Developer for travel

A

awalkinthestreet

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I'm planning to make a 10 month trip and as I shoot only film I'm going to develop on the road. I won't be moving about much, normally staying in one place for 2-4 weeks at a time so will have a base to work from.

I plan to shoot only TRI-X and normally I dev in d76. However, mixing the powder could prove a bit difficult as I might not have access to a stove to heat the water. I'm happy with d76 as it works well for me with pushing to 1600, I like the contrast it offers.

I will also have the issue of sometimes having to develop at temps over 20oC, which d76 seems to do well, albeit with more contrast.

Are there any one shot liquid developers that can offer these same qualities as d76? (high temperatures, good contrast, good for pushing 1600)
 
I'd say HC110. Rodinal is the other obvious but it's not allowed on flights and doesn't like high temps.

HC110 would work really well I think!

Ben
 
bence8810 said:
I'd say HC110. Rodinal is the other obvious but it's not allowed on flights and doesn't like high temps.

HC110 would work really well I think!

Ben
Click to expand...

Can HC110 be taken on flights in checked luggage? I've never used it before either, is it as forgiving at d76? Or is precision required? As the temps will be varying quite a bit I probably can't be as accurate as normally when at home.

Also how is the grain with HC110 compared to d76?
 
awalkinthestreet said:
Can HC110 be taken on flights in checked luggage? I've never used it before either, is it as forgiving at d76? Or is precision required? As the temps will be varying quite a bit I probably can't be as accurate as normally when at home.

Also how is the grain with HC110 compared to d76?
Click to expand...

Yes HC110 can "fly".
I don't know much about it in detail though as I use Rodinal exclusively but from what I heard it is pretty similar to D76 just in liquid form. Also supposedly a very good push developer and gives higher speed than other developers.

Hope others can also chime in...

Ben
 
Ko.Fe. said:
You really need to check with airports and airlines if open and partially full containers are allowed.
Click to expand...

Any liquid that exceeds 100ml needs to be in the checked in luggage on international flights. As long as the OP checks it in, should be no trouble from what I know.

Ben
 
bence8810 said:
Any liquid that exceeds 100ml needs to be in the checked in luggage on international flights. As long as the OP checks it in, should be no trouble from what I know.

Ben
Click to expand...
"International" is too wide and inaccurate assumption.

Air Canada:
Liquids are accepted in checked baggage provided:
Their total capacity does not exceed 2 L or 2 kg (75 fl. oz.) per passenger.
The net capacity of each single item does not exceed 500 ml or 500 g (18 fl. oz).
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/baggage/security.html#0
 
Ko.Fe. said:
"International" is too wide and inaccurate assumption.

Air Canada:
Liquids are accepted in checked baggage provided:
Their total capacity does not exceed 2 L or 2 kg (75 fl. oz.) per passenger.
The net capacity of each single item does not exceed 500 ml or 500 g (18 fl. oz).
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/baggage/security.html#0
Click to expand...

I see what you mean - never heard this 500ml per single item. I often carry wine with me when I travel and never had this issue. A bottle of wine is often more than 500ml....

Best to get a smaller bottle of HC110 it seems! The dilution is so high, even a very small bottle of HC110 would last for quite a lot of rolls!

Ben
 
Ko.Fe. said:
I switched to HC-110 for all common bw films.
Currently with HP5+ @1200.
Developing temps are same as d-76, I believe.
https://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/j24/j24.pdf

You really need to check with airports and airlines if open and partially full containers are allowed.

How are going to fix it after developing while on travel?
Click to expand...

I'll use my normal fixer which is Ilford rapid fixer. As it can be mixed at room temp it won't be a problem. I'll probably just store it in a plastic bottle once mixed for the time I'm in one place then discard, make a new batch when I arrive at the new location. For stop I'll probably just wash instead to save carrything three bottles of chemicals around.

Also flying with the chemicals isn't necessary as the place I'm first visiting (bangkok) these chemicals are available. From there I will travel overland so it's not going to be a problem in that respect.
 
I suggested Sprint Developer based on what you were looking for, i.e., close to D76 in some qualities. Hc-110 is actually my developer of choice but it can never be mistaken for D76. HC-110 has Slightly less shadow detail; slightly finer grain; slightly lower acutance.

HC-110 does shine for pushing film.
 
HC-110 was formulated to render as close as possible to D-76 but be liquid. It can stand high processing temp plus be very stable before dilution if you mix from the direct syrup and it pushes very well with lots of contrast. It travels well, in a small glass bottle less than 250ml if placed in toiletries can be easily checked in. I think you should try some and see if this can fulfill your requirements.
 
HC-110 is very stable and the swiss army knife of developers in my opinion, as it works at a variety of dilutions. I used to use ID11/D76 and I see no loss of quality since switching to HC-110. It is capable of many looks, depending on dilution and agitation regime, from punchy high contrast, to smooth compensated developing. Decant a small bottle to take, as a little goes a very long way. Measure with a small medicine syringe for accuracy and wash out all the residue with water to make the final mix. Totally consistent and dependable developer.
 
I know it's not what you asked for, but have you thought about having your films developped locally?
As you're not flying much, you don't have the x-ray problem and my expirience is that films easily survive a few months in hot and humid places, so you can wait till you reach a place where there is the opportunity to have them developed properly. Maybe you can even store them cool if you stay in one place for a few weeks.
Just a thought.
Frank
 
Diafine if you can get it. No stop bath; fairly insensitive to time/temp. Doesn't work with all films, but it comes as a powder.

D
 
D-76 on the one hand is great for travelling since you can bring it as a powder.
But on the other hand, if you only take a part of the bag to mix the liquid, you might get a wrong formulation.
 
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