Best 400ASA b/w film/developer combination for a novice.

Long shelf life and ease of use make Rodinal and HC110
excellent choices as developer for the occasional user.
They're the most economical, too! :)

Chris
 
Thanks everyone!

Just to summarise the suggestions--
Developers
Diafine 5
DDX 4
D76/ID11 9
XTOL 4
RODINAL 2
TMAX 1
HC110 3

Film(400)
AGFA 2
HP5+ 7
NEOPAN 3
TRI X 8
TMAX 1
DELTA 1
FOMA 1

Of course the combinations are legion,and it's great for me to research.The majority view seems to lie with HP5 and/or TRI X,combined with IDII and/or D76.

Cheers,
Brian.
 
Another vote for Neopan 400 (rated at 640) + Diafine. TriX + Diafine worked wonders for me, and also Fomapan 400 (rated at 800) + Diafine. Rating Neopan 400 at ISO 200 and pulling a stop in Microdol-X gives stunningly beautiful tones.
 
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Ilford Delta 400 and Ilford HC / HC110 first choice and second HP5 in HC / HC110. Since the change in Tri-X it's not even in the running.
 
I'd vote for HP5 and ID-11 1+1, very easy to process and HP5 is markedly cheaper than Tri-X these days so you can shoot and practice more.
 
Another film recommendation for HP5+.

If you are just starting, I'd recommend liquid developers such as HC-110 dilution B and DD-X. Both capable of delivering nice results.

One thing at a time; liquid for now so that you don't have to deal too many variables that can affect your results - problems such as mixing powder, storage, etc.
 
T_om said:
It is hard to find something better than Diafine and Tri-X

Tom
Click to expand...

Tom,
In view of the increase in speed,what speed would you recommend for Tri X.The Massive Dev Chart suggests 1600?

Brian.
 
Just rate it at 1000, 1600 I think will be too much. I don't know of any other developer which brings out details in TriX as crisply as Diafine, but then I've not tried too many.
 
dnemoc said:
Just rate it at 1000, 1600 I think will be too much. I don't know of any other developer which brings out details in TriX as crisply as Diafine, but then I've not tried too many.
Click to expand...

As most of my cameras are pretty basic FSU models,I was doubtful that they could rise to the occasion at 1600,so thanks for the benefit of your experience.
Cheers,
Brian.
 
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XRay,Toby,JL---
Thanks for the suggestions,as I mentioned initially,my brief experience some years ago was with Ilford materials,and I would feel good about supporting them again,quite apart from the excellent quality of the product.

Cheers,
Brian.
 
Brian,

I'd keep away from DD-X - the cheapest I've found it in the UK is £10.99 / bottle from Jessops (of all places). And it nominally mixes at 1+4.

I think the barrier will be just getting the first rolls done after a while away from this stuff.

I'd recommend Ilfosol S (£2.49/250ml) from Jessops and some HP5+ - it is very resistant to clumsy developing.

Once this hurdle is gamboled you can get stuck into ...

... this is why you shouldn't listen to people in the internet so much :) I've changed my mind and gone for Agfa 400 and Diafine - eeek (for ease, mind)
 
kully said:
Brian,

I'd keep away from DD-X - the cheapest I've found it in the UK is £10.99 / bottle from Jessops (of all places). And it nominally mixes at 1+4.

I think the barrier will be just getting the first rolls done after a while away from this stuff.

I'd recommend Ilfosol S (£2.49/250ml) from Jessops and some HP5+ - it is very resistant to clumsy developing.

Once this hurdle is gamboled you can get stuck into ...

... this is why you shouldn't listen to people in the internet so much :) I've changed my mind and gone for Agfa 400 and Diafine - eeek (for ease, mind)
Click to expand...

Hi Kully,
I sort of expected a varied response from everyone on this---but coping pretty well,and not too confused.:)
I will be keeping it as simple as pos. as you suggest.It will be HP5 OR Agfa as avilable,plus as straightforward and predictable a developer as possible.

I haven't darkened the door of Jessops for quite a while---I must have a look--no sense in paying for postage if avoidable.Also we do still have one more traditional camera shop left here,and they should be supported as much as possible if I can.

Hope the clear out is edging you towards that bike!

Brian.
 
IME Xtol is very good with Tri-X, Neopan 400, Neopan 1600, Acros, HP5+, FP4+, and Pan F. Tri-X in Xtol 1+1 rated at whatever speed is suitable for the conditions, using the times given in the Massive Dev Chart, is a good place to start.

Ian
 
After a lot of thought,just ordered some LC29,plus some HP5+.

If I get stuck,I know where to come for help.:)

Brian.
 
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