Neofin Blue.....anyone?

[Dave Wilkinson]

Recently got, by mail order, a pack of Tetenal Neofin Blue, I have processed my B+W's for forty years, but tho this brew has been around nearly as long as me, I have never got around to trying it yet!. In the coming week I intend to shoot some FP4+ to try in this soup, mainly street, architecture and candids.
I would appreciate any advice re, dev, time, agitation. film speed rating, etc., for what it's worth I'll probably be using an old f3.5 Elmar,....a little soft, - but nice! 🙂
I believe this should be good stuff for slow films?, - your views, please.

Regards, Dave.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Good luck! Did you google this Tetenal for some information? Here is what I found.

I'd like to try Rodinal myself... just for the sake of change, and change alone.

Again, good luck! 🙂

 

[aizan]

this is one of those developers i've never seen but sounds interesting. it's supposed to be beutler, right? that's what diane arbus used...

 

[Tom A]

The Neofine Blue is basically Beutler developer. They did some modifications to it, but I have tried it and could not really see much difference between my "home-brewed" Beutler. Is this the new Neofin Blue or is it the old version in glass tubes?
Cant remember the times for Neofin, but my FP4/FP4+ in Beutler is usually around 61/2 to 7 minutes (This is 1 part A/1 part B and 8 Parts of water). IF that is too contrasty, try 1A/1B/10 parts water. Beutler and Neofin are both sensitive to agitation so be gentle ( 1500 ml tanks/5 rolls 35mm) usually 30 sec intial "shake,rattle and roll" and a bang against the counter. Then 2 full inversions every 60sec.
Modern emulsions like Delta 100/Acros 100/Tmax 100 have a tendency to pick up spots or airbubbles so you might want to try a prewash (plain water for 80-120 sec prior to the run.
Always run a couple of test rolls before committing the important stuff to a new developer anyway.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Neofin Blue

Neofin Blue

Thanks Tom,.......and the other guys! - I've exposed six frames today, and shall do a 'clip test', before going any further, I'll let you know my findings in a week or so! 🙂

Dave

 

[WoolenMammoth]

Anyone have any luck finding this developer in the USA?

Is this developer particularly any more toxic/dangerous than the common hc110, d76, etc?

 

[Tom A]

The neofine Blue is virtually the same as the Beutler formula and it is a very easy formula to mix yourself - and that is much cheaper!
I use it extensively with slower films and occasionally with Tri X (though the grain is quite dominant then). Very sharp "edges" on 25/50/100 asa films. It was concocted by Willy Beutler for Leica to showcase the lenses and quality of 35 mm film.

 

[mr_phillip]

I use Neofin Blue (or Blau if you're of a Germanic persuasion) a lot. It's great with slower films and downright unbeatable with the ADOX/Efke single-layer emulsions. It's also great with Delta 100 and Acros (can't say I've had any issues with spots or bubbles either).

I've got a few example shots on Flickr.

 

[Freakscene]

>Is this developer particularly any more toxic/dangerous than the common hc110, >d76, etc?

No. The active developing agent is metol / 4-(methylamino)phenol sulfate, and the alkali is soda ash / sodium carbonate.

Metol is known for illiciting significant allergies in some people who are exposed to it. Get the MSDS for any developers or raw chemicals you might use and take sensible precautions.

Marty