Ilfotec DD-X developer

colyn

colyn

ישו משיח
Local time
10:25 AM
Joined
May 31, 2006
Messages
4,531
Location
CowTown, Texas
View My Gallery
I have used D-76 and HC110 for years but recently bought some Ilfotec DD-X developer. The bottle is 1 liter which is used to make 5 liters.

Do I mix the entire bottle with water to make 5 liters or do I mix per one shot developer?
 
Hi Colyn,
I mix per one shot of developer for Delta 400 and then squeeze out the air if it's going to be sitting for awhile.
 
MikeL said:
Hi Colyn,
I mix per one shot of developer for Delta 400 and then squeeze out the air if it's going to be sitting for awhile.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick answer.

That's how I did it with HC110 and I wanted to do it with DD-X.
 
I use it one shot too. 1:4 as the bottle suggests and 1:8 doing the time at 125-150% of 1:4 times. So far I like it. Is expensive though and not sure how much better it is than D-76 frankly.
 
I like DD-X with Delta 400 over D76, but I've been happy with D76 with Delta 100. I've never tried it at 1+8 though. If enough light is available, I really like Delta 100 and D76 (1+1)
 
I want to try it with Delta 3200, SFX 200, and HP5. I've souped HP5 in D-76 and HC110 and want to see how they compare..
 
MikeL said:
I like DD-X with Delta 400 over D76, but I've been happy with D76 with Delta 100. I've never tried it at 1+8 though. If enough light is available, I really like Delta 100 and D76 (1+1)
Click to expand...

Hi Mike,

I don't shoot much Delta 400 but remember not being particularly pleased with it in D-76. I L-O-V-E Delta 100 in D-76 1-1:

143858750_a7dd0f7bea_o.jpg
 
colyn said:
I want to try it with Delta 3200, SFX 200, and HP5. I've souped HP5 in D-76 and HC110 and want to see how they compare..
Click to expand...

Let me know how the SFX200 does in it. I have a roll in my Contax G2 that I've almost finished and was considering D-76 but saw some great shots in another thread where they used DD-X. I asked for his times and temps but he has not replied...
 
I've found DD-X works quite nicely with just about everything using Ilford's suggested times.
If you run across some APX400, it's particularly good in DD-X.
2161756322_eba28a7ed6_o.jpg

Silvertone (APX) 400 in Ilfotec DD-X
 
Last edited:
I won't ever use anything but DDX again for Delta 3200 - it's that good. DDX is OK for Neopan 1600 but I'm playing around with times - the suggested time on the MDC seems to give a pretty compressed tonal range. I like it with Delta 400 and HP5+ but Ilfosol-S is also really smooth with these films.
 
Bach, I only use DDX for HP5 when I'm pushing it to 800 and 1600 (it's too expensive otherwise, I prefer D76 for HP5@400).

I don't invert, I twirl the knob to spin the spirals for 10 seconds in each minute.
 
Yes it is one shot, prepare just what you need.
HOWEVER you can extend it by developing several films in one session (within a few hours)
There are instructions on the side of the bottle

I used to have 6 or 10 rolls ready to dev but I have only 2 tanks (2x35 or 1x120) but plenty of spirals.

So I used to prepare 1l of DDX 1+4 (200 ml)
then develop 1st tank, fix, and wash
then 2nd tank, fix and wash
for 3rd tank add 10% of original time, fix and wash
for 4th tank add 20% of original time, fix and wash
and so forth

That way it becomes cheaper and the results are very consistent.
You can always develop the most demanding film (fast) first and the slower later.

To DC Sang
Several years ago I had a discussion with D.carper from Ilford USA
DDX is definitlely NOT a liquid D76, but a product based on ILFORD DD (Dip and Dunk) developer.
It was aimed at home users who like to obtain the highest speed with small grain
From my limited experience it performs wonders with Delta 3200 and it is unbeatable for Neopan 400 and HP5. Delta400 gives good results, even though it is not my cup of tea.
Neopan 1600 works fine in this combo,

With slower films such as APX100, EFKE 100, Acros and others produces high quality image but the gain is less than in faster films. DDX can be used at 1+9 with no adverse effects.

SFX200 can give a long tonal range if developed 1+9 with ilford times.

I have no scanner unfoirtunately and the pcitures I have are photos of negatives inverted in the PC
 
Last edited:
This is what Covington on his Xtol Site says about DD-X:





An Alternative to Xtol?

Because the 1-liter packets have been discontinued, Xtol is not as convenient to use as it used to be. Many photographers are switching to Ilford Ilfotec DD-X as an alternative. Reportedly, Ilfotec DD-X has many of the same desirable properties - fine grain, full speed, and good shadow detail without excessive highlight density. It is a conventional formula using Phenidone and hydroquinone as its developing agents. Kodak T-Max Developer has a somewhat similar formula but is much more active, producing excessive highlight density when films are slightly overdeveloped.
Like Kodak HC-110, Ilfotec DD-X is a glycol-based liquid concentrate with excellent keeping properties. (It is not as syrupy as HC-110.) At the recommended 1:4 dilution, Ilfotec DD-X is relatively expensive, but some photographers are using it diluted 1:9 with development times about 70% longer. I'm going by published reports here; I haven't tried Ilfotec DD-X myself.
 
Anyone tried developing TriX pushed to 1600 with DDX (1:4)?

Is DDX dilution similar to other developers in that higher dilution gives greater acutance and larger grain?

Thanks,
Paul
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
DD-X Yellow?
Replies
8
Views
1K
SWB
S
M
Metallic Sheen on B&W Negs
Replies
13
Views
915
titrisol
titrisol
I
Questions on using powder developers and replenishers
Replies
15
Views
1K
Freakscene
Freakscene
P
Kodak Photo Flo life
Replies
16
Views
1K
Freakscene
Freakscene
O
a mystery stain
Replies
2
Views
460
OmegaB600
O
Back
Top Bottom