D76, HC110 or Rodinal for

Gerry M · Jul 12, 2015

With 135 APX 100 ; Which produces the least amount of grain, D76, HC110 or Rodinal?

Rodinalforever · Jul 12, 2015

I used a lot of Agfa apx100 and it was superb in Rodinal 1+25 (@ 80 beautiful mid-tones with high micro-contrast) and in D761+1 (less contrasty than Rodinal, but creamy negatives). The Apx now available in the market (new emulsion) it's a very different film from the original Agfa Apx, it shows much more grain than the original one and it seems to be a Kentmere100 rebranded by Agfa-Lupus. Now in Italy Agfa Apx New is more expensive than Kodak tmax (which I consider an overall better film) so I don't use Agfa-Lupus film any more.
Anyway, I'd start with D76 1+1 because it's less grainer than Rodinal, produces excellent negatives with most of the film and it's very hard to beat.

Gerry M · Jul 12, 2015

Rodinalforever said:
I used a lot of Agfa apx100 and it was superb in Rodinal 1+25 (@ 80 beautiful mid-tones with high micro-contrast) and in D761+1 (less contrasty than Rodinal, but creamy negatives). The Apx now available in the market (new emulsion) it's a very different film from the original Agfa Apx, it shows much more grain than the original one and it seems to be a Kentmere100 rebranded by Agfa-Lupus. Now in Italy Agfa Apx New is more expensive than Kodak tmax (which I consider an overall better film) so I don't use Agfa-Lupus film any more.
Anyway, I'd start with D76 1+1 because it's less grainer than Rodinal, produces excellent negatives with most of the film and it's very hard to beat.

Appreciate your input. Sounds like D76 is the one for me to use on this film.

Regards,

Gerry

Gerald C Koch · Jul 12, 2015

Since Kodak designed HC-110 for commercial photofinishers to produce results as similar to D-76 as possible it would also be a good choice.

Richard S. (rich815) · Jul 12, 2015

Rodinal would be the most likely to show more grain if underexposed or overdeveloped however would also give the best perceived sharpness. That said exposed and developed right grain should be of little consequence with Rodinal. For perhaps a bit more forgiving situation D-76 and HC-110 would be good. That said I should have asked first: what are your plans with this film? Subject matter, expected contrast of the scene, will you be scanning or traditional printing and how large?

Richard S. (rich815) · Jul 12, 2015

Here's two examples of APX100 in Rodinal, first shot with a Rollei 35T, second with a Leica MP and 135 Nikkor-Q lens:

Gerry M · Jul 12, 2015

Richard,
The first use will probably be general landscape/environmental type shots. Contrast will probably vary. Will be using Contax G1 & G2 with 28, 35 and 45 lenses. I will be scanning as I sold my darkroom gear some years back. The examples you posted are terrific!

Gerry

Richard S. (rich815) · Jul 12, 2015

Cool Gerry. Might have some more examples at home, those are off my Flickr postings. The G2 is terrific for metering but as usual would warn for shots with lots of bright sky that you compensation by +1-2 stops so you do not underexpose the main landscape subject matter. Nothing like underexpose to give you lots of grain.

Gerry M · Jul 12, 2015

Thanks for the reminder.

RalphLambrecht · Jul 12, 2015

Rodinalforever said:
I used a lot of Agfa apx100 and it was superb in Rodinal 1+25 (@ 80 beautiful mid-tones with high micro-contrast) and in D761+1 (less contrasty than Rodinal, but creamy negatives). The Apx now available in the market (new emulsion) it's a very different film from the original Agfa Apx, it shows much more grain than the original one and it seems to be a Kentmere100 rebranded by Agfa-Lupus. Now in Italy Agfa Apx New is more expensive than Kodak tmax (which I consider an overall better film) so I don't use Agfa-Lupus film any more.
Anyway, I'd start with D76 1+1 because it's less grainer than Rodinal, produces excellent negatives with most of the film and it's very hard to beat.

another vote for D761+1;a good overall developer, providing an excellent compromise between speed, grain and shadow detail and sharpness but give it 1/3 to 2/3 stops more exposure for best results

Gerry M · Jul 12, 2015

Thanks, Ralph.

D76, HC110 or Rodinal for

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