What is your favorite film developer?

AndrewH · Jan 21, 2004

I use Microdol-X 1:3 and Diafine for Tri-X. In 120 I use Rodinal for the most part.

gareth harper · Jan 28, 2004

Ilfosol S for T-max
Rodinal for tri-x
DD-X for Delta 3200

Black Dog · Jan 28, 2004

Ilfosol S also good for FP4+ and Neopan SS
Rodinal also good for APX, TP and Maco ORT 25

André E.C. · Oct 25, 2005

Ilfotec DD-X!

Cheers

André

bobfowler · Oct 25, 2005

Microdol-X 1:3 works very well with a lot of films. HC-110 in various dilutions runs a very close second.

P C Headland · Oct 25, 2005

Rodinal for me.

I started with it as it was readily available, very economical, keeps forever and gives easily repeatable results. Since I was using 120 film, and tend to stick to ISO100 film, I wasn't so bothered with the possiblity of bigger grain.

I've stuck to higher dilutions (1+50 to 1+200) and reduced agitation since I prefer longer development times (again, easier to reproduce while learning) & have had no problems with grain, even on 35mm film. Even with two films where I expected big bad grain (APX400 in 120 and Neopan 1600 in 35mm) I've been pleasantly surprised. Sharp, nice tonal range and (sensitive souls avert eyes now......) easy to scan.

I've got some Diafine on its way for when I want to get a bit more speed, along with some more Rodinal to keep me in supplies for a while.

Paul

tim atherton · Oct 25, 2005

D23

(followed by DD-X)

Ole · Oct 25, 2005

Who resurrected thi old thread?

Anyway: Beutler's rollfilm developer (more or less = Neofin) for me. It's easy to mix, cheap, predictable, and gives great results. After trying Rodinal, I'll stick with my Beutler's.

André E.C. · Oct 25, 2005

Ole said:
Who resurrected thi old thread?
.

I did!
Preferences may change you know!

Cheers!

André

Schlapp · Oct 25, 2005

Rodinal for 120
Aculux2 for 35mm

pgomena · Oct 25, 2005

PMK pyro for 35mm Delta 100 and Tri-X, 120 Delta 100, 4x5 Delta 100 and Tri-X. I used HC-110 for years, but switched to PMK to help retain detail and separation in highlights. It's like magic. I soon will try Pyrocat HD for comparison sake and other advantages it offers.

Peter Gomena

PhotoPete · Oct 25, 2005

Love that Diafine!

wiseowl · Oct 25, 2005

I voted Rodinal, as I've been using it for quite some time. I'm currently experimenting with others as I'm looking for finer grain (Excuse my blasphemy O holiest high priest of the church of rodinal.)

modafoto · Oct 25, 2005

wiseowl said:
I'm looking for finer grain (Excuse my blasphemy O holiest high priest of the church of rodinal.)

That's alright. If you hunt fine grain the blessings of Rodinal might be wrong place to look.

BTW...I voted for XTOL

removed account4 · Oct 25, 2005

haven't changed ...
ansco130.

for a little bit ( 30-40 sheets of film and a few rolls), i used xtol, but my film was kind of thin, even when i over processed by 30% ....

dphphoto · Oct 25, 2005

HC110 in various dilutions, especially E, H, and 1/2 of E. Usually anything more dilute than dilution B. Have also used PMK pyro with TMX.
Two things strike me about this thread:
1.) We have so many choices;
2.) No one's trashing anyone else's choice. Dean

photo8x10 · Oct 25, 2005

I use PyroHD for films and sometimes D-76 or HC110

Best

Photo8x10

nworth · Oct 25, 2005

I've been a D-76 fan for almost 50 years, but lately I've started using Pyrocat-HD on a regular basis. I think I like it. I've also tried FX-37 a few times, and it appears to be an outstanding developer, especially for T-Max, but I haven't had the time or patience to calibrate it.

JohnArs · Oct 25, 2005

XTol as long as I get it!

Soeren · Oct 26, 2005

I need not say what I use, do I ?
It's cheap
Last forever
One shot convienience
Great in 1:50 and 1:100
Last forever
Don't die all of a sudden
There can be only one

Søren

modafoto · Oct 26, 2005

Soeren said:
I need not say what I use, do I ?
It's cheap
Last forever
One shot convienience
Great in 1:50 and 1:100
Last forever
Don't die all of a sudden
There can be only one

Søren

I have absolutely NO clue at all....Søren...TELL ME

markbb · Oct 26, 2005

dphphoto said:
Two things strike me about this thread:
1.) We have so many choices;
2.) No one's trashing anyone else's choice. Dean

I agree with the latter, but not the former. Of the choices , 4 are Kodak developers, 1 each from Ilford and Agfa and two 'open' pyros. A slight bias towards the USA?

nihraguk · Oct 26, 2005

I've used HC110 since I started out, because of how it seems to keep forever (even in a half-empty bottle). I use it at relatively high dilutions like 1+100. But now I have a roll or two or Delta 400 to develop, and maybe more Delta/HP5 in my future.. and I've been thinking of experimenting with another developer like Perceptol or Xtol.

Don't suppose anyone has comments on HC110 vs Perceptol/Xtol wrt Delta/HP5?

Ole · Oct 26, 2005

markbb said:
I agree with the latter, but not the former. Of the choices , 4 are Kodak developers, 1 each from Ilford and Agfa and two 'open' pyros. A slight bias towards the USA?

You mean the selections in the poll? Note that there are (as of this moment) 43 votes for "other"! I haven't checked to see what the "others" are, but I guess there will be at least 21 different developers there (43/2).

markbb · Oct 26, 2005

Maybe Ole, but no Perceptol, Microphen, Ilfotec DDX/LC29/HC? No Lithe developers, nothing from Macro, ect?

What is your favorite film developer?