Delta 400 on Aculux vs ID-11 stock

[dolande]

I’ve being doing my own developing for the last 4 months always using delta 400 ID-11 (1+1) combination. After so much reading on how great Aculux 2 is (and how expensive dd-x is), I gave Aculux a try. Not so much experience here but Aculux is giving me bigger grain than ID-11 on delta 400 (using manufacturer recommend times and dilutions). Is this the expected result? Should I look for improvements somewhere else (tonal range? acutance?).

Thanks

Rafael

 

[pauldc]

I find Delta 400 and Aculux almost grain free for prints up to 12 x 9.5 inches. I use EI 250 and develop 1+9 for 8.5 minutes with 10 secs agitation per minute. 20 degrees C in a small tank. It is a nice combo and very sharp - in my gallery I have a couple of pictures with this combination of the river Thames.

My general experience with Aculux is:

1. It must be fresh - clear. Any sign of yellowness indicates a change. However, in full small glass bottles it lasts easily for 6 months.
2. Any over development quickly leads to high contrast and bigger grain
3. EI's are usually up to a stop slower than ISO - I rate both Delta 400 and Neopan 400 at EI 250
4. Keep an eye on temperature for reason 2

Good luck

 

[dolande]

Thanks Paul,

Developer looks very clear (I bought it when it was just delivered to the store) and open it just a day before developing (I split it in 4 bottles as you recommend). I used a Paterson tank with the film in the lower reel and an empty reel on top. The temperature was 20 degrees flat but since room temperature was higher than that, I don’t know if that may had been a factor. I rated the film to 400

Thanks

Rafael

 

[BradS]

I have not tried it with Delta 400 but did do quite a bit od Delta-100 in Aculux. I'd agree with Paul's analysis above. I would just add that I found Ilford's dev times to be much too long. Which may be the source of the grain you see. Keep trying. It's a decent dev. I love it almost as much as HC-110 but, it is getting scarce around here.

 

[dolande]

I notice the different time that Paul is using and the same quote from Brad. I just did some additional internet research and found that my time seems to be excessive (11 minutes). So I’ll try 8.5 minutes next time.

Thank you both

 

[fpiner]

Has anyone else herd that Patterson is discontinuing chemistry in the US?

 

[Ronald Moravec]

Try a few exposures with Delta 400 and stock ID11. It works even better with DDX or Xtol. I used to get nice results with ID11 1:1 with the original Delta 400, but the new , which I patiently waited for, does not do well at 1:1. I sort of gave up on it, but was plesantly suprised when I switched most developing to stock solution.

When I mean a few, shoot 10 or so and cut them off in the dark as a trial. Use Ilford`s time or compensate a percentage. I find 10% less works for me on any recommended time for a condenser enlarger.

 

[dolande]

Oops! My mistake Ronald; I used ID11 stock and yes my results are better with it than with Aculux.
Thanks