What is your favorite B&W film developer.

[DNG]

I have been using HC 110/B, but, I just tried dilution H.... Big improvement with highlights and shadows, but, the midtones and grain with Tmax 400 @ 400 are smoo-oth...

Tried rodinal all differrent ways, but, could not get consistanty with tri-x or other 400 films.

 

[SayCheese]

Rodinal and Tri X @ EI250 because i like things simple.
Otherwise Atomal 1+1 when i need film speed. I like that very much, but the shelf life is too short for my shooting rate.
SayCheese

 

[Chris101]

HC110
HC110
HC110
HC110
caffienol

Turns out I hate rodinal. Maybe it's the smell.

 

[giulio stucchi]

I´ve started self dev. last year with rodinal (love it with agfaphoto apx 100 on sunny days) moved to LC29 mainly for 400 asa film (trix and neopan) and just ordered a bottle of DD-X to try this out (again on trix and neopan).

 

[Jockos]

I converted from the old ways of D76 to the sacred light of XTOL - may your grain be fine, your edges sharp and your shadow detail never end!

 

[mfunnell]

I have been using HC 110/B, but, I just tried dilution H.... Big improvement with highlights and shadows

For what it's worth, that has always worked for me.

...Mike

 

[Photo_Smith]

I think it depends on the result you wish to get, which format, speed etc.

I use three developers mainly, Rodinal is my go to developer in medium format and large format, for Delta based films and mild pushes I use Microphen/DDX and occasionally I use FX39 with slower films where I need maximum sharpness.

Oh and I always have a small stock of ID11/D76

 

[flip]

caffienol

Turns out I hate rodinal. Maybe it's the smell.

Well, it doesn't smell like coffee. 🙄
But huff enough and you get there. 😀

 

[L Collins]

Xtol. Great for HP5, Tri-X at box speed, pushing Tri-X.
Perceptol. Great for old style slow films e.g Pan F, Neopan SS
Microphen. Great for pushing HP5.

DDX rocks, but way too expensive.

 

[L Collins]

I converted from the old ways of D76 to the sacred light of XTOL - may your grain be fine, your edges sharp and your shadow detail never end!

Hear, Hear!

And I just don't get the Rodinal love.

 

[meso]

I voted Xtol as that is what I use most, but I also really like PMK Pyro

 

[stompyq]

I personally hate Rodinal myself. Really don't get why people like it so much. Ease of use?

 

[Terry Christian]

Rodinal and HC-110 mostly -- and to answer JSU's question, I only stand develop when the situation calls for it; stand developing is not a panacea.

I like D-76, XTOL, and DD-X as well. And Rodinal has a smell? Really? Not that I can detect. XTOL smells bad to me but it's worth it.

 

[yanchep_mike]

Always used to use ID-11/D-76 in 1+1 and 1+ 3, just started back with Mic-X and so far it looks pretty promising.

 

[stompyq]

Rodinal has a fishy smell and does funny things if you mix it with hydrogen peroxide (don't do it!!)

 

[zuiko85]

Well, I use HC-110 because the suryp keeps well and is easy to prepare a 1:60 as a one shot.

But, the only other listed developers I've used are D-76 and XTOL. I've also used Diafine. The problem with D-76 and XTOL was with me, too long an interval between developing and they went bad.

 

[Photo_Smith]

I personally hate Rodinal myself. Really don't get why people like it so much. Ease of use?

It could be that others value unique properties of different developers. Understanding others choice is an important way of validating our own.
Here is a scanned article from 1979 for those who 'don't get it'
http://forum.mflenses.com/1979-pop-photo-rodinal-article-t37502.html

I don't like Salmon, really don't get why others like it so much.😀

 

[stausauser]

Started using Amaloco AM74 with FP4+ and like the results.
When developing Neopan 400 120, i use Rodinal.

 

[jpa66]

Rodinal used to be my favorite hands-down (and I still love and use it), but over the last couple of years, I've found one I like even better: Pyrocat HD.

 

[jgran]

another vote for HC110
you just can beat the convenience factor.
great for beginners
easy mix and keeps forever.