Some kind of comparison chart for all developers?

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Hi everybody

I 'm looking for a comparison chart of developers all kind...

Does it exist ?? Can't find it.

Thx
 
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silvercloud2323
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No not developing times but characteristics of different developers.
So the specific reult effect you get with one film developer.
 

MattKing

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Not to my knowledge.
There is this Kodak chart:
upload_2020-4-19_18-28-49.png
 

Bormental

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:smile: When I started developing my film at home, I was looking for one too. I am now fairly convinced that it does not exist, because you cannot compare developers in general, as in you can't just say "this developer is sharper" or "adds more contrast". You can only compare developer+film combinations, and only when development is adjusted to achieve the same contrast (this clarification comes from Adrian Bacon here).

So... I started building my own personal collection of such combinations. So far I have 22 and they are not controlled, i.e. I do not have a "test target" and controlled light. I keep shooting what I like, but keep trying different films with just 3 developers (Xtol, DD-X and ID-11). Despite lacking scientific rigor, it's pretty obvious to me now that there is not a single "best developer" out there. I like Tri-X in Xtol better than Tri-X in DD-X, but Delta 100 and 400 are better in DD-X than in ID-11 (to my taste anyway). HP5+ is amazing in ID-11, average in Xtol and unpleasant in DD-X. And it goes on and on... I can see now why people develop preferences and I have stopped my quest to find The Perfect Developer.

... and that's just scratching the surface, because I am sticking to manufacturer's data sheets for development times and agitation methods! If you start playing with those variables, you're looking at a multi-dimensional vector space of possibilities.
 

John Bragg

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Hi everybody

I 'm looking for a comparison chart of developers all kind...

Does it exist ?? Can't find it.

Thx
Not a chart, but some iformation contained here. https://lavidaleica.com/content/choosing-bw-film-developer.
Start with what you actually want from a developer and that narrows the field somewhat. Film choice, format and subject all have a bearing on what you need from a developer. Good luck. So far it has taken me 35 years of film developing to come back to the first developer I was recommended as a novice (Ilfosol). However, it has been a fun journey.
 

bnxvs

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In my humble opinion, the problem is exists. And it’s not quite right to shrug it off due to the fact that “there is no ideal developer”. Unfortunately, practical sensitometry answers only some of the questions, that users usually care about (gamma, sensitivity, photo latitude, etc.), but I don't know any databases on criteria such as sharpness, grain size and distribution, permeability of different light wavelengths for different films. This is a large and costly work hardly for the individual initiative. Such a comparative study can only be done by a serious laboratory, with good funding.
Moreover, many of those photographers who are engaged in practical sensitometry do not publish at all the results of their research (measurement tables, curves).
That is why I made my own plotter and wanted to create a system for collecting results of sensitometric tests into one database on its basis. Unfortunately, this idea didn't arouse interest, so I left the project without continuing. (((
So for now, it remains to rely only on their own tests and impressions.
 
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silvercloud2323
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In my humble opinion, the problem is exists. And it’s not quite right to shrug it off due to the fact that “there is no ideal developer”. Unfortunately, practical sensitometry answers only some of the questions, that users usually care about (gamma, sensitivity, photo latitude, etc.), but I don't know any databases on criteria such as sharpness, grain size and distribution, permeability of different light wavelengths for different films. This is a large and costly work hardly for the individual initiative. Such a comparative study can only be done by a serious laboratory, with good funding.
Moreover, many of those photographers who are engaged in practical sensitometry do not publish at all the results of their research (measurement tables, curves).
That is why I made my own plotter and wanted to create a system for collecting results of sensitometric tests into one database on its basis. Unfortunately, this idea didn't arouse interest, so I left the project without continuing. (((
So for now, it remains to rely only on their own tests and impressions.

Thank you very much for this answer..
I do Not understand how to use this online plotter.
 
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silvercloud2323
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Not a chart, but some iformation contained here. https://lavidaleica.com/content/choosing-bw-film-developer.
Start with what you actually want from a developer and that narrows the field somewhat. Film choice, format and subject all have a bearing on what you need from a developer. Good luck. So far it has taken me 35 years of film developing to come back to the first developer I was recommended as a novice (Ilfosol). However, it has been a fun journey.

Thank you so much. I will use this info.

My goal is to create a kind of 'coarse grain'. So i am looking for the combinations , Film type and developer for this goal.
 

John Bragg

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In t
Thank you so much. I will use this info.

My goal is to create a kind of 'coarse grain'. So i am looking for the combinations , Film type and developer for this goal.
In that case, avoid solvent developers like D76 and use something like Rodinal 1+25 and a film like Agfapan APX400. That should get you somewhere near.
 

wyofilm

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Beyond the Zone System is a great book on B/W film photography overall. It covers many areas. I can recommend it as a resource of B/W photography. However, if you are primarily interested in the qualities of developers and why one might be used in a specific situation I would recommend The Film Developing Cookbook by Bill Troop and Steve Anchell. It really gives the whys and whatfors of film developers.
 
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silvercloud2323
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Beyond the Zone System is a great book on B/W film photography overall. It covers many areas. I can recommend it as a resource of B/W photography. However, if you are primarily interested in the qualities of developers and why one might be used in a specific situation I would recommend The Film Developing Cookbook by Bill Troop and Steve Anchell. It really gives the whys and whatfors of film developers.

HI,
Thanks for your words.
The Film Developing Cookbook, i already have but haven't read it yet.
I think i will buy Beyond the Zone System as well..
 
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silvercloud2323
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Hi Wyofilm,
Would you like to tell me something more about "Beyond the Zone System"?
What can it learn me?

Lieven
 

Horatio

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Thank you so much. I will use this info.

My goal is to create a kind of 'coarse grain'. So i am looking for the combinations , Film type and developer for this goal.

Did you see my thread on "Found the infamous Rodinal grain"? If not, I highly recommend Arista Edu 400 and Rodinal 1:100 @ 20C for 15 minutes. It's REALLY gritty. :smile:
 

DREW WILEY

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Well, the problem with that dumbed-down Kodak chart which has been reproduced innumerable times is that the characteristics of some of those developers dramatically change with different dilutions or degrees of development.
But I haven't used any packaged Kodak developers in the last 30 years except for HC-110, which I tinker with using added ingredients anyway. And I'm still using bottles of the old stuff; haven't even tried the last two renditions of HC110 yet ... maybe never.
 
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