I have done the search, I looked everywhere - old threads,new threads, even threads I participated in - and while Perceptol is mentioned often, there seems to be some wide ranging ideas on its use, dilutions and the effects thereof.
Here is my question. I am about to try Perceptol for the first time, even though I am a grain-o-phile and ardent Rodinal user (the other roll I will soup tonight is HP5 @800 in Rodinal
), I wanted to try some shots that I want to obtain minimum grain from, with smooth tonality.
Here is what I understand to be true:
The more you dilute Perceptol, the sharper the negs (through lesser disolving action of the developer). But, of course, the smaller its fine grain properties.
It seems that almost everyone scoffs at stock solution, and even 1+1. It seems 1+3 is the preferred dilution by those who use it.
To continue with my question, does Perceptol retain any of its fine grain properties at 1+3? In comparison to lets say, Rodinal 1+50 or D76 1+1 (I know they are different - I mean in relation to each one in its own right), what should I expect from Perceptol 1+3?
To give a little more detail, my trial roll is PanF+ @25, in 120 format. I will be using a patterson tank and reel (my usual agitation - using the stir-stick-twirly-thingy for 30 secs then 10 secs every minute at a steady, moderate pace) at 20deg C, and will print on a condenser enlarger. The roll contains a variety of subject matter as it was abit of a trial run - from portraiture to landscape to plant life, in normal outdoor lighting conditions - not too contrasty, but not a grey overcast day, either.
Sorry about my usual long-windedness (pehaps this is the signature I am looking for?), and thank you in advance for any and all input,
Peter.
PS. I plan to use the times I see on the MDC (which seem to be exactly Ilford's times) - if anyone has any suggestions other than that, I would love to read those, too.
Here is my question. I am about to try Perceptol for the first time, even though I am a grain-o-phile and ardent Rodinal user (the other roll I will soup tonight is HP5 @800 in Rodinal
), I wanted to try some shots that I want to obtain minimum grain from, with smooth tonality.Here is what I understand to be true:
The more you dilute Perceptol, the sharper the negs (through lesser disolving action of the developer). But, of course, the smaller its fine grain properties.
It seems that almost everyone scoffs at stock solution, and even 1+1. It seems 1+3 is the preferred dilution by those who use it.
To continue with my question, does Perceptol retain any of its fine grain properties at 1+3? In comparison to lets say, Rodinal 1+50 or D76 1+1 (I know they are different - I mean in relation to each one in its own right), what should I expect from Perceptol 1+3?
To give a little more detail, my trial roll is PanF+ @25, in 120 format. I will be using a patterson tank and reel (my usual agitation - using the stir-stick-twirly-thingy for 30 secs then 10 secs every minute at a steady, moderate pace) at 20deg C, and will print on a condenser enlarger. The roll contains a variety of subject matter as it was abit of a trial run - from portraiture to landscape to plant life, in normal outdoor lighting conditions - not too contrasty, but not a grey overcast day, either.
Sorry about my usual long-windedness (pehaps this is the signature I am looking for?
), and thank you in advance for any and all input,Peter.
PS. I plan to use the times I see on the MDC (which seem to be exactly Ilford's times) - if anyone has any suggestions other than that, I would love to read those, too.
