I have just become the owner of 30 rolls of APX100 for my recently acquired SQA (6x6cm). Not having used this film before, I have decided to also give a new developer a go. Not just any old developer mind you, I have decided to give staining developers a try, not having used them before either... Yes, I know, too many changes at once but hey, I've got lots of spare time for the next few weeks due to a disagreement with my (now ex) manager (I suggested he was an emotionally & intellectually challenged, back-stabbing, two-faced, lying little weasel. He took a somewhat different viewpoint. The outcome was pretty inevitable really - now I come to look back at it...
).
PMK is probably the most common of the staining formulas and is the easiest for me to buy ready made in the UK, but I'm open to a mix-it-yourself from bare chemicals approach... I don't really want to go down the proprietary developer route which rules out a couple of options - I'd much prefer a well established published recipe, even if I actually buy it ready mixed.
My intention is to use my Paterson plastic reels and tanks, unless that is likely to cause a problem, with intermittent or stand development. Also, an option is my CPE-2 but I understand most pyro developers oxidise too quickly for rotary development (although I read there are a couple recommended for rotary use).
I mainly shoot outdoors - i.e. lots of contrast when the sun is shining but, this being England, lots of times it's overcast giving low contrast... So looking for a forgiving developer as I can't adjust development time for each shot on roll film (I only have one film back). Good acutance would be nice (small grain too as I've sort of gotten used to it over he last couple of years with 4x5" - but I realise the two are generally mutually exclusive) and I'm not worried about loosing some film speed. I mainly print on to Ilford MG VC paper (FB and RC).
Any suggestions as to a favoured staining developer - either in general or with this particular film in mind?
Cheers, Bob.

PMK is probably the most common of the staining formulas and is the easiest for me to buy ready made in the UK, but I'm open to a mix-it-yourself from bare chemicals approach... I don't really want to go down the proprietary developer route which rules out a couple of options - I'd much prefer a well established published recipe, even if I actually buy it ready mixed.
My intention is to use my Paterson plastic reels and tanks, unless that is likely to cause a problem, with intermittent or stand development. Also, an option is my CPE-2 but I understand most pyro developers oxidise too quickly for rotary development (although I read there are a couple recommended for rotary use).
I mainly shoot outdoors - i.e. lots of contrast when the sun is shining but, this being England, lots of times it's overcast giving low contrast... So looking for a forgiving developer as I can't adjust development time for each shot on roll film (I only have one film back). Good acutance would be nice (small grain too as I've sort of gotten used to it over he last couple of years with 4x5" - but I realise the two are generally mutually exclusive) and I'm not worried about loosing some film speed. I mainly print on to Ilford MG VC paper (FB and RC).
Any suggestions as to a favoured staining developer - either in general or with this particular film in mind?
Cheers, Bob.