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Looking for a different developer for Tri-X

jpa

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The Windy Ci
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My mainstay developer is Rodinal, and I like it very much. From time to time, however, I like a change. I primarily use it to develop slow speed films and Tri-X, but also have been know to soup Neopan and HP5+ in it.

I've just started experimenting with Finol, but don't want to use it for Tri-X, as you need to agitate the film every 20 seconds during development ( it seems like nearly constant agitation, and I don't care to do it ). So, I'm looking for some suggestions on a different developer to try, primarily with Tri-X. I'm not a fan of HC-110, if that says anything. I'm looking for something that lends itself to more contrast, that allows for shadow detail while still maintaining highlights ( I know, I know - it has a lot to do with metering, exposure, agitation during development, etc... ). Basically, I'm just looking to try something new, and see where it takes me.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Jan
 
Maybe PMK? The stock solutions last a loooong time.
 
ID-11/D-76 (1+1)+ TriX is a great combo. I havent shot any in a very long time, but it always performed as it should for me. If I were shooting it these days, it would get souped in Pyrocat-HD, only because that is my developer of choice now.
 
XTOL has been great for me with Tri-X and a few other films, mostly used 1:1.
 
Xtol works well replenished and dilute up to 1:3. D-23 divided developer as per Anchell's books does a nice job of controlling highlights while giving shadow detail.
 
So, you want something that lends itself to more contrast, and allows for shadow detail while still maintaining highlights...and you know that it has a lot to do with all that stuff you mentioned.

Good luck finding a developer that does two completely opposite things, and good luck getting it to make you happy if you want to simply use a developer to get you there, rather than take care of all that other stuff you mentioned.

The biggest hint I can offer is that the largest - overwhelming, in fact - effect on contrast comes from the light in which you shoot your subject...not your developer. Just making up a number, I'd say that 80% of your contrast considerations in photography are dictated by the light in which you shoot, and the other 20% by materials and how you use them. Lots of folks love to get into that 20% as deeply as they can, but the same people rarely even brush the surface of the other 80%.

I'd get one general-purpose developer and learn to use it very well. I would suggest HC-110, but you have already ruled it out.......
 
Last edited by a moderator:
jpa said:
My mainstay developer is Rodinal, and I like it very much. From time to time, however, I like a change.

Jan
Click to expand...

A friendly bit of advice. All the great photographers chose a single developer and got to know it thoroughly. It was only after much experimentation that they would change to other one. You need to decide if you want to take great pictures or play around with developers.
 
Like the some of the posts before, my main developers have been T-Max and D-76.

Jeff
 
Xtol's a great choice as a single developer that works well with all films. It's particularly good used replenished, very economic and long lasting.

Ian
 

I could not agree more.
 

I've actually been using Rodinal ( primarily with Tri-X ) since around 1990, and although I hadn't used it for a couple of years prior to my return to film approx. 2 years ago, I immediately returned to it. So I'm really quite comfortable with it, although I'm sure that there's always more that I could learn from it.

I simply want to explore other developers, and see what they can do. I don't stick with one film exclusively, so why should I stick with one developer? I enjoy trying out different film and I want to see what effect different developers can achieve. I don't see this as an either/or scenario.
 
Thanks for the replies people - they have been most helpful ( well, the majority of them, anyway... ). Though I suppose I should have just titled my original post something like: "Thoughts on developers for Tri-X"...

I think that I'll give Xtol a try - I've heard many good things about it. I haven't used D-76 since I was in college, but I do remember it doing well with Tri-X. Thanks again everyone.
 
I have been very happy developing my 120 Tri-X in Tmax developer.
 
How about Diafine?
Best regards
 
Well, Tri-X and D76/ID-11 have long been a classic combo. Still, your criteria of good shadow detail and unblocked highlights says, to me, D23. I admit to being "the Johnnie Appleseed" of D23 so my prejudice is upfront. It puts so much shadow detail on your film that some might find it gives too much shadow detail. I find mid-tone separation to be excellent. And because of what Adams termed D23's "semi-compensating" action, I find it hard to block up highlights, even tho I routinely rate my Tri-X at EI 200.
The downside with D23 is limited to those situations where really good highlight-separation is vital to the expressiveness of your photographic intent. D23 highlights can be, to some, a bit "mushy."
I replenish with DK-25R and find D23 improves with use. I can safely soup 20 or so rolls of 120 in a liter of D23 replenished with DK25R. Try it. I bet you'll like it.
 
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