thinking about trying Clayton F76

vedmak · Sep 12, 2009

I like to try Clayton F76 mainly because of convenience, has anyone used it and can comment on its shelf life and times with tri-x and Efke 50 films?:confused:

marcmarc · Sep 12, 2009

I use it exclusively with 120 size Delta 3200. Rumor has it it's almost the same as Ilford DDX but much cheaper. It's a Hydoquinone based developer but I'm not sure what DDX is.

As for shelf life, many moons ago I left a half full bottle sitting around (cannot remember how long maybe a few months) and went to process a roll and it came out very underdeveloped. Since I use Delta 3200 for specific purposes, I buy enough to get me through the bottle. I process two rolls a day, one before heading off to work and another in the evening. Seems to last OK with this method. Just to be certain though I decant into smaller brown glass bottles.

R W Penn · Sep 13, 2009

Try it you will like it!! It is hard to find in Chicago,Ill USA

vedmak · Sep 13, 2009

Freestyle states that Clayton f76 if more like d-76 by Kodak, not similar to ddx, which was made to complement ilford Delta film line.

kreeger · Feb 21, 2010

Clayton F76+/Arista Premium Liquid Film Developer = same stuff

vedmak said:
Freestyle states that Clayton f76 if more like d-76 by Kodak, not similar to ddx, which was made to complement ilford Delta film line.

Passing along for users of Clayton F76+...

I've done some fairly extensive evaluation of Clayton F76+ and the Arista Premium Liquid Film Developer sold by Freestyle. I first noticed that their MSDS sheets for shipping are exactly the same, the dilution is the same, even the fonts used on document. The PH of the stock solution is exactly the same, and when diluted are exactly the same according to my PH meter.

My film development tests so far show the same across the board in density for the same times. Seeing how they are just down the road from each other by address... it only makes sense.

I've been working with Phenidone based developers through the years. I find that F76+ is one that works very very well. Results are very predictable and it's easy to mix and use. As a solvent, Phenidone is my all time favorite developing agent. Try making D23 sometime and substitute Phenidone for Metol in the proper amount, it will surprise you.

If you like F76+ like I do, the 64oz Arista Premium Liquid Film Developer is a better buy.

Christopher Walrath · Feb 21, 2010

I have some. Gonna have to give it a go. Kinda like when Benz bought Chrysler and all those guys with Darts look at them never beleiving they'd ever own a Benz. Wow, the cheap stuff I've been avoiding is actually D-76. Woo Hoo! Well, a liquid version, anyhow.

SilverGlow · Feb 21, 2010

I use F76 exclusively, either Clayton labeled or Arista Premium labeled. It works very well; and working solution lasts at least one month per Lowell, a Clayton Chemical contact. He mentioned that a bottle of F76 opened should have a shelf life of around 6 months if kept in the dark, tightly capped, and at or under 72F.

F76 works fantastically with Plus-X, and Tri-X, and I suspect with others too. The AP labeled version is priced very well too; cheap!

BBarlow690 · Feb 21, 2010

I switched from HC-110 to F76 after I found that I liked the shadow separation using F76 with Tri-X better than HC-110, which tended to depress lower values, IMHO. I'm also using F76 with HP5 and it's quite nice.

It keeps pretty well. I decant a liter at a time from a gallon jug into a fizzwater bottle, and it seems to keep pretty well - months. I dumped some when it turned dark brown in the liter bottle...after maybe a year. Serves me right. I should photograph more.

Lowell Huff · Feb 22, 2010

Hello "VEDMAK", Clayton F76plus Developer(phenidone) is not like D 76 (metol). F 76 is a second generation formula of our Clayton F 60 Film Developer. F 60 was first introduced in 1960. Given this time line, Ilford DDX is very similar to Clayton F 76, not the reverse. F 76 is a "gamma 1" developer with a very wide processing latitude. F 76 Developer is recommended for both manual and machine processing. Depending on the machine, dilutions, processing temperatures and processing times vary. Yes, Freestyle and Clayton do have a very close working relationship.

kreeger · Feb 23, 2010

I find the best way to keep track of potency is through PH measurements. If you have a PH meter, check the value of fresh solution and monitor it. I had some that started to turn yellow in a Clayton quart bottle after 2 months. It went from PH 10.4 to 9.8 so I pitch it. I am using the Falconstor accordion type bottles and that works very well also for the 1/2 gallon Arista Premium.

SilverGlow · Feb 24, 2010

Tri-X ISO 400 developed with F76

Tri-X ISO 400 developed with F76, taken with a Canon EOS 1v SLR, Canon 35mm F1.4L lens, Canon 580ex flashed:

kreeger · Feb 24, 2010

Fuji Neopan 400, F76+

Here are photographs I've made in the snow last month. Details are:
Clayton F76+, 1:9, 6 mins @68F
Fuji Neopan 400.
Camera is Hasselblad 500ELX,

My two favorite lenses!
120mm S-Planar (porch)
60mm Distagon (farm equipment).

These are both unmanipulated, straight scans of the 6x6cm negatives with an Epson 4490. I rate my Neopan at 200.

Hikingman · Apr 27, 2010

Mix small amounts of F76+ concentrate for each darkroom session-as you need it. And keep the rest stored in the form of concentrate. Store in the original or smaller bottle(s) to lessen the amount of surrounding air-for longer shelf life. The color of the bottle makes no difference (per a Clayton employee during a phone call, today).

-John

Alan9940 · Jun 30, 2023

F76+ is my go-to developer for Ilford Delta 100. Absolutely stunning tonal range and good sharpness. Shelf life is about the same as most other liquid developers like DD-X, for example.

Todd Niccole · Jun 30, 2023

I really like F76+ and wouldn't mind standardizing on it for certain applications but I just don't do that much volume. It produced very pleasing and finer grain with HP5. I don't know exactly how long it will last but after several month of being opened the small volume left was dead. But that's probably the same old story for most developers.

kreeger · Jun 30, 2023

Eugen Mezei said:
What would be the proper amount of Phenidone instead of Metol in D23?

In practice, my experience is that I typically just Phenidone is typically 1/10th the amount of Metol. See this thread for more discussion:

Phenidone substitution

The Darkroom Cook Book says you can substitute metol with phenidone at around 10% of the weight of phenidone. It doesnt mention if you can substitute phenidone with metol but if you did would just multiply the weight of phenidone by 10? i want to try the Mytol formula #26 Sodium Sulfite...

www.photrio.com

Paul Howell · Jun 30, 2023

I used Clayton off and on for many years, I switched from F76 to other developers like MCM 100, then back to F76 when MCM 100 became so expensive. As I am not shooting much film at the moment I changed to HC 110, but if I starting shooting again will return to F76,

TomR55 · Jun 30, 2023

I use Clayton's F76+ for Kodak TMAX 100/400, as well as Tri-X--using the times recommended by Clayton and agitation procedures recommended by Kodak with excellent results. I also have had very good results using this developer with Ilford HP5+ and FP4_, as well as Kentmere 100, 400 and the AgfaPhoto 100 and 400 films (all of these are 135).

As far as usable shelf life .... I store these in a cool dark space and easily obtain 2 months dependable usage for partially used bottles.

thinking about trying Clayton F76

vedmak

marcmarc

R W Penn

vedmak

kreeger

Christopher Walrath

SilverGlow

BBarlow690

Lowell Huff

kreeger

SilverGlow

Attachments

kreeger

Attachments

Hikingman

Alan9940

Todd Niccole

kreeger

Phenidone substitution

Paul Howell

TomR55

thinking about trying Clayton F76

Attachments

Attachments

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency