pyrocat+forte/efke?

Andras · Oct 13, 2006

Dear APUG-users!

I shoot 35mm (and some MF), but eventually I would like to change to 8x10. Meanwhile I would like to use the same film/developer combination that would be optimal for sheet film.
What do you think about the Fortepan200/PyrocatHD combination? (I print on Forte VC paper.) Or maybe Efke would be a better choice?
What dilution and agitation would you recommend for tanks?
(I think Fortepan200 is the same film that J&C sells as Classic200.)

Thank you for your help!
Andras

noseoil · Oct 13, 2006

Andras, with 8x10 you won't have too many grain issues, with 35mm you will. Based on this, I would start using Efke 100 for large format, along with minimal agitation. This will not give you smooth negatives for 35mm enlargement, but it will give excellent results in LF size (use 1:1:150).

I think you may want to stay with a smaller grain film with 35mm than Efke 100. Efke 25 is a good choice in 35mm due to small grain, but it doesn't contract well like Efke 100. Roll film is processed with an "average" amount of contrast, from shot to shot. Large format film can be developed one at a time to deal with contrast. Unless the entire roll is shot under similar light conditions, how can you play with development times?

I'm not certain you would be able to do what you want with this film / developer combination for large format work. There are other considerations which are important, they are more difficult to learn with 35mm film. tim

Tom Hoskinson · Oct 13, 2006

noseoil said:
Andras, with 8x10 you won't have too many grain issues, with 35mm you will. Based on this, I would start using Efke 100 for large format, along with minimal agitation. This will not give you smooth negatives for 35mm enlargement, but it will give excellent results in LF size (use 1:1:150).

I think you may want to stay with a smaller grain film with 35mm than Efke 100. Efke 25 is a good choice in 35mm due to small grain, but it doesn't contract well like Efke 100. Roll film is processed with an "average" amount of contrast, from shot to shot. Large format film can be developed one at a time to deal with contrast. Unless the entire roll is shot under similar light conditions, how can you play with development times?

I'm not certain you would be able to do what you want with this film / developer combination for large format work. There are other considerations which are important, they are more difficult to learn with 35mm film. tim

I agree with Tim, my choices are Efke 100 and Efke 25 in Pyrocat.

AlanC · Oct 13, 2006

Andras,
Your questions are not easy to answer because ultimately only you can decide if you like prints made from forte negatives better than prints made from efke. Tim and Tom both assume that you don't want grain, but you may be like me and love it!
I have tried Efke 100 and Forte 200, both in Pyrocat HD, and liked them both, but settled on Efke 100. Then I got results that I liked better with Efke 100 in Rodinal. This was for 120 and 5 x 4 film, and this is now my favourite combination in these formats.
I suggest that you experiment a bit and you will soon find your own favourites.
As for times in a tank, I used Pyrocat HD at 2:2:100 for about 14 minutes for normal developement,but my times in Pyrocat always seemed longer than other people's.

Alan Clark

pyrocat+forte/efke?

Andras

noseoil

Tom Hoskinson

AlanC

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