Diafine and zone system

Fall · Jul 3, 2017

Can diafine be used when using the zone system? I modify my developing patterns to get up to 10, so to avoid only falling within 7... I'm not sure how diafine will work with this, and of course I could experiment first, but films expensive and I could just ask a little first.

Merci.

eddie · Jul 3, 2017

I haven't used it in a very long time but I don't think Diafine lends itself to zone system work. It is not designed for expansions and contractions, with a set development time regardless of film. It does, however, seem to suppress blown out highlights. Someone ( Tim Layton?) called it "zone system in a can" or something similar, an acknowledgment to its ability to tamp down highlights. Bear in mind that I haven't used it in forever (and very few times) so my recollection may be off. Try to find the Tim Layton article on it ( if, in fact, I'm remembering it as his correctly).

eddie · Jul 3, 2017

It was Tim Layton, but it was "zone system in a box":
http://www.timlaytonfineart.com/blog/2015/3/diafine-a-black-and-white-developer

Fall · Jul 4, 2017

Thanks Eddie, I read most of the article, and yes diafine is not a very good use for the zone system.. I never used it before and got it on sale. Maybe it will be good for an auto half frame camera. Merci beaucoup.

Gerald C Koch · Jul 4, 2017

Among a half dozen other reason is that two bath developers distort the zones.

darkroommike · Jul 4, 2017

Why not, Saint Ansel, blessed be his name, used compensating developers, two part developers, and developers + water baths to control contrast all the time? I don't think he would have used Diafine, etc. as his primary go to developer but he might have used it to tame long contrast scenes.

Doc W · Jul 4, 2017

darkroommike said:
Why not, Saint Ansel, blessed be his name, used compensating developers, two part developers, and developers + water baths to control contrast all the time? I don't think he would have used Diafine, etc. as his primary go to developer but he might have used it to tame long contrast scenes.

Hey Mike, I don't think that anyone is saying you can't use it to control contrast, but it doesn't work well with zone system methodology (which is not only about contrast control).

Gerald C Koch · Jul 5, 2017

darkroommike said:
Why not, Saint Ansel, blessed be his name, used compensating developers, two part developers, and developers + water baths to control contrast all the time? I don't think he would have used Diafine, etc. as his primary go to developer but he might have used it to tame long contrast scenes.

Yes he did WHEN their use was appropriate.

darkroommike · Jul 6, 2017

Gerald C Koch said:
Yes he did WHEN their use was appropriate.

As I said he would have used it when he needed it but Diafine is so darn compensating it sort of negates the raison d'être of the Zone system.

RalphLambrecht · Jul 6, 2017

Gerald C Koch said:
Among a half dozen other reason is that two bath developers distort the zones.

Zone_system development always'diistorts' zones. nopeoblem that is what you want!

Fall · Jul 8, 2017

Thanks everyone. I'm sticking to xtol. I'll just use the diafine for tri x and creamy kentmere.

Paul Howell · Jul 8, 2017

Barry Thornton developed a divided developer that can be as a mixed developer for use with the zone system, I believe the formula is in The Edge of Darkness and sold by Photographer Formulary. But much more gain than Diafine.

Diafine and zone system

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