Rodinal Special: It's Not Rodinal But Is It Special?

Snapshot · Nov 21, 2007

Hi All,

I am wondering if anyone had any experience or opinions on Rodinal Special (a.k.a. Studional)? I've seen a supply of it and I'm wondering if it's worth picking up a bottle or two. Seems interesting enough, although I understand it has very little in common with standard Rodinal.

Martin Reed · Nov 21, 2007

I don't think it's offering anything over & above most one-shot fine grain developers, but it's convenient. I used to use it a lot when it was previously in the UK (early '80's!), but used it at 1+30 rather than the recommended 1+15, increasing the times by about 50%. The neck of the bottle is the right size to use a 20ml syringe, which will just about reach the bottom of the bottle.

Snapshot · Nov 21, 2007

Martin Reed said:
I don't think it's offering anything over & above most one-shot fine grain developers, but it's convenient. I used to use it a lot when it was previously in the UK (early '80's!), but used it at 1+30 rather than the recommended 1+15, increasing the times by about 50%. The neck of the bottle is the right size to use a 20ml syringe, which will just about reach the bottom of the bottle.

It's sound like it's the equivalent to D-76 (1+1) or XTOL (1+1) in terms of grain and actuance. Would that be correct?

Trask · Nov 21, 2007

I've used it and I like it. It's the best developer for Ilford HP5+ that I've found. Now that it's available again, I'm going to buy some. I have the formula -- or what purports to be the formula -- that I found several years ago on a german website, but I'll pass on mixing my own and just use the pre-packaged. FYI, it's not like Rodinal - much finer grain, different look. Try it, I think you'll like it.

Ian Tindale · Nov 21, 2007

I use it. I like it as a dev*. It's not one-shot, I get under 20 rolls out of half a bottle of conc mixed up to a litre.

* though I don't like mixing it up - experienced significant vision distortion shortly afterwards.

Kevin Caulfield · Nov 21, 2007

I use it to process Agfa Scala as a negative film, and am very happy with its performance.

thefizz · Nov 22, 2007

I use both Rodinal and Rodinal Special. The name Rodinal Special is a bit misleading as it has little to do with Rodinal as far as I know. Rodinal Special provides finer grain than Rodinal but the short dev times at 1:15 probably does not appeal to a lot of people.

Unfortunately there is little info on the web for higher dilutions but I worked out my times for use with Acros at 1:30 and like it.

Snapshot · Nov 22, 2007

Thanks again for your input everyone.

Tom Hoskinson · Nov 23, 2007

Snapshot said:
Hi All,

I am wondering if anyone had any experience or opinions on Rodinal Special (a.k.a. Studional)? I've seen a supply of it and I'm wondering if it's worth picking up a bottle or two. Seems interesting enough, although I understand it has very little in common with standard Rodinal.

Agfa Rodinal Special (a.k.a. Agfa Studional) is a P/Q (Phenidone/Hydroquinone) developer. Looking at the Agfa MSDS, I noticed that Triethanolamine (aka 2,2',2" nitrilotriethanol - and aka TEA) is the alkali ingredient. So, sure, buy some if the price is right. Should give results similar to DDX, Microphen and TMax.

Andy K · Nov 23, 2007

I use it quite a lot with HP5+. I like the results.

Snapshot · Nov 24, 2007

Anyone use it with APX?

thefizz · Nov 24, 2007

Yes I used a few rolls of APX100 in R.S. and found it good. Nice tones and fine grain.

Snapshot · Nov 24, 2007

thefizz said:
Yes I used a few rolls of APX100 in R.S. and found it good. Nice tones and fine grain.

How was the sharpness?

thefizz · Nov 24, 2007

From what I can remember, it was definitely smoother than ordinary Rodinal which I must say is still my favorite developer for 120 film.

Mark Antony · Nov 24, 2007

I use Rodinal Special as my standard developer for most 400-1600 ISO films, here is an image APX 400 RS at 1:30 increasing dev times by 50%

It seems pretty sharp, nice tonal range with a little more grain than say ID11/D76
Mark
Photo Utopia

Rolleijoe · Nov 26, 2007

Rodinal Special IS NOT like D76 or Xtol. Is SO MUCH BETTER

Snapshot said:
It's sound like it's the equivalent to D-76 (1+1) or XTOL (1+1) in terms of grain and actuance. Would that be correct?

Absolutely NOT correct. I started using Studional in '94 for my Agfapan films, and the smooth tonality and finer grain is amazing. I've got 1½ bottles left of it. While not the same as Rodinal, if these were the only 2 developers on the planet, they're all you'd need.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/350617791_3bfd66802a_o.jpg
Studional 1:15 6.5 min 20 gradC

Rolleijoe · Nov 26, 2007

Use with APX

Snapshot said:
Anyone use it with APX?

In '94 It became my standard developer for all things Agfapan.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rolleijoe/sets/72157600087243751/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rolleijoe/sets/72157600087286661/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rolleijoe/sets/72157600090181945/

Snapshot · Nov 26, 2007

Thanks again for your input. Sounds like a great developer.

Tom Hoskinson · Nov 26, 2007

Agfa Studional - not a MAGIC BULLET - just another competent PQ developer.

Snapshot · Nov 26, 2007

Tom Hoskinson said:
Agfa Studional - not a MAGIC BULLET - just another competent PQ developer.

I'll take a competent PQ developer over some of the other developers I've seen out there. Are there any major caveats to using Studional?

Tom Hoskinson · Nov 26, 2007

Snapshot said:
I'll take a competent PQ developer over some of the other developers I've seen out there. Are there any major caveats to using Studional?

There are a lot of competent PQ film developers available: Ilford Microphen is one, Ilford DD-X is another, and there are also Kodak TMAX and Ilford PQ Universal to name just a few of many.

I have only one potential Studional caveat and I haven't yet tested it.

According to the 2003 Agfa Studional MSDS, the developer contained Potassium Sulfite.

According to the 2007 Agfa Studional MSDS, the developer does not contain any form of sulfite. Without sulfite, the developer should produce image stain and tanning.

Image staining and tanning is fine with me, but it may not be ok with some folks.
Of course, to prevent staining and tanning, you can always add a few grams of sodium or potassium sulfite to the working developer solution.

john_s · Nov 26, 2007

When the Agfa Australia MSDS docs were available they were useful since the standards for inclusion were higher. This is from the Australian pdf for Studional concentrate (same as Rodinal Special, as can be confirmed from numerous posts)

Ingredients Name <CAS> Proportion
Triethanolamine <102-71-6> 30-60 %
Potassium sulfite <10117-38-1> 10-30 %
Hydroquinone <123-31-9> 1-5 %
Potassium bromide <7758-02-3> 1-5 %
EDTA-alkali salt 1-5 %
Phenidone <92-43-3> 0-1 %
Water <7732-18-5> (To 100%)

The pH of the working solution is stated to be 9.3

Tom Hoskinson · Nov 26, 2007

john_s said:
When the Agfa Australia MSDS docs were available they were useful since the standards for inclusion were higher. This is from the Australian pdf for Studional concentrate (same as Rodinal Special, as can be confirmed from numerous posts)

Ingredients Name <CAS> Proportion
Triethanolamine <102-71-6> 30-60 %
Potassium sulfite <10117-38-1> 10-30 %
Hydroquinone <123-31-9> 1-5 %
Potassium bromide <7758-02-3> 1-5 %
EDTA-alkali salt 1-5 %
Phenidone <92-43-3> 0-1 %
Water <7732-18-5> (To 100%)

The pH of the working solution is stated to be 9.3

Yes John, that's identical to the information in my Agfa Studional File. I wish more countries used the Australian MSDS inclusion standard!

john_s · Nov 26, 2007

Tom Hoskinson said:
Yes John, that's identical to the information in my Agfa Studional File. I wish more countries used the Australian MSDS inclusion standard!

Tom, the Australian Agfa MSDS files are no longer on line. Do you happen to have the one for Neutol-Plus, the ascorbate paper developer? This would be quite interesting for me, since I've heard some good reports of it, including from Richard Knoppow.

Tom Hoskinson · Nov 26, 2007

john_s said:
Tom, the Australian Agfa MSDS files are no longer on line. Do you happen to have the one for Neutol-Plus, the ascorbate paper developer? This would be quite interesting for me, since I've heard some good reports of it, including from Richard Knoppow.

I'll check my flash drive archives and get back to you, John.

Rodinal Special: It's Not Rodinal But Is It Special?

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