For all beginners ...

[Jan Cornelius]

I began some months ago, I read every topic on film development I could possibly find on the net, I made carefull and well organized notes on every possible combination of film and developer, I tried numerous combo's, spent vasts amounts of cash on buying different films, different developers and actually had a great time doing all this....

What is the result of all this close to scientifically performed tests ..... I shoot Tri-x and D-76, I like rodinal, I love Efke 25 in neofin blue, I like HP5 in DD-X, I love APX 100 in X-Tol ... but the absolute orgasmic combo for me is Tri-x and D-76 .... like my grandfather used ...

Don't let yourself be driven to developemental madness, development is easy, stick to basics, read the notes on the film box, agitate according to standard principles, change your method only if you have a "carved in stone" reason to do this ... within this one combo you will use, you will have numerous possibilties to adapt and alter without switching from one fil/developer to the other and all combinations hereof --- Try to understand the limits of the film and the developer you use, and you will find that you need nothing else... forums are the greatest and biggest marketing tools any company could ever wish for .... Honest to god, I got involved in a barroom fight over Rodinal !!! yes, no huge titted blonds or brunette bimbo's involved but the fortunes and misfortunes of a frigging film developer ... hmmm yes ... respect other peoples choices, but don't get dragged in ... !

 

[shyguy]

Jan, you make a very good point that many folks fall victim to. There is no "silver bullet" only competence with a specific set of products. Select one film, one developer, and get to know it inside out.

These forums will tell you that this combo or that combo is the very best. it's all way too subjective. Use a film that is easy to get, within your price range, and generally preforms as you need it to. do the same for the developer. then go out and do what every good photographer does. Take pictures, lots of them.

S.

 

[jovo]

.... Honest to god, I got involved in a barroom fight over Rodinal !!! yes, no huge titted blonds or brunette bimbo's involved but the fortunes and misfortunes of a frigging film developer !

Wow!! a bar where you can argue about developers...now if you can also attract some huge titted blondes or brunette bimbo's, I'm gonna hang out there.

 

[Woolliscroft]

I am glad to hear that someone else uses Neofin Bleu. Try it with Ilford Pan-F for landscapes: it is stunning, especially as you use medium format, so won't see the grain increase.

David.

 

[noseoil]

I spent a year with PMK and Efke 25 until I wanted something different. My "final solution" in large format is hardly a novel one, Efke 100 and Pyrocat-HD with BTZS type development. I still use Efke 25, but not as much now, as the 100 is certainly more forgiving and flexible. Although, nothing matches 25 for metallic surfaces, it isn't nearly as friendly. tim

 

[dr bob]

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What is the result of all this close to scientifically performed tests ..... I shoot Tri-x and D-76, I like rodinal, I love Efke 25 in neofin blue, I like HP5 in DD-X, I love APX 100 in X-Tol ... but the absolute orgasmic combo for me is Tri-x and D-76 .... like my grandfather used ...

Yeah! I guess I could act as your grandfather. After 50+ years of messing about, Tri-X and Plus-X still rules. D76, D76 1:1. and of course Rodinal depending of the subject matter and exposure. (Zone System stuff, you know .)