Which developer to try next.

eheldreth · Nov 22, 2004

I have been using ilfosol-s for a while now and want to try something different. I have been thinking about rodinal or perhaps one of the pyro based developers and thought I would ask your opinion. In the past I have mainly shot on delta 100, though I am going to try FP4 and a perhaps Agfapan.

Ole · Nov 22, 2004

Since you shoot 35mm, I would suggest you keep your developer, but switch to Pan-F and FP4+. But then again I have a deep dislike of Delta 100, and an equally deep love of FP4+ in Ilfosol-S.

Eric Rose · Nov 22, 2004

I have used APX100 and FP4 extensively. Both work well in either Rodinal, HC110 (dil B) or PyroCat-HD. Each developer has it's own look, so experiment to find out what it looks like for you. Then use the appropriate developer for the creative expression you want to produce. BTW I have used FP4 at both 64 and 125 asa's with PyroCat-HD. The 64 asa was with LF and the 125 asa in 35mm. Each produced excellent negs.

Developers are cheap, so go nuts!

Just our of curiosity, what is the Kodak equiv of Ifosol-S?

eheldreth · Nov 22, 2004

While I have been shooting 35mm I just picked up an old Yashica Mat-124G Friday, so I will be using MF as well. This is actualy what prompted me to start looking at diffrent film/developer combos.

VoidoidRamone · Nov 22, 2004

I think APX100 and Rodinal 1:50 is the best (in my opinion, of course). Pan F+ and FP4+ are also great in Rodinal.... so basically what I'm saying is that I love Rodinal. I'm not a big fan of the Delta films, so I don't have a lot of experience with those. And I am just starting to try pyro developers, I have only tried WD2D+ thus far, and I really like it with APX100. -Grant

TPPhotog · Nov 22, 2004

Another vote for Rodinal and against the Delta range other than Delta 3200.

Film suggestions are Pan F (25-50);FP4+ (50-200); HP5+ (200-1600) - I love Ilford films
Other possible developers ID-11 or D-76. DD-X if you like fluffy grain.

All just my personal preferences of course.

eheldreth · Nov 22, 2004

I think I'll try FP4 and APX100 with rodinal then. Thanks for your advise.

blansky · Nov 23, 2004

I use FP4 and Alta Zonal Pro developer.

No huge reason, I just like the results.

Michael

sergio caetano · Nov 23, 2004

Old and good D23.

Ole · Nov 24, 2004

eheldreth said:
While I have been shooting 35mm I just picked up an old Yashica Mat-124G Friday, so I will be using MF as well. This is actualy what prompted me to start looking at diffrent film/developer combos.

FP4 in Ilfosol-S is even better in MF - that's all I used when I did "commercial" work! The only reason I don't use Ilfosol-S now is that I don't use enough film to keep the supply fresh. It turned out I was the only one in Bergen who used it...

djklmnop · Nov 24, 2004

eheldreth said:
I have been using ilfosol-s for a while now and want to try something different. I have been thinking about rodinal or perhaps one of the pyro based developers and thought I would ask your opinion. In the past I have mainly shot on delta 100, though I am going to try FP4 and a perhaps Agfapan.

Since you've fiddled around with normal to high energy developer, try developing in ultra fine-grain developer such as Microdol-X or Perceptol.

modafoto · Nov 24, 2004

eheldreth said:
I think I'll try FP4 and APX100 with rodinal then. Thanks for your advise.

You'll be happy. Welcome to the church!

arigram · Nov 24, 2004

Ole said:
FP4 in Ilfosol-S is even better in MF - that's all I used when I did "commercial" work! The only reason I don't use Ilfosol-S now is that I don't use enough film to keep the supply fresh. It turned out I was the only one in Bergen who used it...

What's special about Ilfosol-S apart that it comes in liquid form?
I only use D-76 and Rodinal and I have to order them just for me in contrast with Ilfosol-S that is pleanty available around here. That and PQ Universal.
I never really used them as the Internet pushed me more towards the above developers. The films I use are "traditional" grained TriX, HP5+, FP4+ in MF.

I would like to know if only to give Ilfosol-S a second chance.

rogueish · Nov 24, 2004

I've used Ilford-S and was happy with the results. Used on FP4, HP5, and all 3 Deltas. Switched to Ilford HC as it is concentrated (longer shelf life) since I have recently had to slow down on my photography (time demands, no worries).
Also just bought my first bottle of Rodinal and processed some HP5 last night. Didn't have time for a real close inspection, but the negs looked good. The massive dev. chart suggested a time of 6 minutes while the paper from Agfa says 10 min. Couldn't make up my mind, so I did it for 7 minutes (1+25), 10 seconds agitation every minute. I think this has been covered, but any suggestions?

BWGirl · Nov 24, 2004

arigram said:
What's special about Ilfosol-S apart that it comes in liquid form?
I only use D-76 and Rodinal and I have to order them just for me in contrast with Ilfosol-S that is pleanty available around here. That and PQ Universal.
I never really used them as the Internet pushed me more towards the above developers. The films I use are "traditional" grained TriX, HP5+, FP4+ in MF.

I would like to know if only to give Ilfosol-S a second chance.

I really like the fine grain look from Ilfosol-S. My only beef with it is that it loses potency so darned quick that you'd have to have a lot of exposed film to make using it worthwhile. I used it exclusively until I became one of the "converted" and started using Rodinal.

modafoto · Nov 24, 2004

BWGirl said:
I used it exclusively until I became one of the "converted" and started using Rodinal.

Gooood girl, Jeanette! The church is pleased to see you follow the road to eternal happiness.

Cheers from His Graininess, High Priest and dr.rod. Morten Damkjær

BWGirl · Nov 24, 2004

ooze · Nov 24, 2004

My preferred developer is XTOL for everything apart from TMAX3200 (for which I use TMAX).
Other developers I have used are ID-11/D76, TMAX and Rodinal.

fhovie · Nov 24, 2004

I have used the following (homebrew) - D76 - D23 (straight and split) - PMK - Microdol X - PyrocatHD - and recently Mytol
I am really excited about Mytol - I found a cheap source of Sodium Ascorbate -
http://www.nowcatalog.com/0762.html
the rest of the chemicals can be found at photoformulary, artcraft chemical or fotochem
1 liter water
60g Sodium Sulfite
13g Sodium Ascorbate
.15g Phenidone
3g Sodium Bisulfite
The fomula gives incredably tight grain - and unlike high solivent developers, it actually gives full film speed and maybe a little more. I think this will be my new roll film developer - same times and performance as XTOL
Mixing my own chemicals gives me a great deal of control and much greater satisfaction in my work.

modafoto · Nov 24, 2004

ooze said:
My preferred developer is XTOL for everything apart from TMAX3200 (for which I use TMAX).
Other developers I have used are ID-11/D76, TMAX and Rodinal.

XTOL is about to enter my darkroom and I will, of course, try to mix it with Rodinal as I have been told is a great thing to do...

Morten

arigram · Nov 24, 2004

modafoto said:
XTOL is about to enter my darkroom and I will, of course, try to mix it with Rodinal as I have been told is a great thing to do...

Morten

You are going to spoil the purity of Rodinal?
Morten I didn't expect it from you!

modafoto · Nov 24, 2004

arigram said:
You are going to spoil the purity of Rodinal?
Morten I didn't expect it from you!

No, I just want it to help XTOL a bit

arkoshkobash · Nov 24, 2004

I use a pyro developer, but I only contact print, even rollfilm. Haven't tried any other kinds of developers, but I like my prints.

PepMiro · Nov 24, 2004

I used a lot of FP4+ with Ilfosol-S. It's a wonderful combination that gives fine grain, sharp results and good contrast. Recently, due to Ilford bankrunpt, I began using Kodak TMAX with XTOL. I'm also very pleased with the results, giving fine grain and sharpness. About the contrast, I find XTOL gives more gray tonallities.

Eric Rose · Nov 24, 2004

Hey no one has answered my question! What is the Kodak equivalent of Ilfosol-S?? I think I tried Ilfosol-S once and didn't like it. Not enough contrast, but I could be wrong. But then again I don't like the look of D-76 either. I'm a heretic I know.

Which developer to try next.

eheldreth

Ole

Moderator

Eric Rose

eheldreth

VoidoidRamone

TPPhotog

eheldreth

blansky

sergio caetano

Ole

Moderator

djklmnop

modafoto

arigram

rogueish

BWGirl

modafoto

BWGirl

ooze

fhovie

modafoto

arigram

modafoto

arkoshkobash

PepMiro

Eric Rose

Which developer to try next.

Moderator

Moderator

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