Film developer Spur HRX 3: Experiences?

[Film-Niko]

Hi,

I've heard that there is a new film developer on the market (combining very fine grain and good sharpness) called Spur HRX 3. Do anyone know this developer? Has anyone already used it and can report about experiences?

And which shops are offering it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Distagon]

Yes, I know Spur HRX-3 very well, because I have tested it and developed many rolls in it. It is an excellent developer. Especially for the modern emulsions like TMX, Acros and Delta. My experience:

- extremely fine grain

- very good sharpness

- very high resolution

- ideal characteristic curve

- box speed with TMX and TMY-2; ISO 80/20° with Delta 100 and Acros 100

- the data sheet with developing times is very precise

- it's a liquid developer, no hassle with powder

- excellent shelf life of 2 years

HRX-3 is now my main developer for TMX, TMY-2, Delta 100 and 400, and for Acros 100. I am very satiesfied and can highly recommend it.

You can get it for example from www.phototec.de or www.nordfoto.de

 

[Henning Serger]

Hello,

I can confirm the results of 'Distagon', my experiences are almost identical. HRX-3 is the successor of HRX-2, and I have used HRX-2 for years. It replaced XTOL in my photography, because with HRX-2 I achieved better sharpness. Especially with Ilford Delta 100 and Delta 400. Grain was on a similar level with both developers. And because I prefer liquid developers, HRX-2 was the better option for me compared to mixing 5 litres stock solution of XTOL.

The main improvement of HRX-3 is the much improved shelf life of two years now. There was a report of an independant chemist in a German photo forum who proved it with his own incubator and confirmed the shelf life of two years.

The other improvement is a bit better fineness of grain and sharpness with some films (e.g. TMY-2). At least my experience in direct comparison.

Therefore for me HRX-3 is now "the better XTOL".

Other photographers say that the new HRX-3 is better suitable for the Zone System than the former version HRX-2. Here is another test report (in English) of a well known German fine art photographer (R. Sänger):

http://www.aphog.de/downloads/Spur/Presse-HRX-3-engl.pdf

The company SPUR of photo engineer Heribert Schain has a very good reputation in Europe, like Wolfgang Moersch. Both are "Wizards of photo chemistry" . Mr. Moersch is specialist for staining developers, toners and lith developing, and Mr. Schain is concentrating on research in high resolution and high speed developers.

To answer your question concerning distributors: www.spur-photo.com , www.monochrom.com , www.nordfoto.de , www.phototec.de , www.macodirekt.de , www.fotoimpex.de . Only same examples.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[JanaM]

I am using Spur HRX-3 for the films with newer emulsion technology (T-Max, Delta, Acros), and for APX 100 and HP5+. For these films this developer is working best. I achieve very good sharpness, combined with very fine, but sharp (not "washed out") grain. Using this developer for the Zone System is possible, I've had no problems at all. The data sheet is very good.

It's excellent stuff (I've bought it at the Fotoimpex Shop in Berlin).

 

[Film-Niko]

Hi,

thank you all for your help and the excellent information!

Sounds very good, seems that this developer is worth a try.

 

[Joerg Bergs]

I´m back to XTOL because of some problems with HRX-2 in the past (problems with mildew). I have some advantages with XTOL if I use a dilution of 1+3: The grain is same than HRX (2), the sharpness also, but I get a lot more Filmspeed with all kinds of films I use.

 

[Henning Serger]

Hello Jörg,

I´m back to XTOL because of some problems with HRX-2 in the past (problems with mildew).

I've never had any problems with HRX-2, neither with normal shelf life nor with mildew. But I have stored the developer always properly in full glass bottles. I am doing this always with all my developers.
The manufacturer improved the formula of HRX-2 almost two years ago to avoid mildew even under not optimal storing conditions.
So it was not a problem with the last batches of HRX-2 anymore.

And HRX-2 is the past. We want manufacturers to improve their products, so here we go.
HRX-3 has also protection against mildew and an improved overall shelf life of two years (proved by an independant chemist).
And a shelf life of two years should be sufficient to expend a 250 ml bottle during this time .

I have some advantages with XTOL if I use a dilution of 1+3: The grain is same than HRX (2), the sharpness also, but I get a lot more Filmspeed with all kinds of films I use.

My experinece is a bit different (with Ilfords Deltas, TMY-2):
XTOL 1+3: finer grain and a bit better sharpness with HRX-3
XTOL 1+2 and 1+1: similar grain level, but better sharpness with HRX-3

The HRX-3 negatives are looking more "crisp" in comparison. Of course, this is often a matter of taste. I like it.

Best regards,
Henning