Modern developer for 35mm Panatomic-X?

ChrisPlatt · Apr 9, 2014

In my early days of 35mm photography I got some lovely results with Panatomic-X.
IIRC I souped it in Microdol-X, my standard developer then.

Recently I decided to give in to nostalgia. I just won an eBay auction for a 100' roll of Panatomic-X!

Since Kodak Microdol-X is no longer available I'm not sure what developer to use.

Is the Legacy Pro Microdol-X clone any good? How about Tetenal Neofin Blue?
I have a bottle of HC110. Is there some dilution that would give me good results?

Any suggestions for a modern off-the-shelf developer for my old film?
EI to shoot at and development time appreciated, too.

TIA,
Chris

Axle · Apr 9, 2014

I've been souping my Panatomic-X in Xtol 1+1 for 7.5 minutes at 68F (20C). I got this time off Flickr, seems to work rather well.

According to the datasheet I have for the film...
D-76 (Stock) 7 minutes at 68F
D-76 (1+1) 9 minutes at 68F
HC-110 (A) 2.75 minutes at 68F
HC-110 (B) 4.5 minutes at 68F

snapguy · Apr 9, 2014

true love

I absolutely adored Panatomic-X and used to soup in Rodinal. I hear the "new" Rodinal might be different from the old one, but I don't know. Good luck with a great project.

chip j · Apr 9, 2014

I always used Tetenol Neofin Blue, available @ Freestyle--best film/dev combo that I ever used!

Dr Croubie · Apr 9, 2014

I've also got a roll to use up (unfortunately only a single 135-20), so thanks for those replies from me too.
I've got Perceptol, Microphen, and Xtol packets all as unmixed powder, and always have rodinal (adonal) on hand. (And I can always try something new)

Given how old it is (mine is exp 1970 or something), what would be best to cut through the 40+ years of fog?

Prof_Pixel · Apr 9, 2014

I used D-76 - can't remember if it was straight or 1:1 - maybe both

Bill Burk · Apr 9, 2014

I use D-76 1:1 and find I still get the rated speed, 32.

35mm, 7 minutes at 68-degrees F gives me 0.48 CI, a little low for my taste so I'd develop longer 0.27 B+F (I don't think it's all fog, I think it's a tinted base for antihalation).
120, 9 minutes at 68-degrees F gives me 0.51 CI, OK but still could develop longer. 0.18 B+F.

Tom1956 · Apr 9, 2014

Use Microdol home brew Only need Elon, sulfite and Kosher salt. I'm happy with it.

Gerald C Koch · Apr 9, 2014

For many years my favorite combination was Pan-X and the Beutler developer. It was a superb combination. Negatives were tack sharp and produced prints with exceptional detail. Such developers as Microdol are intended to soften the grain of medium and fast films. Slow films need an acutance developer to bring out their best.

Tom1956 · Apr 9, 2014

Yeah, Beutlers is nice, particularly with the higher contrast slow films. Microdol and Beutlers are my go-to developers.

removed account4 · Apr 9, 2014

i have pan x, sort of as they say PN55 was the same ..
and i have a stash ..
id recommend not going shelf but cupboard
get some rot gut INSTANT COFFEE
and some washing soda and powdered vit c
and process you film in caffenol c
check our http://caffenol-cookbook.com for exact times and measures
.. me, i dont measure, its lots of coffee, less washing soda and less vit c
and it will process your film perfectly.
ive beeen doing it for 7-8 years, and now i roast my own..
have fun ( good luck )
john

Tom1956 · Apr 9, 2014

John, you da man on the caffenol.

removed account4 · Apr 10, 2014

Tom1956 said:
John, you da man on the caffenol.

i try !
thanks for noticing

Thomas Bertilsson · Apr 10, 2014

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/749710-LegacyPro-Mic-X-Film-Developer-to-Make-1-Gallon

You can still buy Microdol-X, but made by others.

Christiaan Phleger · Apr 11, 2014

For a full 100 ft of Pan-x (lucky!) I would seriously hunt down a gallon of real Microdol-X: the X factor of the mercapto really makes this film sing. YOU MUST TRY. 1:0 at 25 and 1:3 at 32. At LEAST ONE ROLL I can't stress this more if you have 100ft. And if you are feeling particularly brave to see what this film/developer can do find some real Microdol-X Replenisher and season the developer first.

ChrisPlatt · Apr 11, 2014

Thanks for the recommendations so far.

Looks like another possibility is Photographer's Formulary TFX-2.
Has anyone tried this stuff?

Chris

Zathras · Apr 11, 2014

I used to like to develop Pan-X 120 in D23. Unfortunately, it has been so long since I've even seen an unexposed roll of Pan-X, I've forgotten what the times were. For laughs, you could try using the Microdol times to start with and adjust as necessary, provided you have enough film to make this worthwhile.

Mark Crabtree · Apr 11, 2014

I've heard a lot of recommendations for FX in Microdol-X. It seems counter intuitive, but so many people have praised that combination over the years that I think I'll have to give it a try.

ChrisPlatt · Apr 14, 2014

The Panatomic-X has arrived. It expired in 1978, and storage conditions since are unknown.
Any further advice regarding developer, EI and development times appreciated...

Chris

Gerald C Koch · Apr 14, 2014

Try Ilford Perceptol which is very similar to Microdol-X,

nosmok · Apr 14, 2014

I shoot a lot of Pan X and can attest to its remarkable longevity. I have shot rolls older than yours at box speed and taken it to my local lab that uses Tmax developer and it comes out great. Am going to start souping my own soon (altho since I have small kids I'm leaning toward Caffenol out of less toxic necessity.). Let us know what you find.

--nosmok

Bill Burk · Apr 15, 2014

Shoot it at 32.

To make a contrast control test, take two shots of something gray bracketed two stops apart.

ChrisPlatt · Oct 19, 2016

Freestyle has Tetenal Neofin Blue on closeout now ($13.99) so I decided to give it a try.

I exposed my old Panatomic-X film at 32 as suggested.
I will dilute one 30ml vial to make 700ml for my AP double reel tank.
Any suggestions for development time?

TIA,
Chris

Gerald C Koch · Oct 19, 2016

As far as favorite film/developer combos are concerned my favorite was Pan-X developed in the Beutler formula.

Trask · Oct 19, 2016

ChrisPlatt said:
Freestyle has Tetenal Neofin Blue on closeout now ($13.99) so I decided to give it a try.

I exposed my old Panatomic-X film at 32 as suggested.
I will dilute one 30ml vial to make 700ml for my AP double reel tank.
Any suggestions for development time?

TIA,
Chris

Chris,

I look forward to hearing your results, as I am a fan of Neofin Blue -- and I have some Pan-X.

Modern developer for 35mm Panatomic-X?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency