Which developer for APX100 (new)?

[colinh]

Hello everyone,

I'm getting disappointing results from APX100 developed in Rodinal 1+50. HP5+, FP4+ and Acros are all quite nice (the grain doesn't bother me) - just the APX100 has awful grain and tonality.

It's very odd. I thought I'd read it described as "creamy".

I used the Rodinal datasheet's recommendation of 17 min (reduced due to processing at 22.5 deg C). Agitation as described in the datasheet. I made up the developer in 300 ml distilled water (ie. 6 ml Rodinal). I know they claim there should be 10 ml or more, but everyone reckons this is an exageration - and it works fine for the other films...

Any ideas?

My other developers are SPUR Nanospeed UR (only for SPUR Orthopan UR film - beautiful!), Ilford DD-X (I'm trying to move to developers with a slightly longer life), Rodinal 1+50, diafine (incredible results so far with HP5+)

Thanks,

colin

 

[Ian Grant]

That's very strange Colin, I've always had excellent grain & tonality with APX100 and Rodinal at 1:50. In fact the combination gives outstanding results, I used 35mm 120 & 5x4..

But I'm sure that for my normal development I developed for a lot less than 17 minutes, more like 10 or 11.

The only reason I stopped using APX100 was when it was no longer available in 5x4 as I prefer to stick with one film for all formats.

Ian

 

[Uhner]

I have not used APX 100 for several years now. But back then I developed APX for 10 to 12 minutes in Rodinal 1+50@20C. 30 seconds of initial agitation and two gentle inversions once every minute. That gave me very good results.

I usually find that AGFA’s development instructions for slow and medium speed films in Rodinal are way to hot for my liking. In their defence they do, however, state that their times aim for a contrast of 0.65…

 

[Fotohuis]

Wrong time, overdeveloped in Rodinal!

Use for APX100 (new)/Rollei Retro 100 (so APX100 production run 2005) the following Rodinal times:


Dead Link Removed

E.I. 80 10:00 min. is the optimum for 1+50 Rodinal. Use slow agitation, first minute continuous, then every 30S 2x slow.
R09 1+40 will give slightly denser negatives and more grain with the same developing time.

Best regards,

Robert

 

[Fotohuis]

6ml is just on the safe side with one roll 135-36 or 120 roll film under all circumstances.

Here some APX100/Rollei Retro 100 Rodinal 1+25 and 1+50 examples:
http://gallery.fotohuisrovo.nl/thumbnails.php?album=11

 

[colinh]

Yes Ian, I thought it was strange too, but from Uhner and Fotohuis it looks like the development time is waaay out. But I definitely read that the emulsion had been changed and is supposed to require longer development ie 17 minutes - according to the Rodinal datasheet. OK, I'll try 10 min

As it happens, I'm just scanning my first APX100 (EI 200) in diafine. And, yes, it looks better than my APX100 in Rodinal 1+50 !!!

I'm starting to like Diafine...

colin

 

[Fotohuis]

Indeed, the Rodinal times on the sheet are wrong. A&O (the new owner of the Agfa chemical plant in Vaihingen/Enz), will correct them in their new data sheet.

Diafine works especially fine with HP5+, Neopan 400/1600, Tri-X(400):
http://www.fotohuisrovo.nl/documentatie/Diafine_Acu-1_BKA.pdf

More information about the interesting Rodinal developer you can find here:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/rodinal/discuss/72157600245966695/

and if you're interested in a test Rodinal versus (Fomadon) R09:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/rodinal/discuss/72157601393747142/

Best regards,

Robert

 

[colinh]

Thank you very much Robert!

Very interesting / useful information.

So, developing for 13 minutes at 23 deg C (reduced from 17 min at 20 deg C) would not be expected to give good results

I'm looking forward to trying it for 10 minutes at 20.0 deg C!


colin

 

[Fotohuis]

So, developing for 13 minutes at 23 deg C (reduced from 17 min at 20 deg C) would not be expected to give good results

Rodinal development over 22 degrees C will cause exessive grain, which is typical for each para-amino phenol developer. Try to keep your Rodinal developing temperature between 19-20 degrees C. For 19 degrees you have to compensate for just a bit LONGER developing time according the regular temperature compensating table.

Best regards,

Robert

 

[Snapshot]

I use APX routinely (having a significant stockpile) and I can concur with the other comments that your development time is too long. Try 13 minutes with Rodinal and see if the results are better. Rodinal, however, will do little to mask APX's grain, as it is more pronounced that T-Max or Delta. Nonetheless, APX will give you great sharpness and excellent tones.