DDX or D76??

[mikepry]

I have use and enjoy DXX but it is getting pretty scarce these days. BH is out til May 15! I don’t mind D76 so am really thinking the scarcity of DDX is becoming a trend. D76, is, otoh, always available and very easy to come by. Im thinking of making a switch. What would you folks pick? DDX or D76? Thanks.

 

[RattyMouse]

I have use and enjoy DXX but it is getting pretty scarce these days. BH is out til May 15! I don’t mind D76 so am really thinking the scarcity of DDX is becoming a trend. D76, is, otoh, always available and very easy to come by. Im thinking of making a switch. What would you folks pick? DDX or D76? Thanks.

I would always pick DD-X over D76. However, if the film I was developing was ISO400 or faster, I would use D76 if I had to. I use HC110 since it is much easier to use and store.

I put in an order for DD-X at B & H and found it was out of stock as well. Ilford has real issues these days. They dont seem like a well run company anymore.

 

[David Brown]

Freestyle has it in stock.

 

[mikepry]

Exactly. That’s what I was thinking. It’s not only the DDX that is backprdered but allot of other chemistry. I should have noted I’m using TMY2. I get full speed with DDX. I shoot 4/5 and use BTZS.

Freestyle has it in stock.

Freestyle has it in stock.

I guess I’m spoiled with free shipping g from BH and I’m in South Florida and shipping is pricey with Freestyle with the distance involved.

 

[jim appleyard]

I've never used DD-X, although lots of folks here like it. It's the rather pricey dev, isn't it? Anyway, you can't lose with D-76. It's affordable, reliable, available, and you can do just about any film in it.

 

[mikepry]

I've never used DD-X, although lots of folks here like it. It's the rather pricey dev, isn't it? Anyway, you can't lose with D-76. It's affordable, reliable, available, and you can do just about any film in it.

Right on. Heck they even have it on Amazon. I really think I’m gonna head towards D76. Change is not always easy for me but I think I need to this time.

 

[RattyMouse]

I've never used DD-X, although lots of folks here like it. It's the rather pricey dev, isn't it? Anyway, you can't lose with D-76. It's affordable, reliable, available, and you can do just about any film in it.

D-76 goes bad over time. HC-110 does not.

 

[Adrian Bacon]

DDX will be available. Ilford just recently switched to a new distributor here in the US. I’m an Ilford reseller, and know that there’s a fresh shipment from Ilford on its way over from the UK right now. Give it a couple weeks. You’re just seeing the last shipment run out while the next shipment is on it’s way.

 

[Svenedin]

I used to use DDX exclusively but I switched to Xtol 1+1 (one shot) and I’m very happy with it.

 

[David Brown]

... Ilford has real issues these days. They dont seem like a well run company anymore.

Puleese ...!

If they have a problem, it's that they can't keep up with constantly increasing demand.

And, this thread seems to be based on B&H stocking practices. Other dealers (including my local) have DDX in stock.

 

[mikepry]

DDX will be available. Ilford just recently switched to a new distributor here in the US. I’m an Ilford reseller, and know that there’s a fresh shipment from Ilford on its way over from the UK right now. Give it a couple weeks. You’re just seeing the last shipment run out while the next shipment is on it’s way.

Well that is comforting. I was wondering what was happening.

 

[mikepry]

I used to use DDX exclusively but I switched to Xtol 1+1 (one shot) and I’m very happy with it.

May I ask what prompted the change?

 

[David Brown]

DDX will be available. Ilford just recently switched to a new distributor here in the US. I’m an Ilford reseller, and know that there’s a fresh shipment from Ilford on its way over from the UK right now. Give it a couple weeks. You’re just seeing the last shipment run out while the next shipment is on it’s way.

+1 This is what I hear from the dealer in Dallas, as well.

 

[Svenedin]

May I ask what prompted the change?

I found DDX to be rather expensive. I had used it because it was so convenient (and also very good). I am not suggesting Xtol is better but a good substitute if DDX is unavailable. The only downside with Xtol is you do have to mix up a 5 litre batch and then store that but you can still have the convenience of one-shot. I think it's worth a try if you can't get DDX and I doubt you will be disappointed.

 

[Eric Rose]

If DDX wasn't so outrageously expensive it would be my second favorite developer.

 

[RattyMouse]

Puleese ...!

If they have a problem, it's that they can't keep up with constantly increasing demand.

And, this thread seems to be based on B&H stocking practices. Other dealers (including my local) have DDX in stock.

Late last year we had a run on one of our products at my company. We could not keep up with demand and our customers were not happy. We lost business as they went to competitors. We were not a well run company at the time.

Ilford is not well run now too. You paint it as a big positive that they cannot keep up with demand. If true, (that's pure speculation on your part), it makes no difference. It's a big fat negative.

 

[faberryman]

I think it is related to their new distributor, Robert's Camera, who is probably just getting its arms around being a national distributor. They probably underestimated nation-wide demand and were slow to place an order with the mothership.

 

[Adrian Bacon]

Well that is comforting. I was wondering what was happening.

DD is their flagship developer. They’re not about to stop making it available unless they’re going pull everything out of the US. It’s what their own lab uses, and as long as you can buy Ilford film here in the US, you should expect to see DD generally available.

That said, if you’re looking for something to use with TMY, XTOL is very lovely. D76 is good, but XTOL is even better.

 

[Svenedin]

DD is their flagship developer. They’re not about to stop making it available unless they’re going pull everything out of the US. It’s what their own lab uses, and as long as you can buy Ilford film here in the US, you should expect to see DD generally available.

That said, if you’re looking for something to use with TMY, XTOL is very lovely. D76 is good, but XTOL is even better.

+1

 

[mikepry]

I am still amazed at the wealth of knowledge and participation that is present here. Thanks so much for all the answers.

 

[mikepry]

Doesn’t it stand for “Dip and Dunk?” DD. That’s what I heard.

 

[Adrian Bacon]

I think it is related to their new distributor, Robert's camera, who is probably just getting its arms around being a national distributor. They probably underestimated nation-wide demand and were slow to place an order with the mothership.

I don’t know if it’s that. Ilford would know what the seasonal demand is and have a good idea of how much to send over in the container and how frequently to send containers. They’re not out of everything. On my last order at Roberts my sales rep only gave me a partial fill on some of the stuff and said that it’ll be couple weeks before more shows up. The rest of my order was filled in full.

 

[RattyMouse]

I think it is related to their new distributor, Robert's Camera, who is probably just getting its arms around being a national distributor. They probably underestimated nation-wide demand and were slow to place an order with the mothership.

You think Ilford could not help them prepare the right amount of stock?

 

[Adrian Bacon]

Doesn’t it stand for “Dip and Dunk?” DD. That’s what I heard.

DD is the replenished version of DDX for use with labs. They’re the same, just different packaging. DD needs the starter added, DDX already has it. You can read all about it on Ilford’s site under their chemistry pages.

 

[faberryman]

You think Ilford could not help them prepare the right amount of stock?

Things were going fine until their distributor quit, so I am guessing the transition to a new distributor is the issue. I don't think Ilford just all of a sudden began mismanaging itself. Of course, anything is possible.