Reversal processing and midtones/gradation

SalveSlog

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One more naive question from an amateur:

I seem to reach clean (enough) highlights without hypo by using only PQ Universal (1+5) for the 1st developer. But I'm not sure what skipping hypo does to the midtones and perhaps other things. I'd like to hear anyones experience or opinion on this!
 

DeletedAcct1

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What I've found is that to get a complete tonal gradation a very very delicate balance between a silver halide solvent and a potent first developer is paramount. Unfortunately without a densitometer is almost nearly impossible for me to answer your question.
What I've found is that almost everytime some sort of silver halide solvent is to be used.
 

Ivo Stunga

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I use bare minimum of it just to reach clear highlights and have clear water dripping off of it in the drying process.

I have observed that:
- having too little hypo often leaves sediment on film that can be wiped away. This is fixed by increasing hypo incrementally until film/highlights are completely clear. Doing this gets me to the "default level of hypo for a film X" and I can start thinking about pushing and pulling with the "traditional" contrast / image characteristics changes;
- adding more hypo increases developer activity and contrast, bringing things to the right of the histogram so to speak. Which is a look on its own and probably quite far removed from "neutral" development.

To reverse film X, I shoot it at box speed and first go with plain PQ, paying attention to the 1) clarity of fluids dripping from film when drying, 2) highlight clarity when film is dry and 3) achieved film speed by eyeballing shadows/midtones. If it's dripping gray or black, more hypo is needed next time around. If it's dripping clear-ish, but there are specs / "grain" in highlights, a minute increase of hypo is needed the next time around. You can test for specs by wiping your drying film with fingers in a clear spot of some sacrificial frame - nothing should change in regards to unwiped area.
If I didn't achieve the advertised speed, I look up some info on film for true speed and increase dev time/hypo to arrive at it if neccessary. Nothing else gets changed. I can reverse and push/pull any film under the sun with this methodology.

I feel that this lands me on the "neutral" side of reversal, because I didn't nuke it with hypo and didn't chase the density with reduced reversal time.
 
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DeletedAcct1

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Thanks Ivo for having shared this with us.
Btw I've got a little question that is off topic. Have you ever used PQ Universal as a negative developer only?
 

Ivo Stunga

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Welcome - hopefully my observations and ideas are useful

But I can't help you with that question - I have just one negative film under my belt - launched myself into slides and DIY reversal right away as I keep having no use for negatives.
 

DeletedAcct1

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Welcome - hopefully my observations and ideas are useful

But I can't help you with that question - I have just one negative film under my belt - launched myself into slides and DIY reversal right away as I keep having no use for negatives.

Ivo, my next question is heavily OT but I was wondering if you know the writer Serhij Žadan and if you like what he writes...
 

Ivo Stunga

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First time reading the name and am now curious why you're asking.
 

DeletedAcct1

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Given the subject matter of the works you refer to, it's also an OT diversion that's not necessarily fit for this forum. If you want to pursue this avenue further, please do so via private messaging. Thanks.

Yes, sorry.
@Ivo Stunga you've got a message
 
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