hans voralberg
Veteran
You know mfogiel, it's one of your signature but I notice that doesn't matter what dev you use the sharpness and grain structure is always very dominant in your picture. Inspired by you I'll give Tri-X in Rodinal and D76 a try 
Lilserenity
Well-known
Very 'normal' in my preference: 50mm lens, Tri X or FP4+, D-76 either 1+0 or 1+1 for economy. I don't notice enough difference between 1+0 and 1+1 on sharpness if I am honest. Maybe I print smaller then some.
I do have some Xtol but I find D-76 much more universal for my preferences which also sometimes stretch to Delta 100 and TMax 400/Delta 400 (also Delta 400 and TMax 400 pushed to 1600.)
But largely always the older film emulsions for me.
All 50mm, Tri-X 400, D-76 1+0
I do have some Xtol but I find D-76 much more universal for my preferences which also sometimes stretch to Delta 100 and TMax 400/Delta 400 (also Delta 400 and TMax 400 pushed to 1600.)
But largely always the older film emulsions for me.
All 50mm, Tri-X 400, D-76 1+0
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squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
I can't imagine why this topic would have elicited this kind of reaction, but these are some of the best photos I've ever seen in one thread on this forum. Really, what a tremendous batch of work. Maybe our technical processes are more important to us than we like to admit.
Anyway, I'm with Helen, I have been grooving lately on Neopan 1600 in Rodinal 1:50.
Anyway, I'm with Helen, I have been grooving lately on Neopan 1600 in Rodinal 1:50.
kipkeston
Well-known
I don't have any tonality problems with Tri-x in Xtol 1:1. Enlargements are very sharp. It's been my go-to for two years now.
Morca007
Matt
Right now my magic combo is 6x6 Acros in HC-110 Dilution H, 9.5 minutes @ 68f. Haven't really settled on a 'magic' combo for 35mm.
wclavey
Established
I have a "most common" combo and a "most favorite" combo:
Most common: Arista EDU 100 developed in Diafine, each solution diluted 1:1 with water, in a rotary Jobo drum
Most favorite: TMY-2, developed as above.
The reason I don't shoot TMY-2 all the time is that, living in TX, it is hard to shoot a faster film and be able to make good use of selective focus and slow shutter speeds. And when developing with Diafine I shoot it at 800.
I do agree with the comment further up the page - - there are some amazingly good pictures in this thread!
Most common: Arista EDU 100 developed in Diafine, each solution diluted 1:1 with water, in a rotary Jobo drum
Most favorite: TMY-2, developed as above.
The reason I don't shoot TMY-2 all the time is that, living in TX, it is hard to shoot a faster film and be able to make good use of selective focus and slow shutter speeds. And when developing with Diafine I shoot it at 800.
I do agree with the comment further up the page - - there are some amazingly good pictures in this thread!
gnuyork
Well-known
I have never used anything except D76 with either Trix, PlusX, or Tmax 100, 400, and 3200, until recently on my last roll of film I used Tmax RS developer on trix and tmax 100 and had good results.
I'd say I had very good results with D76 and Plus X in the past.
I'm about to give Xtol a try for 4x5 Tmax negs. I read that Xtol is a good developer for film you plan to scan.
These were with Plus X and D76 developer:
I'd say I had very good results with D76 and Plus X in the past.
I'm about to give Xtol a try for 4x5 Tmax negs. I read that Xtol is a good developer for film you plan to scan.
These were with Plus X and D76 developer:
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luiman
shadowgrapher
now I really like Rollei Retro100 (APX100) in Rodinal 1 +100
luiman
shadowgrapher
sorry for the strange size of my previous characters!-
Turtle
Veteran
No magic combos for me.
TriX/HP5 in DDX is pretty darned good.
Delta 100 in Xtol 1+something very good if you want smooth, fine grain and endless detail with decent tonality.
Xtol mixed with rodinal with the above is great for more bite...
Neopan 400 in Xtol 1+2 is probably the best all round combo I have.
120 Fp4+ in Xtol has a very nice tonality
D3200 in xtol is stunning if you are not afraid of a little grain
Foma 200 is lovely in xtol and rodinal but QC is not up to scratch
Foma 100 in rodinal can be pretty special..
The honest truth is the more I shoot, the more I feel that most films developed in Xtol or DDX will do me just for for all round use. Neopan 400 and delta 100 both in xtol suits me fine. I'll throw in some Neopan 1600 and D3200 when I want more speed. Migth throw in some rodinal witht he xtol when I want more bite.
TriX/HP5 in DDX is pretty darned good.
Delta 100 in Xtol 1+something very good if you want smooth, fine grain and endless detail with decent tonality.
Xtol mixed with rodinal with the above is great for more bite...
Neopan 400 in Xtol 1+2 is probably the best all round combo I have.
120 Fp4+ in Xtol has a very nice tonality
D3200 in xtol is stunning if you are not afraid of a little grain
Foma 200 is lovely in xtol and rodinal but QC is not up to scratch
Foma 100 in rodinal can be pretty special..
The honest truth is the more I shoot, the more I feel that most films developed in Xtol or DDX will do me just for for all round use. Neopan 400 and delta 100 both in xtol suits me fine. I'll throw in some Neopan 1600 and D3200 when I want more speed. Migth throw in some rodinal witht he xtol when I want more bite.
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
Like Turtle, I don't have "A" Magic Combo. I keep three developers on the shelf:
Tmax Developer
Rodinal
D-76
Each has their uses. I mostly use Tmax 400 and Tmax 3200 in 35mm and Fuji Acros and Tmax 400 for 120 film. I did recently buy a brick of the Arista Premium 400 (Tri-X) because I had not really given Tri-X much of a try in all the years I have been working, and at $2 a roll, I had to try it. I like it in Rodinal or D-76.
Acros in Rodinal 1+50, 120 size
Tmax 400-2 in D-76 1+1
Tmax 400-2 in Tmax Developer 1+7
Tri-X in D-76 1+1
Tri-X in Rodinal 1+50
Tmax 3200, EI-1600, Tmax Developer 1+4
Tmax Developer
Rodinal
D-76
Each has their uses. I mostly use Tmax 400 and Tmax 3200 in 35mm and Fuji Acros and Tmax 400 for 120 film. I did recently buy a brick of the Arista Premium 400 (Tri-X) because I had not really given Tri-X much of a try in all the years I have been working, and at $2 a roll, I had to try it. I like it in Rodinal or D-76.
Acros in Rodinal 1+50, 120 size
Tmax 400-2 in D-76 1+1
Tmax 400-2 in Tmax Developer 1+7
Tri-X in D-76 1+1
Tri-X in Rodinal 1+50
Tmax 3200, EI-1600, Tmax Developer 1+4
Fenwick
Established
Hey Chris those dolls are a little creepy
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
robert blu
quiet photographer
probaly not magic, but my workig combination is delta 100 and Ornano Gradual ST-20 1:9 time 6 minutes at 24°C, robert
Dantin
Newbie
Rodinal 1:60
Rodinal 1:60
I love the result with ordinal 1:60. Great grain and a nice pop to the image that i really like. It would be nice to have some more information; EI, agitation and time?
Rodinal 1:60
I have waited with the last combination I like to use the most, actually because the jury is still slightly out on this one. I am obviously talking about Tri X, which is my most frequently used film. I am still undecided between a diluted Rodinal and Prescysol EF, and am using both depending on some factors.
Let's see which developers I DO NOT like with Tri X, and why, first.
The least loved is Xtol. The grain is fine, but the sharpness is scarce, and the tonality is plain muddy, it really takes away the sparkle from this film:
Xtol 1+1
The second worst is HC110, I think I have used the dilution H, to increase the acutance. Conclusion: unsharp with ugly biggish grain, although the tonality is very good.
The third least loved, but often necessary for obvious reasons is Diafine. The grain is mushy and the sharpness is borderline, but the mushiness of grain permits some sharpening in PS without generating a gritty effect. The tonality is generally great in midtones. It is a great portrait combination, and gives you the advantage of incredible tolerance on exposure. Best tonality is obtained when shooting between EI 400 and 800.
Now comes Acufine - a developer which delivers almost a Rodinal like grain and good tonality plus it gives you an extra stop for EI 800. I have always used it more diluted as a one shot developer.
Finally we arrive to D76 1+1. I have tried 1+1 and 1+3 to see if there was any discernible difference in sharpness, but my judgement, is, thet there is none. On the other hand, the tonality is slightly better at 1+1. This developer has only one fault - it is not very sharp, but the tonality is difficult to beat for an average subject:
So, we have arrived to the finalists: Rodinal and Prescysol EF.
Rodinal, when well treated, gives you great tonality with a sharp but not excessive grain, and a general pop to the image that I like a lot. I have tried Rodinal between 1+50 and homeopatic dilutions in stand development, but I find that pure stand developmrent causes too many problems, like uneven development of one side of the negative, or excessive blocking of the highlights. I believe, the right way, is to find a dilution and a semi stand agitation scheme that do not pump up the grain, block the highlights and give you acceptable speed, here's an example from my last roll done at 1+60 with only 3.75cc of Rodinal per film:
Finally, we get to Prescysol EF, which is one of the new Pyro developers. This developer gives a fairly small and sharp grain, with a razor sharpness and a great tonality, although it excels in the middle upper range, i.e. the blacks are not shattering, which is due to its strongly compensating nature. I find this developer unbeatable for shooting old architecture with some vintage Leica lenses. It is also great for portraiture, less for landscapes, where you might want a more dramatic tonality. Here are some examples shot with the DR Summicron and Summaron 2.8:
I love the result with ordinal 1:60. Great grain and a nice pop to the image that i really like. It would be nice to have some more information; EI, agitation and time?