Delta3200 @ 1600 in Diafine?

[Harry Lime]

Has anyone tried this combination?

I'm looking for a 2-bath developer that can properly handle Delta3200 @ 1600 or Tri-X pushed to 1600.

Does anyone know of a 2-bath equivalent to XTOL or Ilford DD-X?


thanks

 

[Tim Gray]

I've asked about TMZ, not Delta, in Diafine, and was only told that its not good, or particularly fast. I must admit, I've tried it, maybe I should stop being lazy.

As far as 2 bath and Tri-X, why not Diafine. I routinely shoot it at 1250 at concerts, and if I had to, I'd go 1600 (even though its only a third of a stop faster) and am very happy with it.

 

[frotog]

Several years back I ran a series of developer tests with delta 3200. We were looking for the maximum amount of speed in the shadows and which developer produced the most beautiful results at enlargements up to 40x50. Detail in the shadows and easily printable highlights kept us from exploring aggressive push development (not to be confused with stand developing which is another form of compensating development you could try) The final contenders were DDX, id-11, formulary divided d76, xtol, diafine, and cachet's ab55. Of those ab55 was my favorite. The diafine didn't have as great a tonal range and did not produce the beautiful, pronounced shadow separation of ab55. I found the nominal asa of this film to be somewhere between 800-1000. Higher speeds are certainly possible but at a great cost to the shadow areas. It's been a while since I've used AB55, I honestly don't know if it's still available. These days I'm fond of rodinal 1:100 and a one hour stand.

 

[Harry Lime]

Looks like Freestyle is still selling AB55.

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/sc_prod.php?cat_id=305&pid=5583

 

[Harry Lime]

Is it possible to reformulate XTOL as a 2-bath developer? XTOL works very well for push processing and highspeed films.

XTOL 1 liter:
______________________________________
Part A (Dry Formulation)
Sodium sulfite 10 g
Diethylenetriaminepenta-
1 g
acetic acid, pentasodium salt
Sodium metaborate (8 mol)
4.0 g
4-Hydroxymethyl-4-methyl-1-
0.2 g
phenyl-3-pyrazolidone

Part B (Dry Formulation):
Sodium sulfite 75 g
Sodium metabisulfite, 3.5 g
Sodium isoascorbate 12 g
______________________________________

Is this possible if I isolate the Sodium metaborate in Bath B or are there other chemicals present that initiate development?

thanks