzene developing agents and has a pH between 9.5 and 11. The developing solution comprises an ascorbic acid developing agent; an auxiliary developing agent; and a combination of an alkali metal carbonate and an alkali metal borate comprising between 0.125 and 0.5 molar concentration of the carbonate and between 0.04 and 0.35 molar concentration of the borate.