I thought this might be interesting for potential users of various developers. Today I have made a comparison of Fotospeed PD-5, SE6, and D-72, processing Adox Fineprint Vario Classic and ILFORD MGIV Warmtone Gloss FB. I made this test to reaffirm some of my suspicions concerning the application of various developers. Results as follows (untoned):
Adox Fineprint Vario classic displays the coldest tones in D-72 1+1, significantly cooler than SE6. SE6 is marginally cooler than PD-5 with the Adox paper. From a visual check each developer gives different tone reproduction to varying extents.
The ILFORD paper was processed in SE6 and D-72 1+1. This paper is cooler in SE6 compared to D-72. D-72 displays typical moderate warmtone as one might expect, and I would predict PD-5 to show similar results. However based on previous experience processing Adox Variotone premium in SE6 followed by selenium toning, the toning obliterates any cold tone effect.
Conclusion: Adox Fineprint Vario classic in D-72 1+1 is a good combination.
Tom