Ilford PanF Plus 50, recommended developer.

[Sid836]

I have acquired three 100ft cans of way long expired PanF. I have developed a first trial 36 frame roll of it in Rodinal. It has been shot under harsh noon light and thus I did a 1+50, 10.5 minute development to hold back contrast by just a bit.
The results where amazing. Great tonality, crystal clear base and none existent grain. Looked to me like it was less sharper than my HP5+ but closer inspection has proven that the HP5+ looked sharper due to its grain.
I have been developing films with rodinal for a year or more, and I would like to try now something different.
What developer is recommended for this film? Is there any other than rodinal that could provide even higher sharpness, but no additional grain?

 

[Black]

I would imagine that Ilford would have intended for most to use Perceptol with with the likes of Pan-F.

edit: Ilford recommends Perceptol. http://www.ilfordphoto.com/products/product.asp?n=59&t=film+developers

 

[Freakscene]

Beutler and the glycin based developers work well. Dilute Xtol works well but I found you need at least Kodak's recommended 100mL stock/roll for PanF+ and preferably more. I used to develop 2 rolls in a 1.5L tank of Xtol 1+2.

Under a microscope, TMX and Acros have finer grain. I still prefer PanF+'s tonality in many ways.

Marty

 

[Sid836]

Xtol sounds nice. I have more films that said to be excellent in it. I will try it. I am not sure if the stock solution lasts long, but after having enough of that never ending Rodinal, I will never stock anything that lasts forever. It is kind of boring.

About the dilution, does that 100ml stock/roll make it impossible to process a film in a small (500ml) tank?

 

[GarageBoy]

I've never used it. but Rodinol 1+50 is quite popular

 

[stompyq]

I love pan F+ in full sun developed in Diafine. However I have no intention of wet printing and scan all my work so I aim for full tonal range slightly lower contrast results. I've found that this combo is by far the best (especially in medium format) for shooting in harsh noon day light. If you want to see results you can check out my shots from the mermaid parade at my website

 

[bsdunek]

I use and love Microphen, but nothing wrong with the above advice either. I find with fresh film it can get pretty contrasty if over developed any, so I time carefully. Your old film may need a generous bit of development. I would try some on a non-important subject first just to find the 'groove'.

 

[Corran]

Shot at ASA 32 and semi-stand developed for an hour in Rodinal 1:100 has been brilliant for me, in 120 anyway.

 

[Freakscene]

About the dilution, does that 100ml stock/roll make it impossible to process a film in a small (500ml) tank?

No, it just means you need to dilute the Xtol 1+1 if you need to develop 2 rolls, or otherwise you can develop 1 roll at 1+2 or 1+3.

Marty