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A decent developer that I can use in both rotary and tank systems?

Phillip P. Dimor

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Sorry if this is the wrong forum, i've been gone for a LONG time.
I like Rodinal. Heck, I LOVE Rodinal. Now it's.. something else.
Anyhow, I was thinking of WD2D (I love PMK Pyro but with rotary it never worked well for me)...
I like developer that is dilutable and relatively inexpensive.
I shoot 5x7 and 120/6x6. I'm not opposed to replenishing (I used to replenish Acufine, but that was 120 in tanks)
Any thoughts? Sorry if I sound like a newbie, it's been 2+ years since i've gotten back in to the swing of things.
Rollo-pyro also sounds good.. *shrug* I like acutance, but really I don't even care so much at this point.
 
FWIW, WD2D+ has worked well for me in my JoBo, roll film and sheets.
 
I use Xtol, Rodinal and D76 in inversion tanks and Jobo.

Xtol seems to be pretty insensitive to agitation, i.e. I need to reduce the time by maybe 10% going from tanks to rotary and the film speed is unaffected. Rodinal seems more sensitive to agitation; it needs significantly reduced development time to keep the contrast under control and has about a stop of speed loss when using it rotary. It's still great stuff though.

Replenishing with a rotary process isn't generally a great idea because of the increased oxidation; that's not a problem if you do it one-shot.
 
There is nothing wrong with good old D76 or Ilfords ID11. Identical chemical formulas and work with both methods.

However, for what it is worth, Rodinal is not meant for any other method than in a tank which is only agitated once every 30 seconds. Used otherwise it loses the 'edge effect' for which Rodinal is famed. The grain can increase and the edges get 'mushy'. Only slightly, but enough to see in big enlargements.
 
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what didn't work for you when using PMK?
It's what I use 95% of the time, have been for several years in a jobo, and other than people saying "it isn't good for rotary use", don't see what's wrong with it. I mix a larger quantity (1L) if I'm doing a lot of film/long times and use 500ml per first half of development, 500ml for the second.
 
I am using D76 1:1 in my Jobo processor with great results. It also works well for hand processing. ---john
 
I've used Rodinal in both systems, and Pyrocat. I love them both.
 
HC110!! Cheap as heck, can be diluted to any dilution from syrup, syrup lasts forever and has worked great in my rotary tank and hand tank systems! It is my go-to developer (I've even used it for paper in an emergency with good results)...
 
Diafine works in rotary? I LOVE the idea of diafine and am actually a HUGE fan of acufine but found that acufine did not work well in my uniroller..
 
I could never get HC110 to work but heck, i'll try again! I used to have half a dozen bottles of it and just swore it off (it's like molasses)
 
Rodinal and Pyrocat sounds like the route I want to take. I've very familiar with Rodinal (Now it's called something else?) not familiar with pyrocat but am familiar with PMK Pyro which I _loved_. Awesome, thank you for the replies..
 
Wildbill, I can't recall 'why' it didn't work (it's been years) but I do remember uneven development, even with a presoak. Could just be me.. It works for you? I must suck
 
I use D76 1:2, Edwal 12, Microdal stock and 1:3, and Tmax 1:4 in both tanks and Unicolor film tank.
 
Developers based on pyrogallol or catechol, especially in dilute solution and limited sulfite content, may not respond well to rotary processing. These developing agents are very sensitive to aerial oxidation. A rotary processor is constantly introducing oxygen into the developer.
 

RE: HC110 - I have yet to have problems. Maybe the Unicolor rotating base is slow/gentle enough. I've used numerous dilutions (from B to H). I do drop the dev time by about 20% as per recommendations around the web though.

EDIT: No presoak either.
 
I don't understand your post since HC-110 does not contain either of the two developing agents mentioned. HC-110 contains Dimezone-S and hydroquinone which both seem to hold up well to aerial oxidation.
 
I dont think I would use Acufine, or FG7 (if you any left) as the devleopmet times are so short you may get uneven development. I dont see any reason why HC 110, Tmax or DDx would not work in a roatery drum, I have used Tmax with good results.
 
I use XTOL replenished for both. Do not reduce the rotary processing time.
 
I use T-Max and T-Max RS without problems (as well as D76, depending on the film.)

I use the Jobo recommended 5 minute pre-soak and start with the manufacturer recommended times for inversion, if times for rotary are not published. Little change is necessary. I often end up with slightly shorter times but that's true of inversion too as the published times are often for a bit more contrast than I'm looking for.
 

I use D76 at 1:1, but if you like acutance, why not stick with Rodinal at about 1:50?
 
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