Patent ID: 6033837
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: G03C

Abstract:
A method for providing a black-and-white image comprising:A) developing an imagewise exposed black-and-white photographic silver halide element using a black-and-white developing composition that has a pH of from about 9 to about 12 and is free of dihydroxybenzene developing agents and ammonium ions, and comprises from about 100 to about 300 mmol/l of an ascorbic acid developing agent, from about 150 to about 400 mmol/l of sulfite ions, and from about 3 to about 15 mmol/l of an auxiliary co-developing agent, andB) fixing said developed black-and-white photographic silver halide element using a fixing composition that has a pH of from about 4 to about 6 and is free of ammonium ions, and comprises from about 600 to about 1200 mmol/l of a photographic fixing agent other than a sulfite, and from about 80 to about 320 mmol/l of sulfite ions,steps A and B being carried out within up to 60 seconds, wherein prior to step A, said black and white photographic silver halide element comprises a support having disposed on each side thereof, a silver halide emulsion unit that comprises silver halide grains and a gelatino-vehicle, said silver halide grains comprising at least 95 mol% bromide based on total silver, at least 50% of the silver halide grain projected area being provided by tabular grains having an average aspect ratio greater than 8, a thickness no greater than 0.10 .mu.m, and an average grain diameter of from about 1.5 to about 3 .mu.m,the coverage of silver in each silver halide emulsion unit being no more than 11 mg/dm.sup.2, and the coverage of the gelatino-vehicle in each silver halide emulsion unit being no more than 11 mg/dm.sup.2.