Developer dilution

Besides working more quickly, what differences can one expect to see when using a developer at 1:1 as opposed to 1:3 or 1:5?

I did search for this.

For one thing, diluting a dev is more economical, but usually we dilute to get a sharper image as the sulfite in the dev (which gives fine grain) is diluted. You'll get a sharper, but grainier image.

Another reason to dilute is to make the dev a compensating one; keeping highlights in high-contrast scenes from buring out.

You can also get a bigger margin for error when diluting. Some films and some devs have pretty quick dev times. By diluting, you are lengthening the time spent in the dev. If you miss an agitation cycle becuase you were daydreaming or changing the cd in the player, it won't matter as much.

I'm sure there are reasons I haven't covered and I'll be interested to read what others have to say on this.

I did a comparison of the same scene shot with the same camera using the same settings with 4x5 and developed them at various dilutions. In that size I found it difficult to tell a lot of difference in the results, but in smaller formats (35mm mainly), the dilution has a greater impact on the tonality and grain, at least with FP4+ and HP5+. I found little different between 1:1 and 1:3 with Perceptol until I got into the 35mm negative size, and even then, the difference was not great. Using stock solution compared to 1:3 does show more of a difference though, at least in my tests.

- Randy