Getting back into the Darkroom...well Dark-bag..

Zedwardson · Jul 7, 2014

I am getting back to analog film photography, and photography in general for the first time in about five years. A lot has changed and yet some things have remained the same.

(My fave film died in 2012, you will be missed EFKE)

I looked for a "beginners" section, but did not see it, and if this is the wrong place please let me know. As a note, I do not plan to print, just develop B+W film.

What films that are available are like EFKE? And/or what are some films I should try?

Wikipedia says that Adonal = Rodinal, I wanted to confirm this before buying it, as Rodinal was the developer I liked to use...

Sorry for the stupid questions.

Edited to remove equipment questions. Now just film and Chemicals.

paul_c5x4 · Jul 8, 2014

You can't go far wrong with Ilford FP4+ or HP5+. If you want something slower, shoot PanF+ at I.E.25 - Don't know how Ilford films compare to Efke in terms of response, but the quality and customer support is way better with Ilford.

Pair any of the above films with D76 and you're all set.

Simonh82 · Jul 8, 2014

Adox used to sell Efke films as their CMS Art line. They have now created a CMS100 II. It is not an exact clone of the Efke film as some chemicals were not available but is meant to be similar. It is currently only available in 35mm and 4x5 sheet film. 120 format does not look like a reality any time soon according to this article http://www.theonlinedarkroom.com/2014/06/adox-chs-love-affair-continues.html.

Otherwise, FP4+ would be my choice for medium speed film and T-Max 400 of HP5+ for faster film.

Dr Croubie · Jul 8, 2014

Depends, what did you like about Efke? KB25 or KB100?
For ei25, there was only 1-stop overexposed PanF, but now there's a new Rollei RPX25, but it's new enough that not many people have tried it yet.
Or was it the grain, tones, curve, spectral response? Or the way it fell apart if you looked at it funny when it's wet? No direct-replacements there, best is to move on and try to love something else...

Zedwardson · Jul 8, 2014

Thanks - I used panF a fair amount, but I will try CMS and the Rollei as well. Guess it will be the fun of trying a number of types of film. And I never had it fall apart on me. I was also going to buy some Arista EDU so if i screw up, its not too expensive of a roll of film till I get my sealegs again. For faster then 100 I always used FP4+/HP5+ which appear to be secure in production.

darkosaric · Jul 8, 2014

There was a guy from Croatia here in Classifieds that was selling efke films. Send him message and ask does he still has some. Beside that - Adox CMS II is similar to efke 100. But if you will not print - then you are only half way there... consider printing again. If you don't have space and enlarger - then go for contact prints.

Zedwardson · Jul 8, 2014

I will be focusing on just the development. I have no interest in investing in printing.

I have done a lot of research and while I plan to sample a lot of films, I think that I will be using a lot of Ilford products.

Also just to confirm before I order on friday is that Adonal = Rodinal

paul_c5x4 · Jul 8, 2014

At the risk of being hung, drawn, and quartered - If you plan on scanning, Ilford recommend XP2 (although any C41 B&W film should give similar results). The reason being; as there are no silver grains to scatter the light and confuse any ICE software, the scans should show very little grain.

Zedwardson · Jul 8, 2014

Paul - I never had issues <doing evil unmentionable non-analog thing that shall not be named> on real silver photos. But then again, my level of expectation might be less.

madgardener · Jul 8, 2014

paul_c5x4 said:
At the risk of being hung, drawn, and quartered - If you plan on scanning, Ilford recommend XP2 (although any C41 B&W film should give similar results). The reason being; as there are no silver grains to scatter the light and confuse any ICE software, the scans should show very little grain.

It's really amazing what one can pick up when reading these threads. I've always had a devil of a time getting a good *beep* on black and white film. I've never asked about it, because this is a strictly analogue forum and the hybrid thread is on DPUG, which meant I had to register over there and just have way too many passwords/usernames as it is. Now I know why it's been so difficult.

ernesto.dequesada · Jul 8, 2014

Hi- Adonal is indeed the same formula as the old Rodinal. I usually order 3 bottles from Freestyle Photographic supplies (although there may be other places to order from). Adonal/Rodinal lasts. A long time as long as you don't open it.
I was using the stand developing technique for quite a while (dilution at 1:100 and leave for one hour, with only one rotation at the 30 minute mark), but lately I have been developing at recommended times - usually diluted 1:25 and at 20 degrees.
I would also recommend an app called Massive Dev (I have it on iPhone and iPad, but it may be available for Android too) It shows times, dilutions, and temperatures for all kinds of combinations of film and developer.
Enjoy shooting film and developing

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Zedwardson · Jul 8, 2014

ernesto.dequesada said:
Hi- Adonal is indeed the same formula as the old Rodinal. I usually order 3 bottles from Freestyle Photographic supplies (although there may be other places to order from). Adonal/Rodinal lasts. A long time as long as you don't open it.
I was using the stand developing technique for quite a while (dilution at 1:100 and leave for one hour, with only one rotation at the 30 minute mark), but lately I have been developing at recommended times - usually diluted 1:25 and at 20 degrees.
I would also recommend an app called Massive Dev (I have it on iPhone and iPad, but it may be available for Android too) It shows times, dilutions, and temperatures for all kinds of combinations of film and developer.
Enjoy shooting film and developing

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks, I do love that developer. Good to know it is still made. I am starting to rebuild my equipment for Black and white film.

fotch · Jul 9, 2014

Zedwardson said:
Paul - I never had issues <doing evil unmentionable non-analog thing that shall not be named> on real silver photos. But then again, my level of expectation might be less.

Are you going to scan photos (prints) or negatives?

Zedwardson · Jul 9, 2014

Negatives.

damonff · Jul 9, 2014

Foma 100 looks like EFKE 25 to me. I shoot it at ei 160 and develop it with HC110.

Zedwardson · Jul 10, 2014

Thanks Damonff, I will have add a few rolls to my order on Friday.

Getting back into the Darkroom...well Dark-bag..

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