Fuji Prodol

[flip]

I had been using Xtol and Pyro earlier in the year, but Xtol requires overseas shipment, and my Pyro chemicals expired, so I decided to work more with what i have locally and what suits my speed of film use. I have switched to Rodinol where possible. Not keen on Rodinol for fomapan, I decided to try the Super Prodol. I thought I would share some results sicne I don't see much about this developer. All 1:1 @ 20C.

Presto 400 per box instructions

Super Presto 1600 also per box

Fomapan 200@100 for 4:30 (lucky guess)

 

[Nokton48]

Hi Flip,
I ordered two 1L, and 2 5L, packages of Fuji Super Prodol, from Dirk in Japan. Haven't used any of it yet, but it sure looks good with Presto 1600! Actually, that is why I got it, that stuff is tricky to develop properly.

 

[Luna]

I think Prodol gives you more contrast then the most of the other more commonly used developers. For this reason, I only use SPD.

 

[flip]

Luna,
When SPD starts to get old, does it drop off slowly or behave more like Xtol and just fail?

 

[kzphoto]

I have a long roll of Neopan 1600 I've been meaning to dive into. Is SPD the recommended developer for Neopan 1600? How's it fare in Acros 100?

 

[Maiku]

kzphoto,

Super Prodol is great for Fuji Neopan 1600, but would not use it with Acros. I have tried SPD with Acros. I disliked the results with the two rolls I developed. If you use anything with the Acros use Fuji Microphen. That is my experience.

Maiku

 

[flip]

Wow. Wish I had a long roll of 1600. *envy* It'd save some freezer space over the little boxes.

 

[flip]

kzphoto,

Super Prodol is great for Fuji Neopan 1600, but would not use it with Acros. I have tried SPD with Acros. I disliked the results with the two rolls I developed. If you use anything with the Acros use Fuji Microphen. That is my experience.

Maiku

Acros in Rodinal is also nice.

SPD being a speed enhancing developer - it might not be the best way to take advantage of Acros' inherently small grain. That said, the SPD bag lists times for developing Acros at 80 and 100. (ex. EI100, 1:1, 20C, 6:30)

 

[kzphoto]

Wow. Wish I had a long roll of 1600. *envy* It'd save some freezer space over the little boxes.

Someone sold a few at $50 a pop. I figured I could bulk load it and shoot it for a few months. Looks like it's time to start!

 

[kzphoto]

kzphoto,

Super Prodol is great for Fuji Neopan 1600, but would not use it with Acros. I have tried SPD with Acros. I disliked the results with the two rolls I developed. If you use anything with the Acros use Fuji Microphen. That is my experience.

Maiku

Does Fuji make a Microphen developer? I only see Ilford Microphen when I do some google searching....

 

[Maiku]

Kzphoto,

There is a Fujifilm Microphen. Perhaps, it is only sold in Japan. Here is a link to the Fujifilm Japan site. It indicates the name of the developer and the times required. Take a look. If you want I can buy some for you. It costs about 3.30 $ a packet.

http://fujifilm.jp/personal/filmandcamera/film/monochrome/condition.html

Maiku

 

[maddoc]

SPD and either Neopan 400 or Neopan 1600 are match in heaven but indeed on the high contrast side. SPD is dirt cheap.

XTOL is readily available at Yodobashi.

 

[flip]

SPD and either Neopan 400 or Neopan 1600 are match in heaven but indeed on the high contrast side. SPD is dirt cheap.

XTOL is readily available at Yodobashi.

And your choice is...?

To repeat my query to a knowing person - any idea how SPD ages?

 

[maddoc]

And your choice is...?

To repeat my query to a knowing person - any idea how SPD ages?

... my choices are HC-110 and Rodinal, both high concentrated liquids that have very long shell life as a concentrate, are used one shot and give best results with Tri-X, HP5+, FOMAPAN200 & 400, Neopan400 and 1600PR, ACROS100, TXP320.

SPD I have always used as one-shot and from memory the 1l solution had to be diluted 1:1 so it was 4 rolls of 1600PR in a MaSuKo tank (500ml). I also mixed once the 5 liter package and it lasted for ~ 20 rolls so two month shell life were OK.

The somewhat unpredictable shell life of a self-mixed developer solution using tap water of unknown quality is what I don`t like about powder developers, especially in summer when temperatures inside the apt go well above 35 degrees C.

 

[Luna]

Luna,
When SPD starts to get old, does it drop off slowly or behave more like Xtol and just fail?

I would argue that it does start to loose its speed (which is what it is for) and contrast range once you leave the bottle out and have the sun rays hitting it. Keep it cool and in the shade and it will last for a long time.

...but would not use it with Acros. I have tried SPD with Acros. I disliked the results with the two rolls...

Acros is fine grain so SPD will try to bring that grain out and this isn't the result that most people want when they shoot Acros (maybe it is too fast for Acros). But me, I love it! I want black blacks and white whites.
Crush Blacks, Clip Whites

 

[TheHub]

I developed Acros in Super-Prodol and loved the results. It came out as smooth as glass. I can dig up some examples if anyone is interested.

Presto 400 and Super-Presto 1600 were also beautiful. SPD is cheap, plentiful, and quick-acting at higher temperatures.

 

[flip]

I developed Acros in Super-Prodol and loved the results. It came out as smooth as glass. I can dig up some examples if anyone is interested.

Interested.😀

 

[Luna]

My 4x5 Acros was developed in SPD too. I have yet to scan them though.

 

[flip]

Having chosen not to dev my efke ir film in rodinol, I kinda wonder how it would be in SPD.