Sprint Systems Standard B&W Developer compared to other developers

[yansa]

Hello everyone. First post!
I'm recently restarting my photography studies after a long hiatus spent working and not making images. One of my goals is to refine my process and learn the nuances of the tools I use in photography. My school supplies free Sprint Systems black and white chemistry, which is the only developer that I've used to develop my own film. I'm curious if anyone has tested Sprint Standard compared to other developers and can speak on its characteristics. I have never had any issues using Sprint Standard, but I would still like to learn what qualities this developer imparts to film

I have done quite a bit of researching online about the various developer types and there is a surprising lack of information and in depth testing on Sprint chemicals. It is oddly left out of many tests that test 10+ B&W developers. I shoot a lot of architecture, landscape, and night time street photography, so I would like to use a developer that retains shadow detail well. I've read that DD-X is good for this and for pushing film in general. So can anyone compare Sprint Standard to DDX or any of the other popular developers before I go out and buy a whole bottle to blindly test it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[loccdor]

Likely comparable to Kodak D-76 or Ilford ID-11. These are tried-and-true popular developers. Does not contain Metol though. Hydroquinone based. No doubt a fine all-purpose film developer.

The best way to retain shadow detail is to add more exposure rather than change your developing scheme.

Welcome to Photrio!

 

[Alan9940]

I used Sprint chemistry for many years and, though I never did any direct comparisons between their film developer and others that I used at the time, I was never disappointed with my results using Sprint Standard. IMO, it's a fine all-around developer. There is no "magic bullet" with any film developer. Nowadays, I do use other formulas (like pyro-based) for very specific reasons and not because I think they're better.

 

[yansa]

Likely comparable to Kodak D-76 or Ilford ID-11. These are tried-and-true popular developers. Does not contain Metol though. Hydroquinone based. No doubt a fine all-purpose film developer.

The best way to retain shadow detail is to add more exposure rather than change your developing scheme.

Welcome to Photrio!

What characteristics does metol impart to the film? Is there any literature I should look into to learn about how the different chemicals affect film on a broad level?

I used Sprint chemistry for many years and, though I never did any direct comparisons between their film developer and others that I used at the time, I was never disappointed with my results using Sprint Standard. IMO, it's a fine all-around developer. There is no "magic bullet" with any film developer. Nowadays, I do use other formulas (like pyro-based) for very specific reasons and not because I think they're better.

Yes, I agree that there is no "perfect" developer. But each developer has its own unique qualities, and I'm trying to find out what Sprint Standard's are if any. More or less grain, higher or lower contrast, or how to work with Standard to achieve those effects through dilution, temperature control, agitation, or additives.

 

[loccdor]

Hydroquinone is a little higher contrast, higher grain, better for flatter subjects. Metol helps work with subjects that already have high contrast lighting. In D-76, both are used. They help balance each other out. Those more experienced with chemistry will be able to say more on the topic.

 

[Alan9940]

But each developer has its own unique qualities, and I'm trying to find out what Sprint Standard's are if any. More or less grain, higher or lower contrast, or how to work with Standard to achieve those effects through dilution, temperature control, agitation, or additives.

I think you'll find Sprint Standard comparable to any of the "standard" film developers out there such as D-76, ID-11, DD-X, etc. IMO, Sprint Standard doesn't impart any special characteristics or cause any anomalies of concern. It's simply a straight ahead, middle of the road formula.

If you visit Sprint Systems website, you'll find a ton of technical information on developing with this developer.