Fomadon R09 - different results

[LeicaFoReVer]

Hi Guys,

I previously used a rodinal variant (taken from a friend so I am not sure which one was it) and got great results with FP4. Fine, almost invisible grains, good sharpness and tonality.

Then I obtained fomadon and used it on FP4 but ended up with coarse and ugly grains. Not sure what the problem is. The film stayed in the camera long time over 6 months. Can this be a prblem?

I used the same developing method, 1+50, at 20 degrees and 12 minutes.

Here is an example of previous rodinal with FP4:

And this is with Fomadon and FP4:

Does exposure effect the grain size? Or Does Fomadon require different developing time?

Thanks in advance,
Aykut

 

[Photo_Smith]

Does exposure effect the grain size? Or Does Fomadon require different developing time?

Thanks in advance,
Aykut

Yes exposure is one of the key parts in keeping the appearance of grain low, as is development time.
The correct method of exposure places the darkest part that you wish to have detail into the toe of the film curve, do this by metering for emerging detail and stopping down two stops.
This simple method will make sure the grain size is low and you get the maximum efficiency from any given emulsion.

I have no experience with the Foma developer, mainly using Rodinal and Adinol with some R09 one shot. It used to be that the Foma was slightly different using a pre war formula-I think all the versions of European Rodinal come from the same factory in Vaihingen Enz.

That said looking at your posted images I don't think either one looks too bad, to really see what's going on look at the negatives side by side.

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

how about the developing time. Is 12 min ok? Does increasing time increase the grain size?

In the great dev. chart, it says 18 min for fomadon whereas 15 min for R09. Sounds kinda two much.

 

[Photo_Smith]

I can't say, 12 min sounds approximately right, possibly a little on the low side I think I use Rodinal 1:50 at 14-15 min in normal conditions rated at 125.
Increasing development time will develop the photolytic silver in proportion to exposure, that is the highlights will be OK after a few mins the mid tones then the shadows, the mid tones have the biggest effect on the perception of grain. Both over exposure (with N development) and overdevelopment (with N exposure) increase grain, the trick being to expose and develop the film to give the optimum efficiency.
Basically you want the minimum amount of development to give the tones you require, especially WRT the aforementioned shadow detail.

 

[Fotohuis]

Fomadon R09 changed in recept around 2007/2008 from the older Calbe R09 recept to above Rodinal/R09 recept. The older recept gave a tick more grain and could not be stored during a very long time.
In the mean time the CCP&S Rodinal/R09 production went over to Tetenal, Norderstedt Germany as far my information is going. As far as I know only Adox APH 09 is the old Calbe R09 recept and the rest is using Rodinal/R09 (Agfa) were Adox Adonal is also using it.
But the differences are very small of both para-Amino Phenol variants so normally big differences have to do with processing or the film.

 

[Vobluda]

Film spending 6 months in the camera could be the problem.