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Technidol/POPA Question

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Konical

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Good Morning, Fellow Apugers,

Here’s my situation: My inventory of Technidol developer is both old and sparse. The newest I have is four packets of the liquid type which were purchased in 2003; I also have several packets of the powdered type which are undoubtedly older, but by how much I have no exact idea. When I last used one of the liquid packets from this inventory (perhaps a couple of years ago), the results were fine.

For long-exposure high-contrast nighttime shots, I have long standardized on T-Max 100 and processed the film in Technidol. Instead of mixing the liquid concentrate to make eight ounces of solution (the Kodak recommendation), I have used it to make ten ounces instead and processed the film, four sheets at a time, in an 8 × 10 Chromega drum (continuous agitation). Generally, my night shots have exposures ranging from about a minute and a half to perhaps four minutes at ƒ16 or thereabouts. My more or less “normal” processing time is about ten minutes, with seat-of-the-pants adjustment up or down depending on my perceived and remembered contrast level of a given scene.

Photographers Formulary offers two types of POTA developer, one described as “Phenidone Extended Range (POTA)” and the other as “Modified POTA Delagi 8.” My question: Can anyone offer an insightful opinion about which of those developers would most closely match Technidol’s contrast-taming performance when used in the manner described above?

Konical
 
Good Afternoon, Michael,

I much appreciate the information. It sounds as if either developer would probably work out OK for me. My main interest is in the contrast-taming; with 4 × 5 film, sharpness will depend mostly on the lens quality anyway.

Apologies to all others: sorry for the typo in the thread heading!

Konical
 
There is a fairly large group of developers for Tech Pan and high contrast situations besides POTA and Delagi. Some formulas are on APUG and others on the web.

Burton
Collins
H & W Control
HFD-301
Hode's Low Gamma
Perfection XR-1
SD-2415
T/D XDR-4
TDLC-3
 
Good Evening, Gerald,

Thanks. Any of those you would favor?

Konical
 
H&W Control has worked very well for me.
 
I would first try the H&W Control developer and then if necessary the Perfection XR-1.
 
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