Ilford PanF+ 50 - Which developer?

Kirks518 · Nov 25, 2015

So for fun, I grabbed an Olympus Pen FT and some lenses, to replace a Canon Demi S.

So for half frame, I figure PanF+ will be best if I want to make any decent sized enlargements, since it has a very fine grain.

So in your experience, what would be the recommended developer to use to keep the grain at a minimum? I have D-76 (and a bottle of TMax), but not sure if D-76 will keep the grain at bay.

zanxion72 · Nov 25, 2015

D-76 works great with the PanF. Even better does the D-23 witch recovers a bit of the highlights more than the D-76 does.

JW PHOTO · Nov 25, 2015

I think I'd go for Delta 100 or Tmax 100. I think grain and sharpness are actually a little better with Tmax 100. Plus, it's one heck of a lot faster. I can never get higher than ISO/EI of 32 and ISO 25 is better with my metering. I do like PanF+, but for a walk-a-round camera ISO 100 or above is actually better. My best results are at ISO 25 with Perceptol 1+2 and Rodinal 1+100 Stand-developed for 1 Hr. Just my opinion of course! John W

Hatchetman · Nov 25, 2015

Go TMax 100 with one of the developers you have.

chriscrawfordphoto · Nov 25, 2015

D-76 is fine. Rodinal is very beautiful with Pan-F. I haven't tried Tmax Developer for this film.

removed account4 · Nov 25, 2015

i like caffenolC

bvy · Nov 25, 2015

Diafine!

mesantacruz · Nov 25, 2015

d76 1+3 !!!

OptiKen · Nov 25, 2015

My, my.
With 77,666 members on APUG I wonder how many different suggestions you will get.

summicron1 · Nov 25, 2015

OptiKen said:
My, my.
With 77,666 members on APUG I wonder how many different suggestions you will get.

77,667, of course.

Athiril · Nov 25, 2015

T-Max 100 and Delta 100 are better than Pan F+ in terms of sharpness/resolution, grain, and tonal scale (unless you shot Pan F+ at a lower speed).

Adding 5mg of potassium iodide per litre of working developer increases the resolution developed on the film with all these films, I'd use straight D76 with that combination, better yet would be Xtol.

bobbotron · Nov 25, 2015

I use Rodinal 1:50 with Pan F, it is a sharp and simple combo. Not the most high tech combo.

Here's a good sample in 35mm.

MartinP · Nov 25, 2015

It depends how contrasty your subject is as to what EI you use and what developer you choose. For a sharp PanF result I can recommend ID11/D76 1+3. It will take a while to develop and you have to use more than the minimum amount of stock, but it works very nicely. For more 'real' speed choose one of the Delta or TMax films, but PanF can look lovely if you bear in mind the contrast.

Jeff Bradford · Nov 25, 2015

T-Max 100 in D-76

Colin Corneau · Nov 25, 2015

chriscrawfordphoto said:
D-76 is fine. Rodinal is very beautiful with Pan-F. I haven't tried Tmax Developer for this film.

I'd have to concur with this one. I've only used Rodinal with Pan-F and it worked out wonderfully.

On a side note, since you have a half-frame why not go full-Daido and use some TMZ or push some HP5 to 3200? Revel in the grain!

NB23 · Nov 26, 2015

I loved Pan-F in Ilfosol-3 1:14 so much, when I tried it for the first time, that I went and purchased 10 Bulk rolls and 3 bottles of Ilfosol-3.

But I did the same with Tmax 100 a few months before: 10 Bulk rolls and a few packs of D76.

piu58 · Nov 26, 2015

I use Rodinal with Pan-F. It is a fine combination.

Xmas · Nov 26, 2015

Meter more carefully, use any developer you have, ...

Nathan King · Nov 26, 2015

I've only tried it with Ilfotec DD-X but was very happy with the results. The contrast at the published time was very reasonable too.

zanxion72 · Nov 26, 2015

With D-76 1+3 you can get excellent tonality and absolutely no grain at all like this:

With Rodinal 1+50 you will have grain and a more compressed tonal range like that:

The second one might look a bit sharper, but I prefer the look of the first one.

doughowk · Nov 26, 2015

I've only started to use Pan F50;and have tried both Rodinal 1:50 and Adox FX-39. I prefer the latter for its contrast and lower grain pattern

ColColt · Nov 26, 2015

I have a few rolls of PanF in 35mm and 120 I haven't tried yet but will use Rodinal and HC-110 as a comparison. I dislike sulfite laden developers.

StephenT · Nov 26, 2015

Another vote for Diafine. Gives me full film speed or just a bit more.

JPR · Nov 26, 2015

Actually, I have a shot a lot that I developed in DD-X according to Ilford's recommendations. Quite nice wth good tonality especially in some high contrast settings.

I liked ACUROL-N a little better. Here is my first summary about that combination I posted over at RFF: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2548379&postcount=9 My basic conclusion is shoot at EI25 with ACUROL-N instead of ISO 50 because it's pretty high contrast, but I have yet to develop another roll.

ColColt · Nov 26, 2015

I've never heard of some of these developers, maybe I'm behind the times. Is Microdol-X even still around? Looks like that would be a good one to try.

Ilford PanF+ 50 - Which developer?

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