Developing agfa apx400@200 with dektol

mohawk · Apr 19, 2008

Hey,

Yet another film developing question. I didn't find any usefull info on the net so I turn to apug
Has anyone tried this and if so what developing times and dilutions did you come up with ?

thanks !

P.S.: I already mixed the dektol to a working solution of 1+1

david b · Apr 19, 2008

Just to make sure....

dektol is for paper
xtol is for film

mohawk · Apr 19, 2008

I know dektol is meant for paper, but it's possible to develop film with dektol. It's gonna be very grainy, but that's what I'm going for

mohawk · Apr 19, 2008

Ok, the negatives are rinsing atm. I developed for 3mins and gave them 5s/min agitation. The dilution I used was 1:2.
I think they came out fine, but maybe slightly overdeveloped, I'll have to see..

TonyR · Apr 19, 2008

Hi there,

In the past I have dev'd HP5 Plus in Dektol 1+9 @ 20 deg C for 5 min, and it gave a nice contrasty and GRAINY look in the print (35mm HP5+ enlarged to 8x10). Tried same with both TMAX400 and Delta 400 35mm - contrast was up but grain disappointingly fine! Yes, I would use the HP5+ combo again for 'good' grain.

Regards
TonyR

mohawk · Apr 20, 2008

The apx(@200) gave me ok grain, nothing too spectacular though. I'll push to 1600 next time, and use a more diluted solution. This will increase the developing time which will contribute to grain aswell.

Thanks for your input TonyR !

BradS · Apr 21, 2008

It used to be quite common to develop negs in Dektol...either go 1+9 for something resembling normal or, try 1+3 or 1+4 for push processing. It is quite useful. I think there are a few here who frequently develop film in dektol. jnanian comes to mind.

Paul Verizzo · Apr 21, 2008

Try 1:23

Seriously.

Not long ago I came across an old Shutterbug story about DIY sensitometry. There were a couple of small shots of a house using different developers. One was 1:23 in Dektol. I swear, it had the best tonality of the bunch, whatever could be gleaned off of that old newsprint. No mention of development times, nor how they came up with 1:23.

It will never be fine grain, of course, cuz that 80 grams of sulfite is spread mighty thin. Probably very high acutence.

mohawk · Apr 22, 2008

Hey Paul,

Do you happen to know what the according dev time would be for lets say TMY-2 pushed to 1600 ?

Tom Hoskinson · Apr 22, 2008

BradS said:
It used to be quite common to develop negs in Dektol...either go 1+9 for something resembling normal or, try 1+3 or 1+4 for push processing. It is quite useful. I think there are a few here who frequently develop film in dektol. jnanian comes to mind.

Actually, John develops film in diluted Ansco 130. I occasionally do so, as well.

Paul Verizzo · Apr 22, 2008

Haven't a clue.

mohawk said:
Hey Paul,

Do you happen to know what the according dev time would be for lets say TMY-2 pushed to 1600 ?

Just made an observation.

Instructions for pushing TMY is in the data sheet for up to 3200.

dancqu · Apr 22, 2008

Paul Verizzo said:
No mention of development times, nor how
they came up with 1:23.

It will never be fine grain, of course, cuz that
80 grams of sulfite is spread mighty thin.
Probably very high acutance.

The amount of film and time developed and the solution
volume would give the whole story. Dektol is a carbonated
metol hydroquinone developer with sulfite. Likely at that
dilution, 1:23, compensating development predominated.

1:23? Easy. Worked REALLY GOOD! Dan

Tom Hoskinson · Apr 22, 2008

Tom Hoskinson said:
Actually, John develops film in diluted Ansco 130. I occasionally do so, as well.

I have developed several rolls of 35mm TMAX-100 in Ansco 130 diluted 20:1 - one shot developer use with minimal agitation. I also tried it at 10:1 - it worked ok, but I found that liked 20:1 better (more compensation effects).

Developing agfa apx400@200 with dektol

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