Ilfosol S versus Ilfosol 3

[steven_e007]

I was a big fan of Ilfosol S and reckon it was under-rated, even by Ilford! Marketed as a convenience developer... it actually seemed to compete very well against most others that I tried for FP4+ and similar films.

The lack of shelf life was the one pain - I have had more than one completely blank film due to a 'mature' bottle of Ilfosol S. I switched to Perceptol for a while, but I miss the convenience of a fine grain liquid one shot...

So... Today I got my first bottle of Ilfosol 3 from Ag photographic. Just thought I'd ask some opinions from anyone who's tried it before I crack it open.
Is it as good?
Does it perform the same way?
Any noticeable differences?
Anyone discovered how it 'ages' in a half full bottle, yet?
Anyone discovered any tips/wrinkles/oddities?

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I haven't tried it but do remember the warnings when Ilfosol-S was the available product. Is it supposed to be an acutance developer, or more towards the 'fine grain' of Fotospeed FD10?

Tom

 

[Steve Smith]

I have not used the 3 version but when I sent a query to Ilford about shelf life I was told that Ilfosol 3 would last a lot longer. The actual words used were 'more robust'.

I used to use Ilfosol S all the time but changed to DD-X just before Ilfosol 3 came out.


Steve.

 

[steven_e007]

I haven't tried it but do remember the warnings when Ilfosol-S was the available product. Is it supposed to be an acutance developer, or more towards the 'fine grain' of Fotospeed FD10?

Tom

IMHO it is more of fine grain developer - not especially high acutance, although FP4+ which I mostly use seems to come out fairly high acutance whatever you develop it in It is Phenidone based, I think that isn't noted for producing mackie lines, like metol and some of the others...

 

[winger]

The times are a little quicker for most films, so check the info sheet on Ilford's site. I haven't left one open long enough to notice if it lasts longer - I learned with S to save up a batch of film and do them all in a relatively short time.

 

[pentaxuser]

Maybe I was luck but I never had a problem with Ilfosol S and found it was still fine after 9 months. Given that Ilford seems to have formulated Ilfosol 3 for longer life then if my experience is anything to go by, I'd expect at least 12 months life. However when I was using Ilfosol S I am pretty sure I used to decant it into a winebag and box which prevents any air entering as you use the liquid.

I switched to DDX because it was said to have suited the Delta range especially D3200 and not because of any problem with Ilfosol. Despite DDX's price I don't think I'll go back to Ilfosol.

pentaxuser

 

[steven_e007]

Maybe I was luck but I never had a problem with Ilfosol S and found it was still fine after 9 months.
pentaxuser

I think the problem was that it was a bit unpredictable - maybe the amount of air or the temperature was critical.... but when it went - it went Trouble was you wouldn't know until you used it and found the film wasn't just not well developed - it would often be totally blank. I did that twice, I think...

 

[bsdunek]

I think the problem was that it was a bit unpredictable - maybe the amount of air or the temperature was critical.... but when it went - it went Trouble was you wouldn't know until you used it and found the film wasn't just not well developed - it would often be totally blank. I did that twice, I think...

That was my experience too. Lost some good shots because of old developer. The Ilfosol 3 does seem to last longer in the opened bottle. I use marbles in the bottle to eliminate most of the air. My current bottle has been around all winter and worked just fine Saturday. The color hasn't changed much either. I do think the '3' is better, and one shot developers are so convenient!
I do think both 'S' and '3' need generous time to do the job. I tend to develop 10%-15% more time than the chart shows and like my negative density. All my light meters match within 1/2 stop and are right on for the 'Sunny 16' rule. Of course, my thermometers only match within about 3 degrees, but I use the same one for developing for consistency.
If you were OK with 'S', you'll like '3' better IMHO.

 

[Aurum]

I like Ilfosol 3 as a standard developer. Does a good job, especially for the Delta films. I prefer it to ID11 / D76, but there really isn't that much in it.

I can't compare it to Ilfosol S, as that had been withdrawn before I had chance to use it