kansas_parker
Established
I was at the Tachikawa Bic Camera today getting supplies for an upcoming trip. While I'm gone (a hot, arid environment with less than adequate facilities for developing film) I was tinkering with the idea of a two-bath developer. The wide tolerance for temperature and time is attractive to me.
I picked up a packet of Copinal Microfilm developer because it says "two-part powder" on the front. Turns out that you are supposed to dissolve part A in warm water, then part B in the same batch of water. Does anyone know if I can use this as a true two-bath ala Diafine? Also, will this even work with traditional black and white? Unfortunately I don't have enough time to do any test rolls, hence this post.
I picked up a packet of Copinal Microfilm developer because it says "two-part powder" on the front. Turns out that you are supposed to dissolve part A in warm water, then part B in the same batch of water. Does anyone know if I can use this as a true two-bath ala Diafine? Also, will this even work with traditional black and white? Unfortunately I don't have enough time to do any test rolls, hence this post.
Freakscene
Obscure member
It's a document film developer.
>Does anyone know if I can use this as a true two-bath ala Diafine?
No, it won't work like that,
>Also, will this even work with traditional black and white?
It will develop the film, but these are usually formulated to deliver very high contrast and associated edge definition on document film / microfiche. You may be able to get normal-ish contrast out of it by varying the development time or dilution, but I don't know.
If you can get some regular developer (Xtol or D76 works) and borax, sodium carbonate (soda ash) or Kodalk, you can develop for ~3 min in stock developer followed by ~3 min in 1.5% alkali and get very nice results much like a two-part developer but without the push of Diafine.
http://leica-users.org/v13/msg12048.html
http://leica-users.org/v10/msg07140.html
Good luck.
Marty
>Does anyone know if I can use this as a true two-bath ala Diafine?
No, it won't work like that,
>Also, will this even work with traditional black and white?
It will develop the film, but these are usually formulated to deliver very high contrast and associated edge definition on document film / microfiche. You may be able to get normal-ish contrast out of it by varying the development time or dilution, but I don't know.
If you can get some regular developer (Xtol or D76 works) and borax, sodium carbonate (soda ash) or Kodalk, you can develop for ~3 min in stock developer followed by ~3 min in 1.5% alkali and get very nice results much like a two-part developer but without the push of Diafine.
http://leica-users.org/v13/msg12048.html
http://leica-users.org/v10/msg07140.html
Good luck.
Marty
kansas_parker
Established
Thanks for the reply! Looks like it's time for some experimentin'.