How to shorten FX-2 developing time

Hi All,

I like the results I am getting in 35 MM using Tmax 400 and FX-2. What I do not like is the rather long 18 min.@ 70 degree developing time. I would like to shorten this to about half or less of that amount without having to warm up my developing and fixing solutions.

I am using the suggested 1 part A to 1 part B to 9 parts water dillution scheme. If I were to dilute with, say, 3 parts water, would that substantially reduce the developing time? If so, by about how much and would there likely be any deleterious effects other than using up my stock solutions more quickly?

Thanks in Advance,

Jay L.

Fog level may elevate. Granularity may worsen. But speed may increase slightly. How big are the effects? You need to experiment to find that out.

Another thing is that the highlight contrast may become more crisp by increasing the concentration. You might not like that effect.

The long development times with these acutance developers (FX-1, FX-2, Neofin, Beutler, etc) is an integral part of their action. At one time, two versions of Neofin were made, Blue and Red. Willi Beutler remarked that the Red was made for impatient people who didn't like the longer developing times with the Blue.