Ilford PanF+ 50 - Which developer?

[JW PHOTO]

Microdol-X is no longer. Ilford Perceptol is an equivalent of Microdol. But if you dislike high sulfite and/or highly solvent developers, the Microdol-type is not for you. These are extra solvent developers for extra fine grain.

You can get what is suppose to be exactly the same developer as Microdol-X from Freestyle. I have heard it is made by the very same company that makes developers for Kodak. I bought some and it seems to be everything Microdol-X was. This is what it's called
LegacyPro Mic-X Film Developer

 

[JW PHOTO]

If you are going to use Perceptol or LegacyPro Mic-X with PanF+ I would dilute 1+1 or better yet, 1+2 or 1+3. I use Perceptol 1+2 and sometimes 1+3 with PanF+ and the negatives are just great. You will get just a slight touch of grain(you're diluting the Sulfite content also when you dilute), but also a little better speed with diluted Perceptol. John W

 

[piu58]

> With Rodinal 1+50 you will have grain a

I don't have this much grain with Rodinal, but I use it at 16°C. Prints up to 30x40cm² are nearly grainless from 35 mm.

 

[Nathan King]

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.

That bike image makes me want to buy more Pan-F again! Glorious tonality!!!

 

[Kirks518]

I agree with Nathan!

That first image is what I think I'm after with this. And as I have D-76, it's a no brainer.

 

[jim appleyard]

Lots of good devs out there and a lot of it is how you use them, not so much which one.

However, my favorites are Rodinal, D-23/76 1+3, Pyrocat HD and Thornton's Two Bath with the "lite" bath B.

 

[JW PHOTO]

Lots of good devs out there and a lot of it is how you use them, not so much which one.

However, my favorites are Rodinal, D-23/76 1+3, Pyrocat HD and Thornton's Two Bath with the "lite" bath B.

Jim, what is "lite" bath B? Is that just Thornton's recommended lower Kodalk B bath or is it Borax instead of Kodalk?

 

[Oscar Carlsson]

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.

The bike picture is taken in low contrast, favoring the inherent contrast at EI 50 and recommended development time.

The second picture is taken at a high contrast scene, yet developed with the same/corresponding time with the same EI?

Why even compare them like this? That's comparing apples to oranges!

 

[jim appleyard]

Jim, what is "lite" bath B? Is that just Thornton's recommended lower Kodalk B bath or is it Borax instead of Kodalk?

It is the lower amount of Kodalk (metaborate) that I use for the 120 version of PF. I think it's 7g/liter that Thornton describes instead of 12. Nice negs.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

For maximum resolution with slow films it's common to use an acutance developer such as the Beutler formula. Among commercial products there are Acufine and Acu-1, a one-shot version of Acufine.