Sorry for the slow reply (9 years), but yes I tried it about six years ago and I loved the results. Since then I've pretty much settled on using FX-55, due to its keeping properties. However I have intended to revisit FX-15, and have mixed up a fresh batch. So, shortly I will be developing a roll of Acros 100 with it and will report back.I've been thinking of trying this developer which used to be known as Paterson's Acutol S. I would have to buy the chemicals and mix it from scratch it appears.
Has anyone tried it, any opinions on the pros and cons of it? The Film Developing Cookbook speaks well of it.
not done it but I'd trust that book.I've been thinking of trying this developer which used to be known as Paterson's Acutol S. I would have to buy the chemicals and mix it from scratch it appears.
Has anyone tried it, any opinions on the pros and cons of it? The Film Developing Cookbook speaks well of it.
Film is washing as we speak. Delighted with the results and will post at least one example. FX-15 is definitely back in my developing arsenal. It's the duck's guts.
The only thing that went slightly wrong is that it was my first use of a Kindermann reel and I had some slight film-loading issues. But that obviously has nothing to do with the developer.
+1I do look forward to seeing one or more examples — thanks.
I'll try to get into the darkroom some time in the next few days.I do look forward to seeing one or more examples — thanks.
I will try to get into the darkroom in the next few days, but I doubt that I will get anywhere near your level, Ralph Lambrecht.
no magic;just remember the 10.000-hour rule.If you do something,anything for 10000h or more ,you get good enough to compete with the masters in the field. I've done this for over 50 years and sometimes 12/day.And I have many filled trash cans to prove it. Just keep at it.I will try to get into the darkroom in the next few days, but I doubt that I will get anywhere near your level, Ralph Lambrecht.
I've been thinking of trying this developer which used to be known as Paterson's Acutol S. I would have to buy the chemicals and mix it from scratch it appears.
Has anyone tried it, any opinions on the pros and cons of it? The Film Developing Cookbook speaks well of it.
I know of nothing that has three developing agents in it like that (Spur developers do, but have lots of other things, too). Aside from 3 agents, FX-15 appears to be carefully pH-tuned and buffered. Neither of which can be said of D-76. However, D-76 would be the closest commercially available in look, but without the speed boost.Does anyone know if there is any commercial, ready-made developer that is similar to Acutol S / Crawley's fx15?
(and available in the USA?)
I know of nothing that has three developing agents in it like that (Spur developers do, but have lots of other things, too). Aside from 3 agents, FX-15 appears to be carefully pH-tuned and buffered. Neither of which can be said of D-76. However, D-76 would be the closest commercially available in look, but without the speed boost.
Does anyone know if there is any commercial, ready-made developer that is similar to Acutol S / Crawley's fx15?
(and available in the USA?)
No but the ingredients do not seem hard to obtain. If you then don't like the look of FX15 you can always sell what you bought on Photrio
Yes I know this is not what you asked but it may be the only way to try it out
pentaxuser
They aren't hard to obtain but if you're not a person who is going to do a lot of experimenting, it's a fair bit of cash to lay out for the first test. You'll need three developing agents, restrainer, sulfite, metabisulfite, and two alkali. So probably $100 minimum to get started. Unless you have a friend who has some of it.
A much easier/cheaper place to get started with home mixed stuff would be something like D-23.
And in addition to the cost of the chemicals, I would also need to buy a scale that can accurately weigh 0.1g, right?
My concern with mixing up developer at home is not so much the initial cost, or the difficulty, but I wonder about stability of the necessary chemicals? I assume, if any one ingredient goes bad, the mixed developer will not work as expected?
I may try mixing my own developer one day, but there are several interesting commercially made developers I'd like to try first. I suspect factory-made developers are more precisely controlled for consistancy of results than what I could manage in my basement (but after getting burned on a bad batch of Kodak Xtol, maybe not?)
However, there may be a few diy formulas that produce results which are noticeably different from what can be obtained from any commercially prepared product, and therefore may be worth the effort. Is Acutol S / Crawley's FX-15 developer is one of those?
It is also fun to experiment! I enjoy it thoroughlytrue; there is too much to try for a lifetime. I settled on D76H twenty years ago but trying something else once in a while still itches me.
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