Diafine in the UK and Worldwide

[Pete B]

What's the deal with Diafine? Has it been discontinued or is it available worldwide excepting the UK? Honestly, it would be easier to source Class A drugs in the UK than it would Diafine. Has anyone tried Tri-X in Crystal Meth?
Pete

 

[Photo_Smith]

Have you tried here?
http://www.ag-photographic.co.uk/diafine-38l--1usgal-1774-p.asp

First place I tried 😉 On reflection the class A drugs are cheaper and you know you need a 'fix' as well 🙂

 

[Pete B]

Yes, you'll see that they say they're awaiting supplies, and that's been the case for getting on for 2 years. :-(
Pete

 

[alienmeatsack]

I ran into the same situation a while back trying to find a place that had Diafine in Canada for a friend who was looking for some and new to B/W developing. They ended up having to get some D76.

At one point someone told me they got theirs overseas from Macodirect but they appear to also be out of stock. And I am fairly certain that none of the US distributors will ship it overseas due to the import restrictions.

Have you tried finding a camera place somewhere in your area that has it possibly or can get it? Even if you have to make a 3 hour trip to stock up on it, it would be worth it for a few quart or gallon mixes of it.

 

[Tijmendal]

http://www.fotoimpex.de/shopen/chemistry/diafine-two-bath-powder-developer-to-make-2-x-38-liter.html

You're welcome. I have had a tab with that page open for the last 2 months, but - being a college student - I can't afford it, soon hopefully. Feel free to donate me some 😉

 

[Pete B]

Oh, thank you very much. It is expensive but I do like the results. I hope I don't use up all the B solution thinking it was fixer like I did last time 😱
Pete

 

[wintoid]

I ended up importing mine from the states. I took a one-off hit on customs etc, but now I have enough Diafine to last a lifetime... or at least 10 years.

 

[WJJ3]

whats your experience been with diafine? I used it with TriX for about a year and consistently got uneven development in large monotone sections like sky. I eventually gave up on it...

 

[Schlapp]

Is this a Stoecklers varient?

 

[Turtle]

Are you not able to use something else in lieu? I've never seen Diafine available in the UK.

Is it the speed or specific look you are after?

Microphen,DDX and Xtol are possible alternatives if you want speed, although with a very possibly different look.

Over the years I've found myself much less worried about which developer and which film I use. It hasn't done my work any harm!

 

[Pete B]

I just thought I'd have a bash with it again. I've been using D76. I was looking through some old photos and remembered how carefree it seemed. I plan to play with a few developers over the next few months with no particular aim.
Pete

 

[Turtle]

Pete,

If you want carefree, may I suggest Xtol 1+1, +2 or +3?

Put it in brown glass bottles with a good seal and it lasts for ages. Totally bulletproof for developing, especially 1+2 and +3.

Contrary to popular belief it lasts ages. I've used it countless times over the years at 3-6 months old. Even 2 months in partially full bottles was no problem.

None of the pH cycling of D76/ID-11 on the shelf. Reduce agitation a little and you just aren't going to blow those highlights with dilute Xtol. It also gives box speed, easily and a good 1/2 to 2/3 stop over D76.

 

[Pete B]

I didn't realise that X-Tol is more stable than D76. I bought loads of D76 a while back, and intend to try X-Tol when it's used up, thanks.
Pete

 

[Turtle]

I should clarify, put the stock solution in sealed bottles and only dilute for use.

Oh, yes. It is super stable and never let me down. Even with the very high contrast I'd sometimes encounter in Afghanistan, it handles highlights very gracefully. I cannot think of a better all round standard developer and at 1+2 and 1+2 is is in no way soft.

I also started mixing it (1+3) with Rodinal 1+100 for some films and, combined, it is the best developer I have ever used for slow films, bar none. Does amazing things with D100, APX100, Foma 100... takes a few tests to sort out development times, but boy what a combo! None of the brittleness of rodinal negs when heavily enlarged (very crystalline grain) and moire bite than Xtol alone. I found that very fine grains really benefitted from teh extra acutance that the Rodinal brought to the party. Two developers = three options and both will be around for ages. If Xtol disappears you can always make your own Mytol and Foma makes a Rodinal equivalent. This gives you redundancy.

 

[RichyD]

Pete, I bought some from MrCad about 18months ago but it was the last they had. It is the gallon pack and I only wanted the quart size so still have the pack and can't see myself using it. So if you are interested you are welcome to buy it from me for what it cost. Send me a private message if interested.
Richard