Strange marks with rodinal stand processing

cliveh

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Oct 9, 2010
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If you are copying fine line artwork such as lithographic drawings using ortho film material in a process camera, then still bath or stand development can be useful in preserving the micro contrast between fine black and white areas in the original. But for general photography and development of panchromatic material it has little benefit and can often produce detrimental effects on your negatives.
 

M Carter

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Jan 23, 2013
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Dallas, TX
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The "why stand" question -

There are some bloggers who insist "it's the only way to develop your film!!! Any film, any speed, you get a full range of tones", etc. etc. And since it's a blog-thing, newer people (and young people) who perhaps don't even know about the existence of "books" read that and get into it.

Then throw in the ease at which new people to any sort of practice hear a "this is a magic bullet, few people do it, almost a secret club, and your negs will look better than anything else" and jump right in.

Not knocking stand, tried it once, unimpressed, want uniformity, etc. Just addressing what may be some reasons why stand has become so popular in the last few years,

That said, Rodinal is a fascinating developer to me - the fact you can control the mid-ranges of the neg via dilution is really useful - high ratios are something I really like for some portraits, to really pop facial details and contrast. But I do light those shots differently, a little more fill, get the lower mids up if possible, to compensate for the compensation if you will.
 
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