Name the developers have you tried?

[Dave Krueger]

While being a fan of having one developer for everything, I recently started testing developers just to get a handle on what the differences are between some of the common favorites. I was just wondering what developers the folks here have tried in the course of their film developing experiences.


My main developers have been:

Microdol-X
Tmax RS
Xtol

In the distant past I have tried:

Acufine
Diafine
UFG
D76
Tmax (non RS)

I am currently experimenting with:

Pyrocat HD
FX-2
Rodinal

I no longer thing I can be satisfied with one developer, but I would like to settle on two.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

In 25 years I've tried D-76, HC110, and now use a Glycin / Metol developer of my own concoction.

I tend to stick with one thing and really get to know it.

Murray

 

[gainer]

I could get along quite well with Pyrocat MC, Rodinal, and a container of ascorbic acid for occasional "doctoring up". I assume we are talking about commercially available developers. I now use the Metol analogy of Rodinal. The Pyrocat series can be purchased in kit form, ready mixed (I think) or scratch mixed.

 

[Lee Shively]

Considering 35 years of developing film, I don't remember all the ones I have tried. The ones that work best for me have been Rodinal, D76, FG7 and Microdol-X. The ones I currently use are Rodinal and D76.

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

I've tried many film developers over the years.

The developer I currently use the most is Pyrocat-MC (liquid concentrate).

 

[Andrew Moxom]

My most widely used film developers are:-

Ultrafin diluted 1:30 for APX100
XTOL for TMX and TMY
Pyrocat HD for TMY
ID11 for HP5+
Diafine occasionally

In the past I have used the following:-

Ilfosol S (but had problems)
Rodinal
Perceptol
TMAX
HC110

 

[fschifano]

• Microdol-X - hardly worth the trouble any more.
• D-76/ID-11 - very good general purpose developer. Not much you can't do with it.
• XTOL - hands down favorite for TMax and Delta films. Works well with just about everything else too.
• Rodinal - Sees limited use, mostly for low speed films. Particularly nice with Ilford's PanF+ if you are careful.
• Diafine - Strictly limited to use with Tri-X rated at 1250 to 1600.

 

[removed account4]

sprint
dk50
gaf universal
tmax
tmax rs
xtol
ansco130
caffenol-c ( homebrew)
caffenol-c+ansco130 (homebrew)
d72/dektol
selectol
sprint
ansco130

currently i use sprint or ansco130 or caffenol-c or caffenol+ansco130 for film
and ansco130 for paper

 

[jim appleyard]

I'm such an Evil Scientist that it would be easier to ask me what devs, I haven't used: Diafine, but would like to try it, Patterson's, Fuji's, Clayton's, and DDX. I think I've tried just about everything else at one time or another.

 

[Oren Grad]

Over the years, I've tried:

D-76
ID-11 Plus (no longer available)
HC-110
T-Max
T-Max RS
Xtol
Ilfotec HC
Ilford DD-X
Rodinal
Microdol-X
Diafine
Clayton F60

For the last few years I've used D-76 only.

 

[DWThomas]

Since I've returned to this art, I've been using D-76 and exotic dilutions of HC-110. D-76 works great, and shows up on just about every film data sheet, but so far, given all the considerations, I like HC-110 "Dilution H" (1+63). It is easy to mix fresh from concentrate and use as a one-shot, and at my current level of use, a bottle of concentrate can last me a couple of years. Most importantly, I like the results!

In the distant past I used Microdol-X and once tried some Accufine. I have some Perceptol sitting in the cabinet that I plan to play with one of these days.

DaveT

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

For Film:
Tmax
Edwal FG-7
Edwal TG-7
Rodinal
PMK Pyro
Pyrocat HD
Dektol 1:3

For Paper:
Dektol 1:3 and 1:7
Edwal Platinum II
Edwal Ultra-Black
Ilford Warmtone
Ilford Cooltone
Ansco 130

PPPD is on my list to try for paper. I've been souping film and printing for 14 years now, but having gone to alt-process printing recently, I'm now pretty-well locked in on Pyrocat HD as my film developer. When I print gelatin-silver, I go back and forth between Ansco 130 and the new Ilford Warmtone and Cooltone developers.

 

[konakoa]

For films, I've tried TMax/Tmax RS, D-76 and Xtol. All worked fine; I've standardized on Xtol and it's the only one I've used for years now. I won't be chasing any magic bullet film developers.

For paper, I've used Polymax T and Dektol. Polymax would oxidize in the bottle (a little under a month) --even if I decanted it into smaller glass bottles and sealed them-- before I could use it all up. I switched to Dektol and couldn't be happier as it keeps much, much better.

 

[Ian Grant]

From memory, I've highlighted the ones I prefer, and have used extensively, I'm sure there's plenty I've forgotten.

Kodak
D8
D72
D52
D56
D72
D76 (and variations)
D85
D156
D163
D165
D166
DK-20
DK-50
Microdol
Microdol-X
HC110
Xtol
Tmax dev

Ilford
ID-2
ID-3
ID-11
ID-13
ID-14
ID-19
ID-20
ID-21
ID-25
ID-62
ID-67
ID-68
ID-72
ID-78
Promicrol
Hyfin
PQ Universal
Contrast FF
Phenisol
Bromophen
Microphen
Ilfotec HC
Multigrade

Crawley
FX-1
FX-1b (FX13)
FX3
FX5
FX5b
FX6
FX11
Acutol
Aculux

Agfa
Neutol WA
Rodinal
Adaptol
Agfa 120
Agfa 123
Agfa 135

May & Baker (Champion)
Suprol
Promicrol

Johnsons
Unitol

Misc
Adox Borax MQ
Beutler
Windisch
Pyrocat HD
POTA
Hydroquinone p-Aminophenol (JB Shaw)
Dr Beers

 

[Aurelien]

Well I have tried some too

For films
Rodinal
Calbe A49
ID11
D76
Perceptol
Microphen
PMK pyro
Rollei RHS

Papers
Agfa Neutol Wa
Ilford Harman WarmTone

 

[ricksplace]

I currently use D76, HC110 and Rodinal. I probably use HC110 the most in various dilutions, mostly 1:100. I find all three of these developers are cheap, have a long life, and give consistent results. IIABDFI (If it aint broke, don't fix it).

 

[Les McLean]

The following are those that I remember that I've used in the past 30 years.

Film
HC110
ID11
D76
Promicol
Tetenal Neopress
Rodinal
Ilford DDX
PMK Pyro
Prescysol
Fotospeed FD30
Xtol

Paper
Bromophen
Dektol
D163
Selectol Soft
Ilford Warmtone and Cooltone
Ilford Multigrade
Ilford PQ Universal
Fotospeed Grade Select
Fotospeed Warmtone
Ethol LPD
Agfa Neutol WA
Zone VI

Home made paper developers D72
OD62
Gaevert 262
Beers Two Bath
Many more but I can't remember them without digging into reams of notes.

Current Favourites
Film
Rodinal
ID11
Prescysol

Paper
Ilford Warmtone and Cooltone
Ethol LPD
Beers Two Bath


All time Favourite
Film
Fotospeed FD30 Sadly no longer available
Paper
Beers Two Bath

Good thread, it brought back lots of memories

 

[Les McLean]

lm

 

[MurrayMinchin]

...and for paper developers I've used Dektol & Selectol Soft individually or in combination, then Zone VI & Selectol Soft, then Ansco 130 (Adams variation) and Ansco 120, and now I use a Glycin / Metol developer of my own cocoction.

Murray

 

[mikebarger]

I was assigned to a public information detachment that required the use of D76, then used HC110 for many years on my own, now trying 510 Pyro.

Mike

 

[pgomena]

In the distant past:
Microdol-X
D-76
Edwal FG-7

In the more recent past:
T-Max
T-Max RS
HC-110 (extensively)
Rodinal

Nowadays:
PMK
TFX-2
Pyrocat-HD

Of the recent film developers I really like what I see from Pyrocat-HD and may standardize on it. I've used PMK a lot and like it, the TFX-2 is amazing for sharpness, but I think I like the look of Pyrocat-HD a little better.

For paper I use Dektol, Zone VI, selectol-soft and LPD, no current favorites among them. I've of course experimented with others, such as Agfa Neutol, but generally don't stray far from these. My next big experiment will be Ansco 130 or equivalent just to see what it does.

Peter Gomena

 

[Dave Krueger]

I posted that question and then on the way to lunch wish I had asked people what formats they used for each developer. If all I shot was large format, I would be less inclined to keep Xtol in my inventory.

My testing is becoming something of a contest between developers, of which I expect there will be two winners. One is not enough for all the different formats of film I shoot and all situations I shoot in. I have to admit, Pyrocat HD seems to be putting up a good fight to be one of those two and Xtol looks like it may be my pick for best "fine grain" developer. But, against Pyrocat I have just started testing Rodinal. I think I will eventually select one over the other, but I can see myself not wanting to part with either of them.

Ideally, I want to be comfortable and confident with the developers I use which means restricting the number of different ones I stock and use. I just didn't think I'd develop this much affection for them.

I was thinking about film developers when I posted the question, but it was interesting to see what people are using for paper as well. I have always used Dektol, originally undiluted, but at 1:3 for the last 20 years or so. Now I'm thinking of going back to lower dilutions to squeeze out a little more D max.

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

I posted that question and then on the way to lunch wish I had asked people what formats they used for each developer. If all I shot was large format, I would be less inclined to keep Xtol in my inventory.

My testing is becoming something of a contest between developers, of which I expect there will be two winners. One is not enough for all the different formats of film I shoot and all situations I shoot in. I have to admit, Pyrocat HD seems to be putting up a good fight to be one of those two and Xtol looks like it may be my pick for best "fine grain" developer. But, against Pyrocat I have just started testing Rodinal. I think I will eventually select one over the other, but I can see myself not wanting to part with either of them.

Ideally, I want to be comfortable and confident with the developers I use which means restricting the number of different ones I stock and use. I just didn't think I'd develop this much affection for them.

I was thinking about film developers when I posted the question, but it was interesting to see what people are using for paper as well. I have always used Dektol, originally undiluted, but at 1:3 for the last 20 years or so. Now I'm thinking of going back to lower dilutions to squeeze out a little more D max.

I use Pyrocat-MC and Pyrocat-HD for 35mm, 120 rollfilm and sheet film from 2.25 X 3.25 through 8 X 10.

For print developing, I use Michael Smith's Amidol formula and Ansco 130.

 

[Dave Krueger]

...Of the recent film developers I really like what I see from Pyrocat-HD and may standardize on it. I've used PMK a lot and like it, the TFX-2 is amazing for sharpness, but I think I like the look of Pyrocat-HD a little better...

Oops! I put FX-2 in my original post, but I meant TFX-2. For me, the jury is still out on that one. My first tests with it were inconclusive in comparison with Pyrocat. I thought it gave good results, but the subject matter wasn't the best to capitalize on acutance capabilities.

 

[aldevo]

Geez...what haven't I tried:rolleyes:

(the following is from a man who has finally realized he has spent far too much time on trying developers than taking meaningful photographs)

-Edwal FG-7 with and without the 9% sulfite
-Kodak D-76 1:0, 1:1, 1:3
-Kodak XTOL 1:0, 1:1, 1:3
-Kodak D-23 and Divided D-23
-Kodak HC-110
-Ilford DD-X
-Agfa Rodinal 1:50
-Paterson Aculux-2, Acutol, FX39
- Sandy King's Pyrocat-HD and Pyrocat-MC
- Patrick Gainer's original Vitamin-C developers (the one's written up in PhotoTechniques back in 1994)
- Patrick Gainer's CAT-P-TEA and PC-TEA

Fortunately, my days of experimenting with developers are largely behind me. Here's what I use now:

- Pyrocat-MC: For pretty much all films when the light is contrasty
- Gainer's PC-TEA: For pretty much all films when the light is flat
- Ilford DD-X: ONLY if I need really good film speed at all costs.
- Agfa Rodinal: ONLY gets used with my remaining Agfa APX 100 in contrasty light. And I'll probably drop Rodinal from the list if this film works in Pyrocat-MC (haven't tried it yet).

I doubt I'll be trying any others. Thankfully, I no longer feel the need.

I don't have a darkroom (yet) so I'm at the mercy of whatever my community darkroom is stocking. Generally that's Kodak Dektol or Sprint QuickPrint.