Using Ilford-DDX with another developer

[Mahler_one]

After reading Steve Anschell's The Film Developing Cookbook one cannot help but become intrigued by the numerous formulations and combinations of various developers that many skilled photographers have promulgated. Many of the combination involve weighing out aliquots of various chemicals in an effort to realize the advantages of "solvent fine grain developers" and "high accutance developers" all in one.

I have been using DDX, and find that the negatives produced with Delta 100 indeed have very fine grain. I was wondering if any on APUG have found that adding another component to DDX enables one to realize the high accutance effect that enhances some negatives.

Thanks in advance for sharing any hints.

Edwin

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Add Water and reduce agitation: For developing Delta 100, Ilford recommend dilutiing the DDX stock solution 1:4 with water. Further increasing the dilution should result in increased acutance. Reduced agitation during development should also increase acutance.

See: http://www.silverprint.co.uk/PDF/ilfotecd.pdf

If you'd like to add another chemical (in addition to water) try adding some form of ascorbate.

 

[Mahler_one]

Thanks Tom. I already use DDX at the suggested 1 plus 4 dilution, but I certainly could go to a higher dilution. Since I use a Jobo I can easily try decreasing the agitation. I thought about Ascorbate, but I don't know the pH of the developer....if too low, the Ascorbate ( I think ) will be inactive.

Edwin

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

The pH of the DDX concentrate is given by the Ilford DDX MSDS as: 8.7

Also, you could always try adding a gram or so of ascorbic acid to the working developer solution.

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Thanks Tom. I already use DDX at the suggested 1 plus 4 dilution, but I certainly could go to a higher dilution. Since I use a Jobo I can easily try decreasing the agitation. I thought about Ascorbate, but I don't know the pH of the developer....if too low, the Ascorbate ( I think ) will be inactive.

Edwin

Edwin, if the pH is too low, add some Sodium Carbonate - or some triethanolamine (aka TEA):

... Pat Gainer's Perverted HC110.
"Add 50 grams of ascorbic or erythorbic acid to enough triethanolamine (TEA) to make 750 ml and heat enough to dissolve.
Add 250 ml of HC110 concentrate. Dilute 1 + 50 for use with most films. It's good on HP5+."

 

[Mahler_one]

Thanks again...good suggestion...I'll try the new "conditions" with a role of very non critical film!! Do you think the change in pH will also change the characteristics of the DDX?

Edwin

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Thanks again...good suggestion...I'll try the new "conditions" with a role of very non critical film!! Do you think the change in pH will also change the characteristics of the DDX?

Edwin

It is best to try a test roll and see if you like the results.