Film development options

[hblad120]

I am seeking information about film development that will increase the tonal range and contrast of some film I shot recently.

Here are some background facts. I just visited the mountainous rice terraces of Northern Luzon in the Philippines. Much of the landscapes I shot contained various shades of green, brown, and grey with some shadowing whenever I could get it into a shot. In black and white, of course, there will not be a great variation of tone.

The equipment I used were:

Leica M2 (35mm)
Rolliflex (6x6)
Inconta (6x6)

Yes, it was a retro photo shoot.

In the Leica I shot Efke 100 and Ilford HP5 at the rated speeds. In the Rollie and Iconta I shot Kodax Tri-X and Verichrome at the rated speeds.

I have recently started developing my own film and up until now my only experience has been with Tri-X using Rodinal. In the limited times I have been doing this I have loved the results I get using different dilutions, but the photos I have shot had a normal range of tones in the images. I develope using inversion in tanks, by the way, and my enlarger has a cold light in it.

Given the liklihood that the new images will not contain a great range of tones can you recommend a developer, dilutions, and times for each of these films that will increase the tonal range and contrast.

Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[clogz]

Have you ever considered using filters e.g. yellow, green, orange etc?

http://www.vividlight.com/articles/914.htm
Hans

 

[reellis67]

Contrast is a function of development time. For more contrast, bump the development time up a bit. I would start small, like %10-15 and do one roll at a time. You can also add some contrast to the negative if it is somewhat flat by toning it after development. This can be done after the negatives are dry if you so choose. It will only bump up contrast by 1/2 to 1 grade, but it is an option for post-development if you are not happy with the results. The upside of toning is that you negatives will be much more archival and untoned negs.

- Randy

 

[reellis67]

Oh, almost forgot, check the massive dev chart for good starting times.

- Randy

 

[rbarker]

Although the contrast can be expanded or contracted in the film by adjusting development time, corresponding adjustments need to be made in exposure when the shots are made to compensate. This becomes problematic for 35mm and roll film unless all of the images on the roll require similar adjustments.

In your situation, where all of the exposures have already been made, my suggestion would be to develop normally, and use variable contrast paper when printing. That will keep your negatives at similar density, but give you some additional contrast control over the prints.

 

[titrisol]

If I understand this correctly:
- you already exposed the film (tri-X, hp5, efke 100 and verichrome)
- You have developed Tri-X in Rodinal before and were happy with the results

Develop the Tri-X as you did before, having a longer tonal range shouldn;t be a problem

Then look into digitaltruth.com and check the time/temp for the films and developer you have and go for it!
I'd go easy on the agitation patterns in order to keep contrast in check and allow the tonal range not to blow.

 

[vet173]

Contrast is a function of development time.
- Randy

Acually I have found that time for density and agitation for contrast works for me. Randys recomendation to go to digital truth for start times is the best place to go bar none.

 

[lee]

Are there sceintific studies to back this up or is this just more bull s**t from you and your hawking of products? If you have proof I would love to see some results.

lee\c