burancap
Veteran
Hi all,
I returned to the darkroom a few years ago after nearly 25 years. To get my feet wet again, I went for simplicity and have been using the liquid Ilford trio for my developing.
Nothing really wrong, nor any real disappointments, but I am looking for something with a bit more shelf life (as in A LOT more shelf life)!
I shoot a lot of different film, but mostly Ilford and Kodak. I have an abundance of Arista at present. I will shoot anything from 25-3200. When my local C41 shop dries up, I may run that too as B&W. I am looking for a sort of "one size fits all" developer, stop, and fixer for low volume (3-5 at a time), "weekend kitchen" type of developing. I prefer liquid. Type of results: I am all over the place ... sometimes I like clinical, other times grain. I just want simple and durable!
Thanks in advance!
I returned to the darkroom a few years ago after nearly 25 years. To get my feet wet again, I went for simplicity and have been using the liquid Ilford trio for my developing.
Nothing really wrong, nor any real disappointments, but I am looking for something with a bit more shelf life (as in A LOT more shelf life)!
I shoot a lot of different film, but mostly Ilford and Kodak. I have an abundance of Arista at present. I will shoot anything from 25-3200. When my local C41 shop dries up, I may run that too as B&W. I am looking for a sort of "one size fits all" developer, stop, and fixer for low volume (3-5 at a time), "weekend kitchen" type of developing. I prefer liquid. Type of results: I am all over the place ... sometimes I like clinical, other times grain. I just want simple and durable!
Thanks in advance!
Peter_S
Peter_S
Not sure you can get it where you live - but Tetenal Ultrafin T-Plus may fit your bill. Works with a lot of developers, long shelf life (6 months for opened bottle). http://www.fotoimpex.de/shop/images/products/media/44755_4_Produktbroschuere.pdf
Else - good old HC-110, especially if you shoot more traditional films.
Else - good old HC-110, especially if you shoot more traditional films.
Corran
Well-known
Acufine! It's great developer.
KevinVH
Nikonian!
Well I know you're looking for something liquid, but I've been doing everything with D76 for almost 2 years now, and like you I've shot from 25-3200 and it handled everything good. Shelf life for me has been around 6 months once cooked up.. I usually make 3 liters and develop everything in those 6 months with the same developer. if I would have to guess I've been doing around 20-30 films maximum with 3 liters, without any real change in developing time..
f16sunshine
Moderator
Hi Jeff
Try Tmax developer. I mix a half gallon bottle at 1:4 (12.8 Oz mix plus water to reach 64 Oz total).
The mix last for months and can be re-used for 15 rolls before adding additional developing time for out to 20-25 rolls.
Check the MDC for different films and times.
It's been great with just about everything.
I've tried it with 50-1600 for tmax, hp5, and tri-x.
Box speed for Acros, Neopan SS, and plus x.
Holding back tri-x and HP5 to 100 with Tmax dev gives a nice sharp neg with a sparkle to the grain I really like.
Cheers!
Here are 2 HP5@1600 tmax dev ... 9.5 mins @20c scanned with epson V700 so the grain is bubbly liking ... sorry
And tri-x at 200 7mins at 20C (same time/temp I use for 400)
Try Tmax developer. I mix a half gallon bottle at 1:4 (12.8 Oz mix plus water to reach 64 Oz total).
The mix last for months and can be re-used for 15 rolls before adding additional developing time for out to 20-25 rolls.
Check the MDC for different films and times.
It's been great with just about everything.
I've tried it with 50-1600 for tmax, hp5, and tri-x.
Box speed for Acros, Neopan SS, and plus x.
Holding back tri-x and HP5 to 100 with Tmax dev gives a nice sharp neg with a sparkle to the grain I really like.
Cheers!
Here are 2 HP5@1600 tmax dev ... 9.5 mins @20c scanned with epson V700 so the grain is bubbly liking ... sorry
And tri-x at 200 7mins at 20C (same time/temp I use for 400)
oftheherd
Veteran
Rodinal is another that seems last forever. But some think the grain is objectionalble.
stompyq
Well-known
Diafine. Mix the powders once and the stocks last forever. Plus no mucking around with a thermometer
mfogiel
Veteran
One versatile developer is HC 110. If you scan, and don't mind flatter negatives, Diafine can be a good choice - make sure you agitate every 30 sec to avoid streaking, and dilute stock for double the tank capacity, as over time you need to add, particularly solution A.
A newer option would be the Spur HCD pull and push developer.
A newer option would be the Spur HCD pull and push developer.
Fotohuis
Well-known
R09/Rodinal for the medium and slow speed films and HC-110 for medium and high speed films. The lifetime of Rodinal is over 10 years and HC-110 3-4 years depending if you refilling in smaller glass bottles. For both developers you need a syringe of 10ml for an easy dose. Most popular dilutions for Rodinal is 1+50 and for HC-110 dilution B (1+31) or H (1+63). If you want a real semi-compensating type developer with a longer lifetime you can try the new Rollei Supergrain (dilutions 1+7 till 1+15 (1+19 in rotary) ) very easy in use and quickly good results and large Grey tones even on regular box speed. Made by SPUR for Rollei-Maco. Replacement for the in Europe very popular AM74 from Amaloco Photochemicals which factory closed in 2008.
Steve M.
Veteran
Acufine or Rodinal. You can replenish the Acufine, the Rodinal will last forever on it's own. They give totally different looks too. If you're going to use a one shot developer like Rodinal then shelf life is not so crucial an issue.
I like D76, but not the shelf life aspect, so I use TD-16 from Phorographers' Formulary. Unfortunately, it is a powder and you like liquids. It's supposed to last 6 months after you mix up your stock solution.
I would suggest playing around w/ some developers before making any big decisions. It's amazing how different you can get the negs to look by varying your developer and/or agitation schemes, even w/ the same film.
I like D76, but not the shelf life aspect, so I use TD-16 from Phorographers' Formulary. Unfortunately, it is a powder and you like liquids. It's supposed to last 6 months after you mix up your stock solution.
I would suggest playing around w/ some developers before making any big decisions. It's amazing how different you can get the negs to look by varying your developer and/or agitation schemes, even w/ the same film.
De_Corday
Eternal Student
I love my Rodinal, but its an acquired taste with HP5+ or Tri-X (It's a little friendlier to Tri-X, IMHO).
FP4+ @100 in Rodinal 1+25:
Tri-X @320 (expired, so a little grainy to start) in Rodinal 1+50:
HP5+ @400 in Rodinal 1+50:
FP4+ @100 in Rodinal 1+25:
Tri-X @320 (expired, so a little grainy to start) in Rodinal 1+50:
HP5+ @400 in Rodinal 1+50:
burancap
Veteran
Thanks everybody! Lots to digest here! I am surprised by the diversity as I thought it would possibly be a bit more lopsided in favor of one or two. Rodinal (Adonal?) has been on my radar. Acufine/Diafine as well, but perhaps less so, as powders. Right now, my lean is towards T-Max as a liquid and its familial line similar to my Ilford set now. Thanks Andy for the nice samples. I will look further into these three!
Juan Valdenebro
Truth is beauty
I'm a Rodinal lover, but for a special look, or for low light, I recommend you TMax developer with TMax3200: really really amazing tone, and beautiful sharp tight grain!
Cheers,
Juan
Cheers,
Juan
Fotohuis
Well-known
Acros 100, E.I. 100 in Rollei Supergrain 1+15, 7 1/2 minut at 20C.
Tour Montparnasse (Paris, last week end).
M7+Elmarit 21mm.
Tour Montparnasse (Paris, last week end).
M7+Elmarit 21mm.