How to Emulate Agfapan 400

[ColColt]

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Over the decades of the 70's and 80's my taste in 400 speed film was mostly Tri-X and occasionally HP-5 until I discovered Agfapan 400. Developed in Rodinal 1:75 I hit on something that pleased the eye much more than either of the other two. Unfortunately, Agfapan 400 is no longer available and I'm still having problems finding something close to it in grain structure, sharpness and tonal value. Current Tri-X doesn't seem to do it nor does HP-5 which I develop in HC-110 Dilution H usually.

 

Agfapan just had the look I liked. Is there another ASA 400 film that may be comparable to it, if you've worked with Agfapan you know what I mean. Here are some examples why I liked it so much.

 

scan0003a by David Fincher, on Flickr

Dad022 by David Fincher, on Flickr

Donnie029a by David Fincher, on Flickr

[chris_livsey]

I am puzzled when you want to replicate a film look you had nailed down you start by switching the developer that worked in that combination when the film has gone.

 

To lose one part of your success, Mr. Colt, may be regarded as a misfortune. To lose both looks like carelessness.

 

With apologies to Mr Wilde.

[250swb]

Yep, you need to get the Rodinal out.

 

 

Steve

[ColColt]

What was not mentioned is the fact I did try Rodinal at the same 1:75 dilution I used with Agfapan and didn't like the results. That's why I tried HC-110. Agfapan and Rodinal went together, just like FP-4 and Rodinal goes together but not with Tri-X for my taste.

[Yellup]

Rollei RPX is cheap and low grain for a 400 asa in HC110, or LC29 however in Rodinal there is a difference ..... Perhaps worth a try. If I can find some scans, i'll post them up.

 

Tbh if a film has been discontinued, it is futile hanging onto a "finish" that you were happy with as without the same ingredients, you cannot replicate the same end reults.

 

I think the best you can do, is simply play with other combinations of film, developer, agitation and times ( yes, these last two elements will make a difference!) until you find something else that pleases you even though it may not be the same as what you have "lost"

[pico]

I feel your pain. I miss the old version of Tri-X.

 

Have you tried AgfaPhoto APX 400 in Rodinal 1:25?

[gbealnz]

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Like Pico, I too feel your pain. I lived on APX100 and Rodinal, loved it, seldom used anything else, apart from the odd roll of APX400.

Rodinal is still my preferred soup, maybe I should try some FP4.

Gary

[Paulus]

I used agfapan 400 for over a decade. Now I use Tmax 400 with T max developer. It's not the same, but is works for me.

[ColColt]

I've found Tri-X today a bit different than it use to be...at least to my eyes. I wouldn't use anything but Rodinal for FP-4 as it seems to render the sharpness and tonal values of the film about as good as it gets, However; ID-11 does a pretty good job as well.

 

I haven't tried AgfaPhoto APX 400 yet and that may be a viable alternative. lford Delta 400 is nice but I find it a little more "sterile" as it's called today in comparison to Tri-X and HP-5.

[chris_livsey]

No harm, now it's available in single cassettes, in giving the Retropan a run. Issue would be long term viability. Who knows who is vulnerable to leaving the market, is a niche player more likely to survive than one of the big boys carrying their legacy of massive scale equipment and overheads?

At Ilford it was frightening really to see how little of the original factory space was now over to production, long walks between the stages and a few staff when you got there, they are still hoping to re-build on an appropriate scale.

Anyway news today is cassette tapes are on the up, who would have thought!!