Jodad Posted February 26, 2018 Share #1 Posted February 26, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hey guys. So i now have a bunch of different rolls of B&W film (TMax, TriX,HP5,Foma100 etc.) that have been shot and are sitting in my fridge waiting to be developed. Most (other than a few 100s and 200s) are 400 ISO and some have been shot at box speed but most have been pushed between 1 and 2 stops. Is there a developer that I can use to develop all of these films? I'm not in the position to buy a bunch of different devs to suit each film. Is there sort of a jack of all trades developer that you guys recommend? Thanks Guys 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 26, 2018 Posted February 26, 2018 Hi Jodad, Take a look here Lots of different rolls of B&W film all pushed to different speeds.. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jodad Posted February 26, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted February 26, 2018 So far, suggestions have been 1 for XTOL, 2 for Rodinal, 1 for Kodak D-76 and 1 for Ilford ID-1. What do you guys think? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemgb Posted February 26, 2018 Share #3 Posted February 26, 2018 All of the above, and if you want to add one more I use HC-110. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernst_leitz Posted February 26, 2018 Share #4 Posted February 26, 2018 This link any good?http://web.tiscali.it/visualphoto/films/Regards 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted February 26, 2018 Share #5 Posted February 26, 2018 (edited) The quintessential "jack-of-all-trades" developers are Kodak D-76 and Ilford ID-11 (which is just Ilford's version of the D-76 formula). They are formulated to be "pretty darn good" in all of the variables a developer can affect: grain size, shadow speed, acutance (fine detail retention), etc. - while other developers may be better for any one variable. I use HC-110 myself for most things, but I'm not sure it is great for pushing film - it has a restrainer that produces nice fine, tight grain but is a bit weak in shadow detail (i.e. film speed). Rodinal and TMax developers produced more shadow density when I experimented with that parameter. Rodinal has minimal solvent, which means good shadow density and edge sharpness, but larger grain (some people mix their Rodinal with a bit of sodium sulfite (a solvent) to make it less grainy and more general-purpose-like). TMax developer and Ilford's Microphen are general-use developers with a bias towards full shadow detail. Beyond that, it gets into practicalities rather than performance: shelf-life once mixed, cost per roll, ease of liquid vs. powder mixing. My gut says that if you have to ask, then you want ID-11 or D-76 - and then do some research on how to use those for pushing as well as normal rolls. Edited February 26, 2018 by adan 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted February 26, 2018 Share #6 Posted February 26, 2018 Adan, you are not a fan of two-part developers? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jodad Posted February 26, 2018 Author Share #7 Posted February 26, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thank you for the suggestions Gents, i guess D76 or ID 11 are the way to go! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted February 26, 2018 Share #8 Posted February 26, 2018 I never felt too excited about D-76 - it's a jack of all trades, but I would rather go for ISO 400 films with Xtol (1:2) instead if you like to see less of clunky grain. For low speed films, I also use Rodinal (1:50). When you buy the Xtol powder packages, you have to prepare a larger quantity of developer stock solution. Since you have a bunch of films to develop this might be advantageous. Stored at room temperature, Xtol stock solution lasts for about a year. Rodinal lasts for a very long time. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyrogallol Posted February 28, 2018 Share #9 Posted February 28, 2018 I have been using Rodinal for a few years now and find it very reliable. It lasts right to the bottom of the bottle ( I do use Tetenal Protectan) and I have just used some from a friend who probably bought it 20+ years ago. Yesterday I used Rodinal for some 5x4 film. Developed in a print drum intended for 8x10 colour paper you can get away with using only a very small quantity of developer. I also use Microphen occasionally. Many years ago I always used D76 1+1 To answer the original question, if the films have been pushed a stop or two, ie underexposed, Microphen could be used as it should cope with the under exposure. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.Hilo Posted February 28, 2018 Share #10 Posted February 28, 2018 (edited) I only know Rodinal and have used it for 40 years. Have a look at this chart: https://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.php?Film=&Developer=Rodinal&mdc=%D0%98%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8C Edited February 28, 2018 by M.Hilo 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted February 28, 2018 Share #11 Posted February 28, 2018 (edited) I only know Rodinal and have used it for 40 years. I dispense Adox Rodinal from its large containers into dozens of 1 ounce brown glass bottles with caps that extend into the contents displacing any air (AKA reducer caps). It lasts forever! Edited February 28, 2018 by pico 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jodad Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share #12 Posted March 5, 2018 Ended up getting some HC110 and using it on an 800 HP5, a 1600 HP5 and a 1600 Delta Max and they look good. Got to get me a scanner to post the pictures 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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