J&C Pro 100 in Diafine...

[bobfowler]

Has anyone tried this combination yet? If so, what kind of EI are you getting vs your "normal" developer?

 

[Donald Qualls]

Not yet. Based on its other processing similarities to APX 100, I'd expect to get the same EI 200 to 250. Why don't you test a roll or a few sheets and let us know?

 

[bobfowler]

Not yet. Based on its other processing similarities to APX 100, I'd expect to get the same EI 200 to 250. Why don't you test a roll or a few sheets and let us know?

I'm planning on doing some tests this evening. FWIW, I'll be testing using 120, not sheet sizes.

 

[Donald Qualls]

According to John at J&C, the sheet and roll films have the same emulsion, so should react the same way to Diafine. However, those who like abusing their sheet film in a rotary processor should be aware that *Diafine* will likely give non-optimal results with continuous agitation in the B bath. Given that the developer is reusable almost without limit, however, there's no reason to try to scrimp on quantity -- just fill the darned tank, already!

And I have almost used up my initial order of Pro 100 in 120, but haven't even opened the miscut 4x5 I purchased -- the miscut sheets were intended for pinhole cameras that haven't been built yet, but can easily be made to tolerate sheets a couple mm oversize. I've got three rolls in tanks waiting for development (delayed by trivial, but annoying things like taxes), two more waiting in their little cans on my desk for tank space, one in a camera, and one left in reserve. If the ones currently in tanks continue what I've seen so far in terms of 68F and water stop preventing the emulsion problems, I'll be ordering 10-20 more rolls soon, and might find it useful to be able to shoot at EI 200...

 

[xyzzy]

My son and I have just finished testing out 10 rolls of J&C Pro-100 120 and Diafine or D-76. We prefer the Diafine and I would guestimate that we are getting about 1 stop using the Diafine, although our intent in using is not to push the film... In fact, we still shoot it at 100 and are quite satisfied with the results - - hence the reason I am simply guessing a 1-stop push over the D-76. We have used a range of cameras (C220, Argoflex, folding shooters, a Holga and a pinhole) just to try it out as a source of everyday, working film. The only problem we have had with it is reading the frame numbers in the backs of some of the older cameras... they should really invest in some brighter letters - - not a problem in the C220.

I use Diafine exclusively - - I started 25 years ago with it while living on the north coast of Peru with no access to electricity, minimal quality running water, and certainly no access to temperature control, unless you wanted *very* hot during the day and *quite* cold at night. I have put most every type of B&W through it and it is a "rut" I have been satisfied with.

 

[bobfowler]

My son and I have just finished testing out 10 rolls of J&C Pro-100 120 and Diafine or D-76. We prefer the Diafine and I would guestimate that we are getting about 1 stop using the Diafine, although our intent in using is not to push the film... In fact, we still shoot it at 100 and are quite satisfied with the results - - hence the reason I am simply guessing a 1-stop push over the D-76. We have used a range of cameras (C220, Argoflex, folding shooters, a Holga and a pinhole) just to try it out as a source of everyday, working film. The only problem we have had with it is reading the frame numbers in the backs of some of the older cameras... they should really invest in some brighter letters - - not a problem in the C220.

I use Diafine exclusively - - I started 25 years ago with it while living on the north coast of Peru with no access to electricity, minimal quality running water, and certainly no access to temperature control, unless you wanted *very* hot during the day and *quite* cold at night. I have put most every type of B&W through it and it is a "rut" I have been satisfied with.

I just finished running some tests in Diafine this afternoon!

My results seem to confirm what you're saying, about a 1 stop gain in speed. The reason I wanted to try Pro 100 in Diafine is that it's an excellent "hotel room" developer. I don't like carrying unporcessed film around too long and being able to soup the stuff on the road in Diafine is an excellent option as temperature control isn't critical.