Favorit Developer fro Ilford Multigrade FB?

[aoresteen]

What's your favorite developer for Ilford Multigrade FB and why? I've used Dektol and Zone VI Paper Developer (no longer available) in the past and as I get going in the darkroom again, I thought I might get some ideas for developers for Multigrade FB.

Thanks!

 

[miha]

Plain Multigrade developer works perfectly fine, keeps very well and doesn't leave sludge in the tray.

 

[MattKing]

Kodak Polymax T is what I use for everything. Performance similar to Dektol, in a liquid concentrate.

 

[lauffray]

Multigrade developer, love that it's a solution I don't have to pre-mix

 

[Darkroom317]

I really like Ansco 130 (Formulary 130). Nice tones and it lasts a long time. I will say that it is a pain to mix compared to some other developers but worth it.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Which multigrade? I have different formulas for different versions. But if you want a published elixir, it's hard to go wrong with 130 for Warmtone and Classic. I don't use it for Cooltone, however, or it won't come out cool!

 

[Rick A]

I use LPD for everything, different dilutions for warm or cool tones with no change in developing times.

 

[tony lockerbie]

I used to use LPD, but the cost of getting it from the States is too high now. I really liked that developer, but now have settled for Dektol, easy to mix and consistent.

 

[winger]

I use Ilford multigrade developer, but have used Sprint in the past (it was easy to get when I lived in MA and no shipping). I only use liquid concentrates as powders are just not worth it to me (pain to mix and I have asthma so I don't need any more dust in the air).

 

[aoresteen]

Thanks all! I'm not a fan of liquid developers as they seem to cost more (shipping issues as well) but I'm going to look into them. Definitely going to try Ansco 130 as well.

 

[Neal]

Dear Tony,

Arista "Ultra Cold Tone Developer" from Freestyle has a nice crisp look with Ilford Multigrade IV.

Neal Wydra

 

[Rick A]

I use Ilford multigrade developer, but have used Sprint in the past (it was easy to get when I lived in MA and no shipping). I only use liquid concentrates as powders are just not worth it to me (pain to mix and I have asthma so I don't need any more dust in the air).

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/searc...&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

LPD is available as a liquid as well.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

What's your favorite developer for Ilford Multigrade FB and why? I've used Dektol and Zone VI Paper Developer (no longer available) in the past and as I get going in the darkroom again, I thought I might get some ideas for developers for Multigrade FB.

Thanks!

I'm Dektol 1+2 all the way for all papers;FB around 3 min at 70F

 

[Dali]

I used to use LPD, but the cost of getting it from the States is too high now. I really liked that developer, but now have settled for Dektol, easy to mix and consistent.

LPD costs more than Dektol but lasts forever... My current LPD batch is 2.5 years old and is still going strong. I replenish it but I did not use it all yet...

 

[JackRosa]

I really like Ansco 130 (Formulary 130). Nice tones and it lasts a long time. I will say that it is a pain to mix compared to some other developers but worth it.

+1

 

[Ben 4]

Ilford Bromophen — I've been a fan for years.

 

[removed account4]

+1

+2 ( dektol is a close 2nd )

 

[StephenT]

LPD

 

[DAK]

Liquidol

 

[Roger Cole]

I use LPD for everything, different dilutions for warm or cool tones with no change in developing times.

+1. LPD. My favorite paper developer ever by a large margin.

Thanks all! I'm not a fan of liquid developers as they seem to cost more (shipping issues as well) but I'm going to look into them. Definitely going to try Ansco 130 as well.

LPD is available as either liquid or powder, though the liquid is more concentrated than the stock you mix from powder so the dilutions for working strength are different. But the instructions are clear about that. I've used both and with the proper dilution they are, to me anyway, indistinguishable. The powder is much less expensive.

 

[Roger Cole]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/searc...&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

LPD is available as a liquid as well.

Oops, great minds - should have read on ahead.

 

[Doc W]

I'm Dektol 1+2 all the way for all papers;FB around 3 min at 70F

Same as me. So why aren't my photos as good as yours?

But seriously, I like Dektol a lot and if you play with it you can coax warmtones out of MGIV FB.

 

[Roger Cole]

Dektol. Ooo boy, Dektol. I have hated that stuff since I first discovered there were alternatives.

It works fine, and it's readily available and pretty cheap. But it leaves blue stains anywhere that you even look at while using it (I know, I shouldn't ever try amidol) and the working strength mix is good for one session. People keep telling me otherwise but I've tried it many times and it just doesn't keep as a working strength solution, at least for me, even in full tightly capped bottles.

YMMV of course. I don't think any print is going to succeed or fail because it's developed in Dektol versus LPD versus MG developer versus fill-in-the-blank. For the most part they all work well enough, just pick the one whose other traits you like.

 

[Doc W]

hey Roger, blue stains? What paper are you using?