Diafine for microfilm

[CarbonArc]

Hello, in this post (https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/diafine-in-rotary-processors.7966/post-106971) a user talks about using diluted Diafine as a developer for microfilm with good results. I can't find any other info on the web about using Diafine like this. Has anyone else here done the same with a diluted Diafine part a?

I would like to use Kodak Imagelink FS at 100 ISO or faster.

Donald Qualls is still active here it seems, but I cannot DM them.

 

[MattKing]

Welcome to Photrio.
Typing @Donald Qualls may work to attracting Donald's attention.

 

[CarbonArc]

Thank you. Perhaps he will respond later.

While we are on the subject of diafine, does anyone use it for developing slide film?

 

[Raghu Kuvempunagar]

A high contrast developer is generally used as the first developer for slide films. Diafine wouldn't be able to provide the required contrast.

 

[lamerko]

Has anyone tried reversing microfilms like Kodak 1461?

 

[CarbonArc]

I will be processing Kodak FS & EPM RA with peracetic acid bleach this weekend to try to make slides with it. I should have something to say about it next monday.

 

[drmoss_ca]

I use Diafine in a motorised Rondinax with good results. However, it can give grainy results with some films, and if you are using a very small format film that might not be good. I get acceptable results with half-frame 35mm.

 

[CarbonArc]

I didnt get to my reversal processing this weekend, nor did I scan. But I did take some photos on the light table really quick. It seems like The FS likes to be exposed at about ISO 50 in Diafine.

Photos are through the loupe, at 25, 50, & 100 ISO. Reversed digitally for viewing.

 

[CarbonArc]

I tried developng the Kodak FS in Diafine twice, with 6 30 second RO water washed inbetween the first and second dev. The film came out fogged. Not a success.

I also tried reversing the film with 3% Hydrogen Peroxide and Distilled White Vinegar as bleach, and then Iron Out as Fogger/Second Developer. That film came out black, with faint positive images on that were visible only when the light reflected off of the film. The film itself was too dark to see any light through at all.

 

[Don_ih]

I think diluting diafine will kill it pretty quickly.

If you want something for microfilm, try Pyrocat HD. Or POTA.

Microfilm is only tamable to a degree.

 

[CarbonArc]

I am pretty happy with normal Diafine. At ISO 50 it looks good and I can make good enlargements. I just wanted to see if developing twice would push the film at all, it didnt.

 

[CarbonArc]

Has anyone mixed diafine at a stronger concentration to push film?

 

[Don_ih]

That's something you could try but may not really work. A higher concentration of either bath may result in fog build-up rather than increased contrast (the normal result of pushing film). Diafine has a characteristic of taming contrast most of the time. It's great for flash photography, for instance.

There's nothing stopping you from running your film through a second developer after taking it out of Diafine bath B. That may add some contrast. (Pushing adds contrast, it doesn't increase film speed. As in, it adds more development to the light the film could see and does nothing to increase the amount of light the film saw.)

 

[destroya]

there are a lot of threads on B&W reversal that you might want to read. For the first developer you want a very active one. I use D72/dektol which a lot of others use as well

john