nathancraver Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 I'm just curious to see if anyone ever tried or successfully uses combinations of developers (i.e. half HC-110 and half T-Max dev. or Rodinal and Microdol or whatever) to capture the characteristic advantages of 2 or more developers or is this more trouble than it's worth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicaglow Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Well.... it doesn't quite work that way. You might pick up the Developer's Handbook to learn why. But, combining developers would probably just give you some other formula with a little more of one agent and a little less of something else. I guess what I mean to say is that what you're suggesting is a top down approach to developer chemistry, where most technicians build a formula from the bottom up, according to amounts of specific ingredients. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_appleyard Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Actually, it happens quite often. I've read hear on Photo.net and other site about people combining HC-110 & Rodinal, X-Tol & Rodinal, etc. Do a search and you'll come up with some answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_appleyard Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Here's a start:http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/Rodinal/rodinal.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtayloreckstein Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Interesting, would have never thought of this, but there seems to be some proof it can be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ_kerlin Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 I agree with Michael. This would be a non-typical approach, though apparently it is done. To be truly successful, you would have to have an understanding of the basic ingredients of each developer (which is essentially the same as starting from the bottom up, but without mixing dry ingredients) or rely on others who have a good recipe along with recommended development times for your film. Otherwise, it would be pretty much trial and error. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank.schifano Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Bottom line, you'd be better served by mixing your own developers from raw chemicals. Of course, this assumes that you know what the individual components do and how they react with the other ingredients. Formulating developers is not trivial unless you're in the mood to play "mad scientist". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Aside of mixing developers. Has anyone tried to use 2 developers successively For instance starting in D-76 and finishing in Rodinal ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_ollinger Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 I haven't. But there are a lot of formulas for two bath developers. I'd try those first. The thing to do is to identify exactly what it is you're trying to get, and then find out what will accomplish it. What is it specifically you're trying to get? High emulsion speed? Fine grain? Low contrast? Normal contrast? High acutance? Developing speed? Economy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 I know about two bath developer I routinely use Diafine. My question is mostly pure curiosity... I imagine that starting in D-76 and finishing in Rodinal can give something between Rodinal and and D-76 but maybe I'm to naive about chemistry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_appleyard Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Eric, there's a difference in combing devs like Rodinal & X-Tol and using one then the other. If you were to use one after the other, you'd be cooking your film. A developer gets used-up as it processes film. This is what helps give you an image and keep highlights in check. A short answer for a long story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Hmmm... There is a lot of developers you can reuse. Proof than they are exhausted. I know there is a reaction inside or at the surface of the emulsion that exhaust developer that's why agitation is required... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_jenkins Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Previous threads: http://www.photo.net/black-and-white-photo-film-processing-forum/009bDK http://www.photo.net/black-and-white-photo-film-processing-forum/00F7KU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericd Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Thanks. It seems i not the only one to have silly ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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