Neopan 100SS developing tips?

[schow]

Hello RFF'ers,
According to the massive developing chart, there are a number of options when developing 100SS in D76 from a stock solution to 1+1 to 1+3.

My main question is:
which if any of these concentrations will result in the finest grain?

My follow up question:
What is the purpose of diluting developers besides saving on costs? Is there a visible difference (midtones, shadows, highlights, grain, etc.) in the negatives?

Thank you all!
Sherman

 

[EmilGil]

The lower the dilution, the less pronounced grain. Stock D76 will give even less grain than 1+1 (but I don't know if you can tell without a microscope).

One big reason for one-shot usage is consistency, if you use stock solution you will have to increase the time slightly for every roll you put through it. IIRC, you decrease the risk of blown highlights as you dilute the developer (as there is less of the active developer substances available at any time on a given area).