Multiple dilution film processing

[Thomassauerwein]

I was wondering if anyone in this group has ever tried processing their film either; with two different dilutions of the same chemistry or two different chemistries in a 2 step developer system.
Thanks to E-Bay I've had a windfall of 3 1/2 gallon stainless dip and dunk tanks, this added with the 3, I already have gives me more options for creative film development.
I can imagine by doing this highlights and mid values could be isolated through dilutions and processed accordingly.
Maybe even, by using 2 different chemistries, take advantage of the assets from each chemistry.
If any one has tried this your insite would be appreciated.

BTW, I now have far more film hangers than I'll ever use. In all formats 8x10, 5x7 and 4x5. I'll be happy to donate to a good home some of each of the 4x5 and 8x10 and all the 5x7. Please pm me and expect to pay for shipping. Karen and I will be out of town the next couple weeks but after that we can send to the interested individuals.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I know I've read about people using two developers, one for the highlights and one for the shadows. Could be interesting if you've got room for all those tanks!

 

[Thomassauerwein]

Karen ask me the same thing! I just told her she was going to have to move into the garage. Unfortunately she has other plans so I'm stuck in the space I already occupy. Oh well it will work somehow....

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

There's a good discussion of divided development in Anchell's _Darkroom Cookbook_. That could be another possibility.

 

[Ole]

I did that recently...

I remembered just in time that my latest 18x24cm negs had been exposed at factory rating, which is a bit too optimistic in most cases.

So instead of developing all the way in Pyrocat-HD, I gave them 4 minutes in Neofin Blue first. The Neofin increases the sensitivity somewhat and starts the development evenly across all the tones.

The Pyrocat-HD then took over the highlights, and developed them all the way without giving "burnout" as Neofin would have done.

Nice negs!

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

I did that recently...

I remembered just in time that my latest 18x24cm negs had been exposed at factory rating, which is a bit too optimistic in most cases.

So instead of developing all the way in Pyrocat-HD, I gave them 4 minutes in Neofin Blue first. The Neofin increases the sensitivity somewhat and starts the development evenly across all the tones.

The Pyrocat-HD then took over the highlights, and developed them all the way without giving "burnout" as Neofin would have done.

Nice negs!

Very interesting, Ole. I am going to try this with an 8x10 shot of a sunset.

Did you use the commercial version of Neofin Blue or the version you posted in the Chemical Recipes?

 

[Ole]

Very interesting, Ole. I am going to try this with an 8x10 shot of a sunset.

Did you use the commercial version of Neofin Blue or the version you posted in the Chemical Recipes?

As far as I recall, the version I posted was Beutler's original plate developer. I don't know the formula for Neofin! But I bought some fresh Neofin to help me with an upcoming experiment: To find out if there's any difference between that and "Beutlers". So I used the commercial stuff this time

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

As far as I recall, the version I posted was Beutler's original plate developer. I don't know the formula for Neofin! But I bought some fresh Neofin to help me with an upcoming experiment: To find out if there's any difference between that and "Beutlers". So I used the commercial stuff this time

Thanks Ole!

BTW, you posted two Beutler recipes:

1. Willi Beutler's Plate Developers

2. The Original Beutler's

 

[Ole]

BTW, you posted two Beutler recipes:

My, so I did! But the A part is the same in both instances