Agfa Copex Rapid: experiences?

[Murray Kelly]

Jan, I have taken your recommendation and ordered some SPUR UR from maco. I have a bunch of Imagelink HQ as well as the (old) Copex Rapid so it will get a good workout.
Thanks
Murray

 

[HHPhoto]

Jan, I have taken your recommendation and ordered some SPUR UR from maco. I have a bunch of Imagelink HQ as well as the (old) Copex Rapid so it will get a good workout.
Thanks
Murray

Hi Murray,

the Spur Modular UR New developer is designed and optimised for the Agfa Copex Rapid film.

For Kodak Imagelink microfilm Spur is offering a dedicated developer, Spur Imagespeed. http://www.spur-photo.com/

I don't know whether you get satisfying results if you use Modular UR New with Kodak Imagelink. I've never tested this combination.
Most probably you will get the best results by using the dedicated developers for these films.

Cheers, Jan

 

[robklurfield]

Let me stipulate that I am a complete cheapskate whenever possible. With that out of the way, I shot my first roll of Copex Rapid last week and, contrary to all the good advice here, I developed it in Rodinal. Why? Well, at $34.95 for a 250ml/125ml Part A/Part B kit at Freestyle that will process what five rolls ... ten at most of Copex Rapid, I just focused on skinflint attitude about spending money.

I wasn't expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised. I can't say delighted, but at least the results weren't horrifyingly bad. Nothing ruined beyond scan-ability.

I am not careful with temperatures. If I can get close to 20 deg C, great. If not, I push ahead anyway. I know, I know. That's just a terrible practice.

These were shot with a Nikon S2/Nikkor 50/1.4. They were souped in Rodinal 1+50 for about (yeah, I'm not all that precise about timing either when the cycles are more than 5 or 6 minutes) 18 minutes semi-stand. Scanned with an Epson V700 using Epson's software. (I'm not too careful there either.)

 

[robklurfield]

 

[HHPhoto]

Let me stipulate that I am a complete cheapskate whenever possible. With that out of the way, I shot my first roll of Copex Rapid last week and, contrary to all the good advice here, I developed it in Rodinal. Why? Well, at $34.95 for a 250ml/125ml Part A/Part B kit at Freestyle that will process what five rolls ... ten at most of Copex Rapid, I just focused on skinflint attitude about spending money.

I wasn't expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised. I can't say delighted, but at least the results weren't horrifyingly bad. Nothing ruined beyond scan-ability.

Well, it is not surprising that you get not so bad results.
It is well known that this film can be developed in Rodinal.
With 1+50 the contrast is very high, with 1+100 or 1+150 you get less contrast.
By far the best results with normal contrast, excellent tonality, optimal characteristic curve and highest speed of ISO 32/16° to 40/17° you get with Spur Modular UR New.
By far the best developer for this film.

And it is the cheapest option concerning quality: With this film - developer combination you get medium format quality with 35mm film. But you have 40-50% less cost per shot compared to shooting medium format Fp4+ or RPX 100.
You can also lower your cost significantly by using the cheaper bigger bottles.

Another excellent option: Using this film as BW slide film, developed in the Agfa Scala reversal process by www.photostudio13.de
You get BW slides with very good tonality, medium contrast and absolutely outstanding resolution and sharpness.
ISO 64/19° for 35mm film, and ISO 80/20° for 120 film.

Cheers, Jan

 

[hiend61]

Hello all from Salamanca, Spain.

This is my first post in this forum. I have been following this conversation bout Agfa Copex, and after reading your comments I have a couple of questions.

1,- Is Spur Modular a one shot developer?
2,- Is Rollei ATP 1.1 a similar film?. It seems it has more or less the same properties.

My intention is to use this film for 6x12 shots with my large format camera
(Sinar P2+Rodenstock lenses)

Best.

 

[hiend61]

Hello all from Salamanca, Spain.
This is my first post in this forum. I have been following your conversation about Agfa Copex and I have a couple of questions:
1,- Is Spur Modular a one shot developer?
2,- Is Rollei ATP 1.1 a similar film?. It seems it has same properties.
My intention is to use this film in 120 format to make 6x12 shots with my view camera
(Sinar P2+Rodenstock lenses), and send the negs to drum scan by Tim Parkin.
Thanks XFer and HHPhoto, I have learnt a lot from your comments.

 

[HHPhoto]

Hello all from Salamanca, Spain.
This is my first post in this forum. I have been following your conversation about Agfa Copex and I have a couple of questions:
1,- Is Spur Modular a one shot developer?
2,- Is Rollei ATP 1.1 a similar film?. It seems it has same properties.
My intention is to use this film in 120 format to make 6x12 shots with my view camera
(Sinar P2+Rodenstock lenses), and send the negs to drum scan by Tim Parkin.
Thanks XFer and HHPhoto, I have learnt a lot from your comments.

Hi,

1. Yes, Spur Modular UR New is a one shot developer.
2. No, ATP 1.1 is not a similar film.
ATP is sound film for sound tracks in movie film, and it is super-panchromatic with extended red sensivity.
The characteristic curve of this film is worse compared to Agfa Copex Rapid, and it has siginificantly less speed.
Agfa Copex Rapid is microfilm for photographic purposes, panchromatic, and delivers an excellent characteristic curve in combination with Spur Modular UR New developer. And much higher effective speed.

Cheers, Jan

 

[hiend61]

Thanks for the info. I'll order it from Macodirect and I'll run a try. Hope not having film register problems due to the thinner film.
Best

 

[hiend61]

In the instruction sheet of Agfa Copex and Spur Modular apear different mixing proportions of Spur modular part A and B depending if the enlarger to use is a diffuser or condenser one. I want to drum scan the negatives and I don´t know which proportion is the right one, the one recommended for condenser or the one for diffuser enlargers. Any help and experiences?
Thanks.

 

[HHPhoto]

In the instruction sheet of Agfa Copex and Spur Modular apear different mixing proportions of Spur modular part A and B depending if the enlarger to use is a diffuser or condenser one. I want to drum scan the negatives and I don´t know which proportion is the right one, the one recommended for condenser or the one for diffuser enlargers. Any help and experiences?
Thanks.

I would go for times of the condenser.

Cheers, Jan

 

[hiend61]

It seems i'll have to wait to run a test. Macodirect seems to have Agfa Copex in 120 format out of stock.

 

[Fotohuis]

Just busy with a test on ATP1.1 E.I. 20 and RLC 1+5. I am doing a test Jupiter-8 J-12 against some Leica optics.

 

[Jockos]

SPUR Acurol N

SPUR Acurol N

Did anyone try this with SPUR Acurol N?

I'd like to try some micro film this summer, but at the low rate I'm currently consuming film (due to work and long commute), I'll need a developer that can last a while after opened..

 

[HHPhoto]

Did anyone try this with SPUR Acurol N?

Yes, but I would not recommend it.
The dedicated Spur Developer Modular UR New is much better in every respect for Agfa Copex Rapid.

I'd like to try some micro film this summer, but at the low rate I'm currently consuming film (due to work and long commute), I'll need a developer that can last a while after opened..

Spur Modular UR New has a shelf life of 2-3 years if you fill it in a glass bottle (that is also recommended by the manufacturer).
Problem solved, just go with this original developer and store it in a glass bottle.

Cheers, Jan

 

[Jockos]

Spur Modular UR New has a shelf life of 2-3 years if you fill it in a glass bottle (that is also recommended by the manufacturer).
Problem solved, just go with this original developer and store it in a glass bottle.

Cheers, Jan

I read that to, but once opened it will oxidize fast as hell if the bottle aint full and cooled right? I'm currently renting a room at an old ladies place, so I can't store the opened bottles in the fridge either; that's why I as thinking of the Acurol.
I contacted the SPUR team after posting here, they gave me the same answer basically..

 

[HHPhoto]

I read that to, but once opened it will oxidize fast as hell if the bottle aint full and cooled right?

It isn't different from any other developer in this respect. All developers will oxidize if the bottle is not full.
But it is so easy to avoid oxidizing in half-filled bottles:
- most easy way is using Tetenal Protectan protection gas; I am using it for about 30 years now with excellent results; using Protectan is like having a complete full bottle.
And it lasts extremely long: I am using a Protectan bottle for at least 6-7 years before it is empty. Therefore using Protectan is also extremely cheap.
- you also could use marbles in a bottle.

Cheers, Jan

 

[Fernando2]

I've used my 2 rolls of Copex Rapid, getting outstanding results.

Now: I was in the process of ordering more rolls, but I've found that all online sellers (MacoDirect etc.) have rolls expiring on March, 2014.

I'm a bit concerned, because:

1) I would have liked to purchase many rolls (to get better price and to better justify high shipping costs) and use them throughout the year, but I won't purchase many rolls if the expiry date is so soon

2) I'm afraid Agfa Gevaert may have suspended production of this film? Why no fresher stocks? Anyone has insides from Maco (who repackages Agfa Copex in rolls and distribute them)?

Thanks.

Now that I discovered Agfa Copex Rapid, I want to use it forever; it's too good. 🙂

Fernando

 

[HHPhoto]

Fernando,

don't worry. The film is in continuing production at Agfa in Belgium.
But the distribution is changing now for the Agfa microfilms. Distribution is now made by Imagelink Micrographics.

Maco still has stock. When stock is depleted, they will do another finishing run of 135 and 120 films.
As you know, expiry dates of low speed film are not critical, so the 03/2014 Agfa Copex Rapid will be fine.
Buy it and use as you have done before and be happy.
It is just that simple.
And yes, I completely agree, this film is outstanding.

Cheers, Jan

 

[Fernando2]

Thank you Jan.
Since I store film in a refrigerator at 4°C, I guess I may use the 03/2014 Copex throughout the whole 2014 then.
Good news they still produce fresh Copex. That film is in another league entirely, never seen anything like that; I could not believe my own eyes!