Rollei Retro 80s

[jpa]

Hello all.

First post here, and I'd like to know who has any experience developing Rollei Retro 80s in Rodinal? I shot it at iso 60, since I figured that I'd lose a bit of speed by developing it in Rodinal. I'm planning on using a 1:50 solution, and the information that I've gotten says to develop it at 14 minutes, probably only agitating every three minutes after the initial 30 seconds.

Any thoughts on time/agitation/etc. would be welcomed.

Thanks,
Jan

 

[Jedidiah Smith]

Hi Jan,
That's some good looking film! Amazingly clear negatives, I'm not used to seeing such a clear base. I just shot my first roll of Rollei 80s yesterday. Rated in at ISO 80, developed it in HC-110 dil. B for 5 min. Full agitation for 15 sec, then one agitation every minute, with additional agitation 30 sec before pouring deveoper out. It is easily on par with T-Max 100 for resolution (also dev. in HC-110 dil B), with slightly less grain (compared under a microscope).

Hope someone can help with the Rodinal question.
Best,
Jed

 

[Colin Corneau]

I concur with Jedidiah (cool name, BTW!). I tried the same development times as what the MDC recommended for Rollei Retro 100 (which is absolutely fantastic for grain, sharpness, tone, everything in Rodinal 1:50) and it came out well.

I too was amazed at how clear the base was, the complete absence of curl and how crisp and tight the grain was. It's a personal aesthetic choice, of course, but I love how the grain looks on these films.

 

[jpa]

Yes, I've only heard about the film and seen shots of it online, so I wanted to see for myself how it looks ( I obviously like what I've seen and heard ). I'm anxious, and so will probably just go ahead and develop it today.

 

[jpa]

Developed

As an update, I just developed it this morning ( day off work ). I used the MDC time of 14 minutes, even though I shot it at EI 60 ( figuring that it's effective speed would be slower when developed in Rodinal ). Apparently, it's speed is NOT slower in Rodinal, as the negatives are definitely over-developed. Not so much to the point where they aren't printable ( or scan-able ), but definitely too much time. I have one more roll shot at EI 60, so I'll decrease the development time on that one and see how it goes.

I'm wondering if you can actually push this film in Rodinal, without losing too much definition. Hmmm...

 

[Anon Ymous]

...Apparently, it's speed is NOT slower in Rodinal, as the negatives are definitely over-developed...

Overexposure and overdevelopment are two different things. Overexposure isn't really bad, as long as it's not excessive. A third of a stop more exposure is only beneficial to the shadows and it will not cause problems. Overdevelopment on the other hand is pretty bad.

I'm wondering if you can actually push this film in Rodinal, without losing too much definition. Hmmm...

Why? Rodinal isn't a good push processing developer, but why would you want to push a slow film when there are so many fine grained 400ISO films out there? You're not going to gain anything.

 

[jpa]

Oh, I'm just curious about the film. If I did push it, it would probably only be a little bit.

Also, the negatives are definitely over-developed, and not over-exposed. It can be sometimes difficult for me to tell the difference, but in this instance, it's apparent by the numbering on the edges of the film.

 

[Anon Ymous]

...Also, the negatives are definitely over-developed, and not over-exposed. It can be sometimes difficult for me to tell the difference, but in this instance, it's apparent by the numbering on the edges of the film.

Honestly, I don't think you can make any useful conclusions from the density of the frame numbers. Only printing your negatives will tell you that.

 

[RobertV]

http://www.aphog.de/downloads/Film+Chemie/TheRolleiRETRO_80s.pdf

and on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/maco/discuss/72157621747543009/