Opinions on best developer for Fuji Acros 100?

[Jedidiah Smith]

It's been a while since I've been here. After a short tryst with that Bronica, I'm back to shooting my 35mm Minolta gear. Long story short, is that I have a 3 year old daughter who loves to "help", and it would break my heart not to let her come on outings with me when she loves it so much. So, I am back to 35mm for ease of use and to keep my sanity.

After a lot of experimenting with various films, I have pretty much settled on Fuji Acros 100 as my film of choice. For developers, though, I have only used D76 and XTOL - both pretty standard. I know there are some really fine-grain type developers that let you push the envelope with these new films...any pointers? I was looking at some of the advertisers on APUG and looks like Clayton F76 plus or Spur SD 2525 might be what I'm after. Any thoughts on these or others would be appreciated!

Last question - has anyone used the new SPUR Imagelink 25 high resolution film? I'm really curious about it; wonder if I would see a difference in a print at 16x20?
Thanks for any help as always,
Jed

 

[m_liddell]

I have been using pyrocat HD with acros (usual dilution for 11mins) with excellent results. Give it a try. I haven't experimented much with minimal agitation techniques as yet.

I'm not sure you will get finer grain than xtol with pyrocat though. Maybe try perceptol if you are after really invisible grain? Acros has very very fine grain already anyway.

 

[haziz]

After a lot of experimenting with various films, I have pretty much settled on Fuji Acros 100 as my film of choice. For developers, though, I have only used D76 and XTOL - both pretty standard. I know there are some really fine-grain type developers that let you push the envelope with these new films...any pointers? Jed

I would actually stick to your current regimen of Acros with Xtol (probably at 1:1 dilution). You should be able to get superb results with that combination.

Sincerely,

Hany.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Rodinal. Then again, that's my answer for almost everything.

 

[Soeren]

Rodinal. Then again, that's my answer for almost everything.

I'm right behind you Steph
A really good developer with Neopan 400 IMHO
So why not try it with Acros
Cheers
Søren

 

[coriana6jp]

I have had great luck with 120 Acros in Rodinal 1:200, semistand for two hours. Excellant grain, extremely sharp, and fantastic contrast.

Hope it helps.

Gary

 

[m_liddell]

I know there are some really fine-grain type developers that let you push the envelope with these new films...any pointers?

Fine grain is not rodinal's speciality. If you think xtol doesn't do it for you grain-wise rodinal won't.

 

[Mike Richards]

Really nice grain and tonality with Tetenal Ultrafin+. Don't know if you can get it where you are, but it's widely available in Europe.

 

[Travis Nunn]

I use Sprint Standard when I shoot Acros in 120. I think its a very nice combination, very easy to print negs

Personally, I've never liked the results I've gotten with Rodinal/Acros

 

[Jedidiah Smith]

Thanks for the tips

Thanks for all the fast replies. I'm not really disappointed with XTOL, but I was just curious about the new crop of specialized developers. You know, it's kind of a challenge to tease every last bit of quality out of a postage stamp size negative!

I think I'll try the Clayton F76 and compare that with XTOL for starters.

While we're at it, does anyone have a favorite paper developer besides Dektol? I've thought about maybe playing around with that too for a different look. I use all RC paper - Ilford multigrade IV and Oriental Seagull so far.

Thanks for all the pointers,
Jed

 

[Oldtimer Jay]

Hi,

I think Across 100 is one of the very finest films available, perhaps the very best IMHO for combined acutance, tonality and grain. I have tried it in many developers and have found Xtol to give just about the finest grain posssible. Undiluted Microdol X is a bit finer but cuts the ISO in half.
The only films I know of which have significantly finer grain are T Max 100 and the document films.

Regards,

Jay L.

 

[Black Dog]

PCAT HD and Perceptol are also good, as is PMK.