developers for sheets

TareqPhoto · Aug 18, 2012

I am planning to start shooting with LF soon when the weather and time-situation getting fine/better with me soon, meanwhile i keep reading more about LF photography here and there, and here is one question or topic i want to get more info about it:

Which developer i can use to develop sheets in tanks?

I have HC-110 and Ilfosol 3 and TMAX and just bought D-76, i have reading on TMAX sites whether from the stores or Kodak that TMAX is not recommended for sheets or say only for rolls, well, didn't read that on HC-110.

Now if i will neglect TMAX, and was deciding to keep that HC-110 for rolls only, i bought D-76 to go with sheets only or mostly, what another developer i can go with for sheets? Also ID-11 is same as D-76 so this is neglected as well.

I bought raw chemicals to produce Rodinal, Caffenol, and would like to get raw chems for Pyrocat-HD

Note: I did use D-76 on rolls and even it is giving gret results i didn't favorite it over TMAX, not even Ilfosol 3 for some films, and HC-110 seems to be another great one that i will use over D-76 on time.

removed account4 · Aug 18, 2012

TareqPhoto said:
I am planning to start shooting with LF soon when the weather and time-situation getting fine/better with me soon, meanwhile i keep reading more about LF photography here and there, and here is one question or topic i want to get more info about it:

Which developer i can use to develop sheets in tanks?

I have HC-110 and Ilfosol 3 and TMAX and just bought D-76, i have reading on TMAX sites whether from the stores or Kodak that TMAX is not recommended for sheets or say only for rolls, well, didn't read that on HC-110.

Now if i will neglect TMAX, and was deciding to keep that HC-110 for rolls only, i bought D-76 to go with sheets only or mostly, what another developer i can go with for sheets? Also ID-11 is same as D-76 so this is neglected as well.

I bought raw chemicals to produce Rodinal, Caffenol, and would like to get raw chems for Pyrocat-HD

Note: I did use D-76 on rolls and even it is giving gret results i didn't favorite it over TMAX, not even Ilfosol 3 for some films, and HC-110 seems to be another great one that i will use over D-76 on time.

hi tareq

you can use TMAX developer for sheets, but it has to be TMAX RS, otherwise you will have problems.
the other developers seem like they would work fine for sheets, just look on the container
for times in continuous agitation systems, if the tanks are the kind that spin or roll or rock
all the time. years ago i used tmax rs, replenished, in deep tanks with hangers, it was OK, i also used sprint film developer
replenished the same way ... it is similar to d76 and id-11 .. never had troubles.
i can't speak for rodinal, or pyrocat or hc110 or ilfosol3 ... i am sure as long as the developer isn't above 68F things will work out.
caffenol is great with sheet films too. check out reinhold's caffenol blog for the newest formulation, caffenol -cf .. fine grain and makes beautiful images.

good luck !
john

TareqPhoto · Aug 18, 2012

jnanian said:
hi tareq

you can use TMAX developer for sheets, but it has to be TMAX RS, otherwise you will have problems.
the other developers seem like they would work fine for sheets, just look on the container
for times in continuous agitation systems, if the tanks are the kind that spin or roll or rock
all the time. years ago i used tmax rs, replenished, in deep tanks with hangers, it was OK, i also used sprint film developer
replenished the same way ... it is similar to d76 and id-11 .. never had troubles.
i can't speak for rodinal, or pyrocat or hc110 or ilfosol3 ... i am sure as long as the developer isn't above 68F things will work out.
caffenol is great with sheet films too. check out reinhold's caffenol blog for the newest formulation, caffenol -cf .. fine grain and makes beautiful images.

good luck !
john

Ok John, i will keep reading and check out different forums and blogs, sure there are many information i can get about developers used for sheets, and the examples will show the proof, in all cases, i am sure even using TMAX normal i will get some good results, but i better follow the warning instructions to not use it, and save this developer for rolls only, in all cases D-76 which i got 2 days ago will be the default one to use for sheet now.

Bill Burk · Aug 18, 2012

I can't speak about tanks, since I develop in trays. And I can't speak about any developer but D-76 1:1, since I only use that. But it has never let me down and I get consistent, controllable results from it.

caffenol has the magical property that it makes you a more productive photographer... just look at all the work that jnanian shows...

Sirius Glass · Aug 18, 2012

I have had extremely good results with Kodak XTOL, used straight and replenished. The tonal ranges are much smoother with Kodak XTOL replenished.

If you use a Jobo processor for Ilford FP4 or Ilford HP5 use the rotational times for XTOL straight and add one minute to the non-rotational times at 20° C. As both Kodak and Jobo recommend, do not presoak for XTOL nor XTOL replenished when using a rotary process.

TareqPhoto · Aug 18, 2012

Bill Burk said:
I can't speak about tanks, since I develop in trays. And I can't speak about any developer but D-76 1:1, since I only use that. But it has never let me down and I get consistent, controllable results from it.

caffenol has the magical property that it makes you a more productive photographer... just look at all the work that jnanian shows...

I will use D-76 for sure because i bought it for LF tank processing, i have many sheets and that developer will run out withing 5-6 times processing.

About caffenol, i can't wait to mix this dev and use it for roll and sheet, i have enough quantity of the chemicals to use, so i am safe to use it anytime i want.

TareqPhoto · Aug 18, 2012

Sirius Glass said:
I have had extremely good results with Kodak XTOL, used straight and replenished. The tonal ranges are much smoother with Kodak XTOL replenished.

If you use a Jobo processor for Ilford FP4 or Ilford HP5 use the rotational times for XTOL straight and add one minute to the non-rotational times at 20° C. As both Kodak and Jobo recommend, do not presoak for XTOL nor XTOL replenished when using a rotary process.

I have XTOL un-opened since 2 years, i hope the powder is still fine and not exhausted from not opened and used. The only bug that preventing me to use XTOL long time ago i mean since i bought it is the shelf-life, i didn't shoot much film that time to use XTOL much, that 5L is a pain in....., so i kept it to use when i will shoot a lot of films, now with tank processing for 1L i may use this developer 5 times for full strength or 10 times if going 1:1[or 1+1], i bought XTOL because i saw results and heard it is amazing developer, and it give higher contrast i think, so i hope i can use it very soon, it is there as option if i will shoot many many sheets, if not then i will keep it more longer until time i have hundreds of films [rolls/sheets] to develop.

Bill Burk · Aug 18, 2012

TareqPhoto said:
I will use D-76 for sure because i bought it for LF tank processing, i have many sheets and that developer will run out withing 5-6 times processing.

The capacity figure I use for D-76 is about 2 ounces stock per sheet of 4x5 film... So, for example, from a gallon stock I would develop approximately 64 sheets...

p.s. I work for Kodak but the opinions and positions I take are my own and not necessarily those of EKC.

TareqPhoto · Aug 18, 2012

Bill Burk said:
The capacity figure I use for D-76 is about 2 ounces stock per sheet of 4x5 film... So, for example, from a gallon stock I would develop approximately 64 sheets...

p.s. I work for Kodak but the opinions and positions I take are my own and not necessarily those of EKC.

That if i will use this developer mostly as 1+1, not as full strength, but i said 5-6 times because i will try going with full strength once or twice and the rest will be 1+1.

Bill Burk · Aug 18, 2012

TareqPhoto said:
That if i will use this developer mostly as 1+1, not as full strength, but i said 5-6 times because i will try going with full strength once or twice and the rest will be 1+1.

If you used full strength D-76 and didn't exhaust its capacity, you can run a second batch of film through. Spec sheets say to add 15% to development time. I once "accidentally" tested this and found the developer activity was reduced (by measuring Contrast Index) by about 15%... So although it's not as well controlled, it can be done...

TareqPhoto · Aug 18, 2012

Bill Burk said:
If you used full strength D-76 and didn't exhaust its capacity, you can run a second batch of film through. Spec sheets say to add 15% to development time. I once "accidentally" tested this and found the developer activity was reduced (by measuring Contrast Index) by about 15%... So although it's not as well controlled, it can be done...

Well, i will consider that but i don't think i want to do or go this route, it is not that i am very careful not to waste any drop of this developer, D-76 is crazy cheapo, and i still have that ID-11, so i may use this one after running out D-76, so no need to reuse the developer if i used full strength, i don't think i may develop something after very soon to keep it, unless i shoot 10-20 sheets in less than 1 week then i may think about it.

Jim Jones · Aug 18, 2012

TareqPhoto said:
. . . i have reading on TMAX sites whether from the stores or Kodak that TMAX is not recommended for sheets or say only for rolls, well, didn't read that on HC-110. . . .

I routinely use regular TMAX developer for sheet TMAX film with a prewash and diluted fresh in small quantities for trays. I haven't made comparative tests with the recommended developers, but it seems to work well enough.

Bill Burk · Aug 18, 2012

TareqPhoto said:
Well, i will consider that but i don't think i want to do or go this route...

I wouldn't normally run a second batch of film either. It's a good trick to save for when you have just one or two leftover sheets and you aren't too worried how they come out...

TareqPhoto · Aug 18, 2012

Jim Jones said:
I routinely use regular TMAX developer for sheet TMAX film with a prewash and diluted fresh in small quantities for trays. I haven't made comparative tests with the recommended developers, but it seems to work well enough.

What is the reason of that warning about not recommending TMAX for sheet? Is it for trays processing warning or tanks? I don't like trays processing at all and i don't have Jobo drum processing, only Tank is my option.

TareqPhoto · Aug 18, 2012

Bill Burk said:
I wouldn't normally run a second batch of film either. It's a good trick to save for when you have just one or two leftover sheets and you aren't too worried how they come out...

The problem is, i keep the great film sheets such as TMAX/Trix/HP5+ for serious actual work, i will shoot with tests sheets of Arista EDU Ultra 100/400, when i am fine with shooting LF then i will start to go with Kodak/Ilford and Neopan Acros sheets.

I was thinking to try going with Arista chemical for Arista film, but to be honest i am very much looking for getting Pyrocat HD, i heard it is great for rolls and sheets, and it has long storage life and also i can dilute large[maybe up to 100].

I will keep my searching and looking at examples going, and i will appreciate any help here

Tony-S · Aug 19, 2012

I routinely use XTOL for taco development, but will use Perceptol 1+2 at 72F for the Acros once I start on it.

nworth · Aug 21, 2012

The same developers that you use for roll film work just fine with sheet film. In a few cases there may be some time changes, but usually everything is the same. Some older developer formulas also work well with sheet film. DK-50 may be worth looking at.

MattKing · Aug 21, 2012

IIRC, the problem with T-Max developer that is addressed with T-Max RS relates to a propensity for introducing dichroic fog.

Again, IIRC, the difference in the support materials used for sheet film as compared to roll films is the reason why the sheet films are more susceptible to dichroic fog.

TareqPhoto · Aug 22, 2012

Well, i am going to use D-76 for now and later will think about something else, i did develop one sheet before using D-76 on trays, i hated trays processing, and the results wasn't bad but not impressive to me, i really don't know what our lab use, i sent them 2 sheets of B&W and 2 slides, ignore the color one, out of two B&W sheets only one came out as the second was blank because not exposed, you remembered when i posted about my mistake double exposing one sheet, but the result was amazing, not sure if that is because the double exposure or because of the processing they did.

I have XTOL as well, but i said before i don't want to run this one so soon, and i will use Arista Ultra Edu sheets to shoot more for tests, so i will go with D-76 and also ID-11 for now, when i feel more confident shooting with LF i will use other film sheets such as Acros and HP5+ and TXP320 i have.

developers for sheets

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