Adding rodinal to print developers

[Markok765]

I am developing with ilford pq universal 1:9 mixed to make a working solution of 500ml. i am also adding 15 ml of rodinal to the mix. i have found the prints have very nice hightlights, so have you tried this? is this safe? the mix without the rodinal is clear, but with the rodinal it has a sepia tone to the liquid.

 

[reellis67]

I don't mean to sound rude, but what result were you looking for? I once read that someone used Rodinal (alone) as a paper developer, but that the results were less than useable.

- Randy

 

[Markok765]

Deep blacks and nice tones. i will post in the galerie when they dry

 

[reellis67]

If you're after deep blacks, try using a bromide or chlorobromide graded paper and then selenium toning it - I can't think of anything that is in Rodinal that would deepen the blacks.

- Randy

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

If you're after deep blacks, try using a bromide or chlorobromide graded paper and then selenium toning it - I can't think of anything that is in Rodinal that would deepen the blacks.

- Randy

How about P-Aminophenol (the developing agent in Rodinal) for deep blacks?, Actually, Rodinal has a good reputation as a Warmtone Paper Developer.

Rodinal Developer for Bromide and Gaslight Papers
Source: The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1914, page 854

Rodinal 6 - 9 ml
Water 300 ml
Potassium Bromide 10% Solution 1ml

I posted this Rodinal Recipe (i.e., P-Aminophenol recipe) and others in the Apug Chemical Recipes some time ago - but that area is not up and running yet.

 

[reellis67]

Very interesting Tom. I've not seen any modern references to it used as a paper developer, other than one online post stating that it didn't give very pleasing results, so I had no idea that it could be used to that end. I've always thought of warm tones as giving softer blacks and cold tones giving deeper blacks, but since I don't often print warm-only toned prints I have little experience in that area. Still, it seems odd that a warm tone developer would give deep blacks.

- Randy

 

[marcsv]

How about P-Aminophenol (the developing agent in Rodinal) for deep blacks?, Actually, Rodinal has a good reputation as a Warmtone Paper Developer.

Rodinal Developer for Bromide and Gaslight Papers
Source: The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1914, page 854

Rodinal 6 - 9 ml
Water 300 ml
Potassium Bromide 10% Solution 1ml

I posted this Rodinal Recipe (i.e., P-Aminophenol recipe) and others in the Apug Chemical Recipes some time ago - but that area is not up and running yet.

I've done print experiments with home brewed p-aminophenol. I've gone through 4 versions and the most usable versions were the one with 1.25-2.5 grams of KBr (diluted 1:10 - 1:20) and another with 1.25 grams of hydroquinone (diluted 1:10 - 1:20). The prints were warm (more evident with the ones that didn't use hydroquinone). I've already sent out a couple of sample to other photographers for evaluation as part of my research. I will post the comments as soon as i get them. Btw, I have ony tested the brew (which was initially intended for film use only) on grade 3 paper.

 

[pentaxuser]

The acid test for all of this is going to be Marko's prints. If a small addition of Rodinal does achieve better highlights( his first claim) and also deeper blacks and nice tones (his second claim) then it does seems an easy and worthwhile way of getting there.

Marko. I look forward to seeing both prints next to each other in the gallery. I take it that other than the addition of Rodinal in one print, both will have been produced under exactly the same conditions i.e exposure, grade, dev time etc. Otherwise none of us, yourself included will be able to conclude that it was the Rodinal which made the difference.

Mind you,I'd also like to see an explanation of how rodinal does this from a chemist

pentaxuser