Experience with RPX 25 in Rodinal

Hi APUG folks!

I've read a few threads on RPX 25 here, I thought I'd post a few results of it in 35mm, in Rodinal 1 to 50. I decided to not try to do anything daring to it, I did a pre wash which didn't seem to hurt the process.

I'm pretty impressed with this film, I'll definitely be buying more. I like that it's so slow, it really makes you take your time. These are scanned with a K3 and a home made light box, I tried to not play with the levels, curves much going from raw to jpg in Rawtherapee. I would love to try to wet print some of these, when I get an enlarger.

I think these three are my favourites of the roll, it really is a tight grained film, I'll definitely be trying it in 120.

I'm uploading a number of more photos to the following flickr album in case it's of interest.

Nice images. I have a fondness for this film as well, and can assure you that it puts out a nice image in 120 format. The slow speed is great when you want to have the absolute minimum in depth of field.

I'm also a fan of Retro 80S, though it doesn't have the tone curve that this film has and will blow out highlights if you are not careful. That said, it has an amazingly tight grain.

Thanks, I'm really happy with how they turned out, it's a classy look.

I also like Retro 80s, I shot a number of rolls earlier this year, it's one of my favorite daytime films!

What I find so nice about this film is how complimentary it is to the subject. I shot the middle image, and we shot some digital, some Kentmere, and some X-ray film the same evening under the same lights. The X-ray film has been processed but not contact printed yet. Judging by the negatives, it'll make Rob here look pretty gritty. The digital images show how tired he was (bags under eyes, redness in eyes). The Kentmere isn't processed yet, but I'm guessing it won't be this sympathetic to the subject. I've got some rolls of Retro 80 to try out, but I think I'm going to need to pick up some of this for myself and compare. I can see this becoming my go-to portrait film when I have my flashes.

Hi Bob,

My favourites are your Rideau canal photos.

I like RPX 25 as well. I bought a bulk roll. So far, I've use it with SPUR HRX and Acurol-N at ISO 25 (instead of suggested 20) for landscape, and nature. I haven't tried portrait. But it should be good as well. According to the tech. sheet, the film is quite fine with over- or under-exposure up to 2 stops. I also like RPX 25 + Obsidian Aqua combo works by Richard (aka, Regular Rod) and Steve Barnett (see my flickr favourites). So the next roll of RPX 25 will be with OA.

Bests,

Ashfaque

Thought I would post another scan from this stuff. I also have a bulk roll of it now. Very nice film indeed! I am looking to get a nice travel tripod so I can make use of it more often once not burdened by the tyranny of camera shake blur.

Bobbotron, images look excellent. Price on the film looks scarey. You mentioned getting a bulk roll - where did you find it?
Many Thx.

HiHoSilver said:

Bobbotron, images look excellent. Price on the film looks scarey. You mentioned getting a bulk roll - where did you find it?
Many Thx.

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Thanks! I got it from the Canadian distributor Argentix ( http://www.argentix.ca ), I'm considering getting a second roll so I'll be set for some time.

Good thread and very timely. I also have some of this film and want to try it with both Rodinal and ACUROL-N. Won't get to it till May or so though. Bobbotron, what are the details of your development process with Rodinal?

Ashfaque said:

So far, I've use it with SPUR HRX and ACUROL-N at ISO 25 (instead of suggested 20) for landscape, and nature.

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Ashfaque, if you have some experience with ACUROL-N and RPX25, you could post on my knowledge building thread on RF Forum here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2548379

Hi John,

I don't have my negatives (, and other things near me now. But I can offer my non-scientific and qualitative impression of RPX 25 now:
(1) RPX 25 is not as tough to control contrast as Retro 80S is, regardless of which developer I used (HRX, Acurol-N, R09).
(2) Grain is very similar to Retro 80s - s.t. SPUR HRX. If you want some resolution numbers check (there was a url link here which no longer exists).
(4) Concerning Acurol-N + RPX 25 combination: I exposed them at ISO 25, instead of 20. Under a Kaiser Slimlite LED Light Box (Model # 2448), I liked the results. They are a bit on the high contrast side, but ok for me.
(3) You can expose this film at ISO 50 as well. See R. Puhle's post here, where he liked the outcome @ ISO 50 with HRX. However, please read Heribert's response there as well.

BTW, I translated RPX 25's tech. datasheet in English with the help of Uwe Pilz. Hope you find it useful.

Bests,
Ashfaque

PS: will post the same thing at RFF

I develop in Rodinal 1+100 for 15mins.

Lars

I finally developed a roll of RPX 25 in 120 format, Rodinal 1+50. Very nice results, I could use a better scanner, there's more resolution to be had than I could get in one shot.

Edit: should I not mention scanning here? Let me know, I will remove from my post. I thought it was useful to demonstrate the amount of detail this film has, don't feel that strongly about it though.

I've uploaded more photos to my flickr if anyone is interested.

Oh there's no other way to share a photograph other than scanning so go right ahead. The "purists" will comment but that's what they do. They scan too.

I just love the new electronic hall monitor. Orwell would love it too.

Forgive me for getting off track. Beautiful photo above Bobotron.

bobbotron said:

should I not mention scanning here

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Mentions are okay. As a subject of discussion, no.

MartinCrabtree said:

Oh there's no other way to share a photograph other than scanning so go right ahead. The "purists" will comment but that's what they do. They scan too.

I just love the new electronic hall monitor. Orwell would love it too.

Forgive me for getting off track. Beautiful photo above Bobotron.

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Thanks! I'm pretty happy with how that one turned out.

Thanks for the confirmation I was ok with that post too, cheers.