efke 100 sheet film

[skyking71]

Hi, I've just started using efke 100 in 5x7 sheet size and am developing it in D-76 1:1 at the recomended time of 8 mins at 68degrees. While I am happy with the results I am wondering what some of you are doing with your efke and what would you recomend for developer and times. I rate the film at 50 asa. Thanks.

 

[skyking71]

oooops, instead of 8 mins I should have put 10 mins. Thanks again.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I posted a couple of my first test shots a while back:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

These were at EI 100, but now I'm rating it at EI 80 for 10 min. in PMK 1+2+100, 68deg. F, agitating every 15 sec. in a Nikor 4x5" stainless steel tank.

 

[Ole]

I use FX-2 and develop by inspection - no idea of the time. Alternatively I use stand development for 90 minutes. I rate it at 100, but shadow density is good enough that I could probably get away with 200.

 

[roy]

Alternatively I use stand development for 90 minutes

Still the same developer I presume Ole, any agitation at all ?

 

[Ole]

Same developer, FX-2, but at half strength. I generally agitate for the first minute, then leave it alone.

The first time I tried this I had just two 9x12cm sheets to develop, so I decided to put them in an old "Johnson Cutplate Developing Tank". Inversion is impossible, indeed agitation of any kind is as good as impossible. So I gave a five-minute presoak, poured out the water, poured in developer, then went off to watch TV for a while. Poured out developer after about 90 minutes, then quick water wask and fix. Negatives were exellent!

 

[juan]

I've been using Pyrocat HD, 2:2:100 for Azo, brush development. I develop by inspection and begin looking at 8-minutes.
juan

 

[Donald Miller]

I developed the first Efke PL100 that I have shot today in BTZS type tubes. Using gentle agitation I developed a SBR 5 negative (N+2 or thereabouts) for 25 minutes in Pyrocat HD 1-1-100. When I read the net density through the blue channel of my densitometer I found that the density range was 1.35. This would probably print on a diffusion light source enlarger (grade 1 1/2 to 2) but would possess to much contrast for my condensor enlarger without resorting to split development.

I next processed a SBR 6 negative (N+1 or thereabouts). Using the same method as previous I developed for 17 minutes and the density range was 1.40. Again would print on Grade 1-1/2 on diffusion but would be to contrasty for condensor without split development.

I next developed a SBR 5 negative for 20 minutes in the same manner as above. The net density of this negative was 1.20. This would print on both enlargers...although condensor would require minimal split development.

My last negative (SBR5) was developed in a minimal agitation using Pyrocat HD 1-1-200 (twice normal dilution for enlarging) for 40 minutes. Agitation of one minute at outset and 15 seconds at 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 of total development time. The net density of this negative was 1.09. This method of development has provided the sharpest negative that I have probably ever encountered. This negative density is tailor made for a condensor head.

This is probably going to be my film/developer of choice from now on based upon the four negatives that I have processed. This film builds almost as much density with Pyrocat at 1-1-100 dilution as Classic 200 does with 2-2-100 dilution.

I look forward to further trials of more normal contrast scenes. This film certainly has loads of potential insofar as expansion of contrast and the development in BTZS type tubes eliminates the damage potential that some have encountered in tray development.

 

[roy]

I developed the first Efke PL100 that I have shot today in BTZS type tubes. .

This is interesting as I have started to use this film (albeit in 120 size) and have been talking to Francesco about his experiences with gentle agitation, like you, also in large format. I shall be using small tank and am trying to assess what sort of development times I need to give to achieve 'gentle agitation'. I think I must expose a film that I am prepared to sacrifice to find out what is happening, never having used pyrocat before.

 

[Donald Miller]

These are the development times that I have determined for Efke PL100 sheet film using BTZS type tubes. These were developed using Pyrocat HD at a dilution of 1-1-100.

SBR 7 (n development)--11 minutes at 70 degrees

SBR 6 (N plus one development or thereabouts)--14 1/2 minutes

SBR 5 (N plus two development or thereabouts)--18 1/2 minutes

These times will give a density range of appr. 1.20. This is net density (high density minus low density...not minus FB+fog). These should work with a diffusion light source enlarger.

This film appears to have great potential as an Azo or alternative film since it builds density much faster and to a greater extent then Classic 200.

 

[Silverpixels5]

I use it with ABC in 8x10 and 5x7 sheets. I brush develop by inspection individual negatives for bout 4 minutes at 75F. Give or take a minute or two for expansion and contraction as needed. I've also use the film with Pyrocat HD in 120 and 135. I semi-stand develop those at a 1:1:150 dilution for anywhere from 30min to 1 hr depending on the temperature. You can expect to get full speed out of the stand developed PCat...sometimes more...