Times for Agfa APX 400 @ 800? Which developer?

Dear Community,

 

1) As the APX user would known, Agfa released new time for the APX

400 (35mm) emulsion. Unfortunatelly there is no information on APX

400 @ 800. Do you have any suggestion?

 

2) In general, I normally develop APX 400 in Rodinal. Of course this

combination gives me a grainy negative. I would like to try different

developer. Do you have any suggestion? Please indicate if possible

also the times.

 

Best regards,

 

D.

1) In general, prolonging the dev time slightly (10-20%) will give you the push. Rodinal and pushing will probably not be the best combination, though (unless you like grainy.)

 

2) I haven't tried as I don't currently use APX400, but the usual suggestions are Kodak D-76, HC-110, Xtol or the Ilford equivalents. I'd probably start by trying HC-110 or D-76, as these are fairly general.

I can't speak for APX 400 @ E.I. 800, but I've had good luck at rating Ilford HP5+ and developing in Microphen. Maybe it would work well for APX 400.

I recently started a thread about APX 400 asking for opinions on this film. You can read about it here: http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=009MkN. I have been casting around looking for a film to replace Tri-X for some of my work now that the price of Tri-X has been jacked up to an unacceptable level. The general consensus has been that: 1.) APX 400 is considerably slower than it's competition, and 2.) APX 400 does not do well in Rodinal. See Agfa's tech bulletin here and decide for yourself. If I were to attempt a 1 stop push with this film, I would give XTOL or Microphen a try first. Rodinal is absolutely the wrong soup for this combination.

Sorry, I meant to post the link to Agfa's pdf. Stupid me, I forgot to include it. Here it is:

 

http://www.agfa.com/photo/pdf/products/F-PF-E4_en.pdf

The new version of APX 400 cannot be effectively pushed in Rodinal. The development curve flattens out quickly and extended development accomplishes nothing - no improvement in midtones, no increase in contrast. I've tried it. The results were very disappointing.

 

The new APX 400 might be okay at EI 200 in Rodinal. Otherwise try a different developer. Agfa suggests data for several others in the PDF on their website.

Dear All,

 

since it was my first message on the forum, i'm surprised how quick you all give me advices! THANK YOU!

My main problem is that I could not try the new combination with other rolls (other APX 400 @ 800, i mean). I just have this roll. So I have to find something that could work. On the other side, it's not the fild of my fild, so i can risk a bit.

 

Going to my question, I will try other developers than rodinal, but still i don't know which one i can get in the local shop. I have unfortunately to skip the XTOL, since it's sold only in 5l pack, too much for me.

Agfa advise some times for APX 400 @ 400 in the case it's processed with other developer: REFINAL, D-76; ID-11; RODIANL SPECIAL.

But nothing is say for APX 400 @ 800.

As Oskar Ojala wrote, I should extend the developing time to get the proper developing.

Is it sufficient that i extend the time of a 20%?Someone could give me more details on this, in particular in relation with the develpoer i quoted above.

 

Thank you a lot, again!

See www.digitaltruth.com for some ideas on dev times, as well as Agfa's tech sheet. I checked the tech sheet and sure enough, the contrast levels off with Rodinal, so don't use it for pushing with this film. 20% might be good.

Thank you Oskar,

and all the other members.

 

I have access to ID - 11, so i think i will try this.

 

Since i've never used it before, I would ask you if is it difficult to prepare the solution (i've never used before a pouder developer)?

 

Shall i use 1+0 or 1+1?

I would recommend Clayton F 76 plus developer. Dilute 1+9, 68f, for 7.5 minutes. If you like contact me and I will send a sample to try.

askus@claytonchem.com