"Middle of the Road" developer recommendation?

bobbysandstrom · Feb 15, 2006

I'm looking to test a developer/film/agitation combo that splits the difference between extreme sharpness and diffused fine grain... something that has both nice resolution and is sharp. I realize you can't have both extremes and am looking for a happy medium. Any recommendations? (I shoot 8x10 and 4x5 so I enlarge and contact print) I'm currently shooting FP4/FX-1 and FP4/DD-X. I wish the DD-X was a little sharper. The FX-1 doesn't enlarge too well.

Thanks
Bob

avandesande · Feb 15, 2006

d76 trix

reellis67 · Feb 15, 2006

ID-11 or D-76 are typicaly considered to be a midpoint between the two ends of the result spectrum you described. I have not used either one so I can't say personaly, but from what everyone says, you can't go wrong with them...

- Randy

reellis67 · Feb 15, 2006

One more thing. Get a copy of the Film Developing Cookbook. It will give you a great understanding for the ways that developers work and what you can expect from various 'types' of developers as well a enough knowledge and information to fine tune your results.

- Randy

Craig · Feb 15, 2006

Xtol has a very nice look to it and performs well.

Bob Carnie · Feb 15, 2006

d76 as others point out

Gerald Koch · Feb 15, 2006

HC-110, recommended by Ansel Adams, can't get much better than that.

Lachlan Young · Feb 15, 2006

jdef said:
35mm Foma 200 negs, one developed in 510-Pyro, and the other in Hypercat.

Jay

Jay,
What sort of speed are you getting from Foma 200? I have heard that it only reaches ISO 200 in speed increasing developers.

All help much appreciated,

Lachlan

P.S. I intend to try 510-pyro sometime in the next couple of weeks - once I have worked out what else to buy to get over Silverprint's minimum order value!

jim appleyard · Feb 15, 2006

Bobby, if you're shooting LF, then grain is not an issue. There are lots of dev out there and everyone who has posted is correct, but one that has been overlooked here is Rodinal. It has great tonality, it's sharp and is extremely economical.

bobbysandstrom · Feb 15, 2006

Thanks for the responses. I did refer back to the developers cookbook...duh... forgot about that treasure trove. I just mixed up a batch of good ol d76. I've never tried it but am looking forward to it right now at 1-3.

Thanks again.

jim appleyard · Feb 15, 2006

D-76 will do you just fine.

TheFlyingCamera · Feb 15, 2006

Any of the pyro formulas. I used to be a Rodinal nut, but I switched to PMK Pyro. Now that I'm rotary processing, I'm using Pyrocat HD. Give it a try as it is good for rotary, tray, stand/semi-stand/EMA, and it is less toxic than some of the other older Pyro formulas.

dawid_burger · Mar 2, 2006

Hi

My comments might be a little bit late, but here we go for what its worth.
I've done some 4x5 work in Fuji Acros 100 developed in Agfa Rodinal and and it blew me away. Biggest enlargement so far is 9 1/2 x 12 (not that big) but it was incredibly smooth and sharp with lovely light and mid greys. I'm very pleased with the results, the only thing is that the Acros is quite expensive, luckily I got 3 boxes of 20 for £50 on a special !

Cheers
Dawid

"Middle of the Road" developer recommendation?

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