Ilfosol-3

NB23 · Jun 19, 2015

Emailed Ilford, never got an answer

So I'll ask here.

I noticed that my ilfosol-3 gives me extremely sharp negs.
And I read somewhere that it's not a solvent developer.

Can anyone confirm? Solvent or acutance?
Why so sharp?

John Bragg · Jun 19, 2015

It is listed by Ilford as one of its sharpest. As far as I know, it is ascorbate based and similar to xtol.

Oren Grad · Jun 19, 2015

John Bragg said:
As far as I know, it is ascorbate based and similar to xtol.

Per the MSDS available on the Ilford/Harman website, Ilfosol 3 is a phenidone/hydroquinone formula.

NB23 · Jun 19, 2015

Oren Grad said:
Per the MSDS available on the Ilford/Harman website, Ilfosol 3 is a phenidone/hydroquinone formula.

What does this mean, exactly?
Solvent? Acutance?

NB23 · Jun 19, 2015

I havd read on the ilford's site forum that ilfosol was not a solvent developer, with which I agree, despite its Ilfo"sol" name which probably only means Ilfo"solution" as in a chemical solution. My Ilfosol negs are sharper than my Rodinal negs. Especially HP5.

Xmas · Jun 19, 2015

NB23 said:
What does this mean, exactly?
Solvent? Acutance?

Cheap, long life after opening.
Like D76 dilute for more grain better sharpness.
The film type you chose controls most of the result.

NB23 · Jun 19, 2015

Xmas said:
Cheap, long life after opening.
Like D76 dilute for more grain better sharpness.
The film type you chose controls most of the result.

No, ilfosol is definitely not a D76 replacement. Tends toward a rodinal replacement.

Alan Johnson · Jun 19, 2015

Nowadays it seems OK to leave the harmless ascorbate (vitamin C) out of data sheets,eg Fomadon Excel, their Xtol type:
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/pdf/msds/foma/Fomadon_Excel_W27_Film_Dev.pdf
If this has been done for Ilfosol 3 and its pH is 9.8 it would be a moderate acutance developer similar to Ilfosol S with too low sulfite to give a solvent effect.

Xmas · Jun 19, 2015

NB23 said:
No, ilfosol is definitely not a D76 replacement. Tends toward a rodinal replacement.

Try microphen if you want something closer to D76.

NB23 · Jun 19, 2015

Xmas said:
Try microphen if you want something closer to D76.

No.
If I want something similar to D76 I'll use... Deeseventysix.

Paul Howell · Jun 19, 2015

Xmas said:
Try microphen if you want something closer to D76.

I always thought Microphen is more similar to DK 50 than D 76, ID 11 was the Ilford brand of D 76. I just mixed up my last gallon of Microphen to use with Foma 200 in 4X5.

Rodinalforever · Jun 19, 2015

Xmas said:
Cheap, long life after opening.

Are you sure abuot long life after opening?
My chemical's pusher always says that Ilfosol is an excellent high acutance developer, but one opened its life is shorter than "the life of a cat in a highway"... And its color doesn't change (doesn't turn in brownish) when it's expired.

NB23 · Jun 19, 2015

Imm left traumatized from lost films due to
Bad ilfosol-s, back in 94.
Now, I pile up 20 rolls and process them within a day or two.

NB23 · Jun 22, 2015

I received Ilford's answer this morning. It is an Acutance developer.
Thanks to Ilford for their prompt and thorough answer. And thanks to Michael, whose answer was very satisfactory.

cowanw · Jun 22, 2015

Rodinalforever said:
Xmas said:

Cheap, long life after opening.

Are you sure abuot long life after opening?
My chemical's pusher always says that Ilfosol is an excellent high acutance developer, but one opened its life is shorter than "the life of a cat in a highway"... And its color doesn't change (doesn't turn in brownish) when it's expired.

Click to expand...

He /she may be referring to Ilfasol S.
Ilfosol-3 has a much better life span, does turn brown and if decanted into smaller bottles retains its activity.
At least, in Canada.

NB23 · Jun 22, 2015

Ilfosol-3 is absolutely great.

zanxion72 · Jun 22, 2015

Also, Ilfosol 3 can have its lifetime prolonged if kept at low temperatures (5-7 degC). In contrast to other developers it does not generate any precipitate in such low temperatures.

cowanw · Jun 22, 2015

That's good to know although my wife is going to be upset that film and platinum supplies and developer will be in the fridge!

Simon R Galley · Jun 23, 2015

Keep it cool by all means... but under no circumstances freeze any developer.

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

miha · Aug 23, 2015

Just to revive this thread a bit as I know that the previous version, the Ilforsol S, wasn't famous for it's logeviti, so to my surprise a cool stored and originally sealed bottle of Ilfosol 3 manufactured in Nov 2011 turned out to be perfectly fine (tested on a 120 roll of FP4).

NB23 · Aug 23, 2015

The oxidation starts once it's open...

foc · Aug 27, 2015

I have been using Ilfosol 3 professionally for over a year ( I own a minilab). I decant into 100ml glass jars and as I use it at 1+14 I exhale through a straw into the jar before replacing the cap. I never had a problem with oxidation.
I find it a clean working developer, easy to use, economical @ 1+14. (I prefer the longer dev times with 1+14)

Here is a sample of Tri X in Ilfosol 3 1+14 @20C for 12 mins
https://www.flickr.com/photos/50664634@N08/18902475005

Ilfosol-3

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