What should I try next?

OK, I have gotten the technique down and have been able to process and develop many rolls of film with my chemicals I've used so far. I am ready to try different chemicals to see what may work better, what may work worse, and what may just be a little easier. I am also open to trying different films, which would probably be an easy way to go.

Here is what I have used so far:
Arista II (Agfa) 400, 35mm size
Arista EDU Ultra 200 and 400 speeds, 120 size
TMax 400
Arista Liquid film developer
Arista fix
Dektol

I also have a few rolls of Ilford Delta 3200 I bought for a special project but ended up not needing for that project. Next time I need to do something in low-light I'll be ready

Thanks for all suggestions! Also, I am wanting to try xpro C-41 color film in B&W chemicals...what chemicals would work best for that? I am asking because I was just given about 12 rolls of color film, recently expired in a variety of speeds from my local Freecycle.

Arista film developer is made by Clayton. It's a good general, all purpose developer. It's also environmentally friendlier than most. Why switch? What results are you trying to acheve? Finer grain? Better contrast? Sharper images? You aren't going to get a developer that's easier to use (though, Photographer's Formulary claims that Exactol-Lux makes developing different films in the same tank a snap), because the comperable products like ID-11, D76, and the like all function much the same. I suggest that you get a copy of the Darkroom Cookbook, or The Film Developing Cookbook, both by Steve Anchell. Both describe the properties of different developers and developer types. You can also visit the Photographer's Formulary web site, and browse the film developers. You may find something that intrigues you.

--Gary

Gary,

I'm not necessarily wanting to switch because I don't like what I'm getting, I just don't want to be still using Arista developer 10 years from now when I hear about this D-76 developer that is 100% better. Ease of use is relative, to me the ease of mixing a gallon of fix or a liter of dektol and diluting from there is just as easy as mixing a 1:9 solution of Arista developer.

Although, more contrast would be nice.

What you're using is fine, but it might be time to do Tri-X in D76. The classic combo.

And then take stock choose one film and stick with it for quite a while.

Ian

Hold your best photo next to a friends best photo. Can you tell which dev he/she used? Probably not. Yes, devs can make a difference, but only up to a point. There are so many variables involved, the biggest being the composition of a good photo. More time in the dev, more agitation and higher temps will give you more contrast.

If Arista dev is working, why switch?

Try fp4+ in ID11/D76, 1+1.

You may also like Fuji Acros, though I often prefer the edge contrast 'bite' from the fp4+.

I think the next thing I try will be Rollei ATP.

What the guys are saying is that it's not what you use but how you use it. I have a large shelf full of developers, mostly of my own concoction. The problem is that I have such a time choosing that I don't get any serious photography done.

You're in a learning stage now. You can learn all about the basic photographic process with any one of the combinations you have tried. If you already know that stuff, you can search for a developer that is easier to use or cheaper or more reliable.

David Brown said:

What you're using is fine, but it might be time to do Tri-X in D76. The classic combo.

Click to expand...

In your avatar, is that Spock jamming with Elvis? Cool!

jim appleyard said:

In your avatar, is that Spock jamming with Elvis? Cool!

Click to expand...

Yes. (Stolen from the internet ... :rolleyes

David Brown said:

Yes. (Stolen from the internet ... :rolleyes

Click to expand...

Oh dear, copyright infringment.

developers

for me it comes down to ease of use and what really does work for YOU...I keep rodinal and pyrocat-mc on the shelf...because they will last indefinately;
as others have said stick with something and use it for a year and then move on if you want...better to spend your time learning how to print properly....
Best, Peter

Well, when you feel like experimenting, you could buy some Rodinal or one of its equivalents and give that a try - just to have a look at what you are missing. Had great results with APX100, but an Arista film should work as well. And if you want to know what grain is: try it with Delta3200.