andreasgreuter
Hello everyone,
I’m new here and thought I’d start with a question:
In your opinion, which 400 film, when used with which developer, gives the best results?
I’m currently using Tmax 400 and developing it in Ultrafin Plus at a 1:4 dilution.
I’m actually quite happy with that, but I’m wondering if there isn’t something a bit more sophisticated out there.
I’d be very grateful for any tips,
Best regards, Andreas
cfb_de
Hi Andreas,
35mm, I assume.
Right then. You’re probably going to get at least seven recommendations from three people now :-) I’ll start.
200 ASA: HP5+ in HRX-II. Fine grain. Follow the instructions. 30x40 works.
400 ASA: HP5+ in Rodinal 1+50. Fine grain. However, processing temperature <19°C, time-consuming (until the solution is flat). 17 mins, Agfa-Kipp. 30x40 is fine.
400–500 ASA: TMY in HRX-II. Finest grain, suitable for at least (!) 30x40. Follow package instructions.
800 ASA: HP5+ in Rodinal 1+25. Newsreel grain. 8 mins, Ilford agitation. 20x30.
1600 ASA: HP5+ in Rodinal 1+25. Grain and newsreel look. ?? mins, ??-Kipp (I’ll have to look that up now) 20x30.
As you can see, I use two films in this range. And two developers. That way, I’ve got my processes under control.
Then there’s also: TC27 in Rodinal @400. Accentuated grain, extended red range. Very nice. Others pay the extra for fancier packaging. In D76, according to the instructions, it comes out quite of fine grain. For me, it replaces the HP5+, possibly with an IR-blocking filter in front of the lens.
A 30m roll costs around €
andreasgreuter
Hi Franz,
Thanks for your prompt reply!
What exactly is HRX-II?
I’ve never heard of it before – where can I get hold of it?
I’ll go into more detail about the rest of your information tomorrow.
But for now, many thanks,
Best regards, Andreas
andreasgreuter
Hi Franz,
That was a silly question about the HRX II. I’ve now found it in the catalogue.
But I’ve got another question about it: you say the HRX II offers the finest grain, but what about the sharpness?
25 years ago, when I was at photography school here in Munich, we worked wonders with the TX and Promicrol in terms of grain. Promicrol is apparently available again, but according to Mirco, it’s not as good as it used to be.
Hence my question about the 400 combination – which developer should I use?
Best regards, Andreas
cfb_de
Hi Andreas,
I’m initially happy with the sharpness of the HRX-II. As I said, 35mm up to 50x60 if needed. I’m not the only one who feels this way; you might want to ask Pillendreher or Hans-Ludwig (the old A49 man :-) in the parallel forum.
The days of the good old Atomale, D76, ID11 and A49 have actually been over for twenty years. Fine grain = mushy grain/out of focus is history. There have been some developments in the field of black-and-white developers, thanks in part to Moersch and Schain.
What Moersch achieves through his tremendous support, Schain achieves through his perfect data sheets. Their stuff works better ‘out of the box’ than the standard chemicals we’ve been used to for years.
Best regards,
Franz
andreasgreuter
Hi Franz,
Thanks again for your tips.
I’m particularly interested in 400 ASA, so I’ve gone ahead and ordered the HRX II today.
I’ll let you know how it goes,
Bye for now, Andreas
SamuliSchielke
Hi Andreas,
If a bit of grain doesn’t bother you, I agree with Franz and can highly recommend HP5 (or Adox CHM400) and Rodinal 1+50. It produces very nice tonal range, sharpness and detail, though the grain is noticeably more visible. I’ve made 30x40 prints with it, and they look great.
Personally, however, I’ve since switched to Neopan 1600 – if grain doesn’t bother you, it’s not a bad thing to have a bit more speed in return. For Neopan, though, I use ID-11 (or D-76). I’ve made exhibition prints on 30x40 and a wedding photo on 40x50. With the latter, however, the grain and the bride’s make-up didn’t really go together.
Have fun,
Samuli
piu58
I also use TMY and Ultrafin Plus in KB. They produce good grain and acceptable tonal range. However, I use the developer at a 1:6 dilution (36 ml to 250 ml, which is just enough for my tank), and as a single-use developer. This ensures consistent results.
huehnerhose
Hi,
I’ve just developed a roll of Neopan 400 in Diafine… set the Beli to 29/650 as a rough guide and performed extensive eye exposure… mainly during a band rehearsal, so just a few neon tubes in the room… the most wonderful rendering of shadows and highlights… so this developer really is something special… unfortunately, I’ve no idea how it performs in ‘normal’ lighting conditions; it might come out a bit soft there (though that’s by no means a bad thing)... I’ve only got available-light shots of the band rehearsal and New Year’s Eve party on the whole roll...
There’s already some grain... but significantly less than with 400 and Rodinal – which was my usual mix – I just really like a lot of grain :)
Cheers
Sebastian
andreasgreuter
Hi everyone,
@samuli
that’s exactly the point: grain really bothers me. I’m looking for the ultimate combination of 400 ASA film and developer in terms of grain and sharpness. And actually, 400 ASA is enough for me (although 800 wouldn’t be bad sometimes either)
Thanks a lot for your tips anyway!
@piu58
Ultrafin as a single-use developer obviously has its advantages (reproducibility). At a 1:4 dilution, it’s enough for 4 KB films. I actually get on quite well with it.
Thanks to you too!
@Sebastian
To be honest, Diafine doesn’t ring a bell at all. But if the Neopan 400 comes out better with it than with Rodinal, it would be worth a try. But as I said, I’d quite happily do without any grain if at all possible.
Thanks a lot anyway!
I’ve now ordered the HRX II and am going to give it a go with TMY 400. It looks quite promising in the spec sheet. I’m really looking forward to it and will let you know how it goes.
See you later and best wishes to all,
Andreas
huehnerhose
Hmm... well... I think the contrast is much lower than with Rodinal – I’ve also got a Neopan with A49 – whereas the contrast is stronger with that, but it’s also 2 DIN more....
You can find general information about Diafine in another thread here on the forum; that’s actually how I came across the developer – but unfortunately I had to buy it from another supplier, as Impex doesn’t (or didn’t?) stock it.
The massive advantage of Diafine for me is its shelf life; because of my studies, I hardly get to take any photos at all these days and only manage a maximum of one film every two months... so everything just goes off somehow... that’s why I actually only have Rodinal left – and now Diafine
Regards
