APX and Rodinal

[Juan Valdenebro]

Hi,

Has anyone developed a flat contrast scene with Rodinal for Agfa's APX100?

I'm wondering for how long could this film tolerate Rodinal 1:50 to get a boost in contrast. I don't care for speed loss with Rodinal, I just need to bring some high grays closer to highlights...

For direct sun I usually develop for 12 minutes with normal agitation, so I'm looking for experiences from forum members around 15,18,20 minutes... Maybe some images? They don't have to be nice photographs, a simple test would be as helpful as a real shot...

Thanks!

 

[Trius]

If it's really flat, I would try 1:25 before trying to extend development in 1:50.

 

[charjohncarter]

I haven't done it with your film but I really like Rodinal ('I do it my way') with flat scenes. This is Tmax400 at 200, Rodinal 1+50, 12.5 minutes, 30 seconds initial agiation, then 3 inversions at 8 and 4 minutes. I used an auto everything SLR, this one I've posted recently, it was in overcast and fog:

 

[ed1k]

I don't know if this is what you want... It was an overcast day but quite picturesque old buildings of the U of T. Sort of hungry development of APX100 in Rodinal to give a burst of the details in order to give a visible contrast.




Edit: to be more specific, it was 1 ml of Agfa Rodinal plus 200 ml of water, APX100 135-36 on spool in a aprox 420ml tank that was put on the side in the way that half of spool with film was under developer and half in the air and rotated constantly for about 37 minutes.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Thank you all! And nice shots for a flat day!

Trius, I have set all my films to Rodinal 1:50, and I wanted to remain like that, but... What the hell! Film deserves what it needs! I'll take your advice and start setting all my films times for flat scenes with 1:25. I had the sensation that most films don't answer too much to longer times with 1:50, so now I see a light... Thanks a lot!

 

[mr_phillip]

Hi Juan

I just replied to your PM on this combo, but thought I'd repeat the info here for general reference.

In subdued light I prefer to rate the film at 125asa and develop it in 1+50 for 17 minutes. I also use 1+25 at 8 minutes, which gives a slightly higher contrast look with a bit more grain. I tend more towards the 1+50 look, but it depends on the subject really. This shot is from 1+25:



BTW, sorry to take so long to reply to your PM – I need to check my junk mail folders more frequently.

Ian

 

[Trius]

Juan,

You are welcome. My experience is that one of Rodinal's strenghrs us contrast control through dilution. There is nothing preventing one from using other dilutions, e.g. 1:40, 1:75, etc.

Also, I have found that many films, if not most, have the same development time for a particular dilution. For example, at 1:100 Tri-X, TMax, APX and Pan F+ are at 20 minutes for me. That is very useful.

Cheers,

Earl

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Hi Juan

I just replied to your PM on this combo, but thought I'd repeat the info here for general reference.

In subdued light I prefer to rate the film at 125asa and develop it in 1+50 for 17 minutes. I also use 1+25 at 8 minutes, which gives a slightly higher contrast look with a bit more grain. I tend more towards the 1+50 look, but it depends on the subject really. This shot is from 1+25:



BTW, sorry to take so long to reply to your PM – I need to check my junk mail folders more frequently.

Ian

Soooooooo beautiful!

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Juan,

You are welcome. My experience is that one of Rodinal's strenghrs us contrast control through dilution. There is nothing preventing one from using other dilutions, e.g. 1:40, 1:75, etc.

Also, I have found that many films, if not most, have the same development time for a particular dilution. For example, at 1:100 Tri-X, TMax, APX and Pan F+ are at 20 minutes for me. That is very useful.

Cheers,

Earl

I totally agree with you! Rodinal gives a clear tonal gradation, and it allows us to see the real film and grain, AND those patterns we start to find in its times, makes working with it A BREEZE!