Agfa APX400 any recommendations?

[Rob Archer]

I've just retrieved a 'brick' of Agfa APX400 (120) from the bottom of my freezer where it's been since Agfa 120s demise. I used to use APX100 quite a bit but I've never shot the 400. I've got a day in the Peak District planned for tomorrow and I'd like a few ideas as to what to rate it and dev it in. I've only got 10 rolls so can't really experiment too much. Any experience or advice gratefully recieved!

Rob

 

[MMfoto]

How old is it? If it's from early 2003 or later it's likely the "new" version. The development times chaged drastically for the new film, so be aware of that.

I don't know what your style is, but I shoot this film quite a lot. It can be very flat. For Rodinal I would start with 1:25 for 10 minutes, EI:200. This advice only applies to the new version.

Have fun!

 

[Paul Howell]

a couple of years ago I shot 30 rolls along with some 4X5 and was reordering when Agfa bellyed up. I did experiment and thought that 400 worked well in most standard developers, I liked it with Tmax RS, Microdol, X, D 76, D 777, and Edwal 12. I did not try HC110, but I think it would do in HC as any of the other I tired. I shot the 120 at 320 or 200 depending on the camera and meter and developed in D777, the 4X5 at 200 and developed in Tmax.

 

[NikoSperi]

Watching thread with interest

As I just picked up 10 rolls of 35mm - new version. Digitaltruth is completely across the board on times for my two dev's: Rodinal (which I tend to limit to slower films or larger formats) and HC110.
Any starting suggestions? 6 minutes in HC110B?

 

[Rob Archer]

'How old is it? If it's from early 2003 or later it's likely the "new" version. The development times chaged drastically for the new film, so be aware of that.'

It's dated 02/2006 so I suspect it's the newer version. Signing off now as I've a train to catch at 05:30 tomorrow!

Rob

 

[jim appleyard]

I was always a fan of this film and never found it flat, but I shoot a lot of contrasty scenes.

I used quite a few different devs and found APX 400 a very easy film to use. All at 68F unless noted.
D-23, 1+1, 14 min
D-76, 1+1, 13min.
HC-110, 1+31 (B) 9 min.
HC-110, 1_62 (E?) 12.5 min 70F

I would rate this film at an EI of 400 with a spot meter and 200 with TTL.

 

[jim appleyard]

Also note that I used a diffusion enlarger.

 

[Alex Bishop-Thorpe]

I had a 100ft roll so I shot a lot of it for a while, it's pretty versatile in Xtol from what I found. All round a decent 400ISO film - it looks nice pulled to 100ISO as well, but that's silly if you can get your hands on APX100.

 

[Petzi]

Any experience or advice gratefully recieved!

Rob

I was told that APX 400 in Rodinal Special is about as fine grained as APX 100 in Rodinal.

 

[sbelyaev]

DD-X

 

[JLP]

Rob,
If it expired 02/2006 i think there is a chance it is the old version. I have a good stash in the freezer that is dated 2009/10 which is the new version. Knowing that this was made no later than late 2005 gives it about 4-5 year lifetime.
For the new version Xtol 1+1 works great. Expose as 320 and develope 11minutes @68 degrees for Condenser head.
Hope to see some of your work..


jan