lex_jenkins Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 BTW, the main problem I had with exposing FP4+ at the nominal speed of 125 was that I couldn't get satisfactory midtone separation in the developers I tried: Ilfosol-S, ID-11, Rodinal. Shadow detail was satisfactory but the midtones defied easy printing. Downrating the film to half the nominal speed solved the problem, at least in ID-11. I never got around to trying it at that speed in another developer. BTW, FP4+ at 250 is excellent in Diafine. Outstanding for use in extremely contrasty lighting. One of my photo.net folders contains four nighttime photos under a full moon using this combination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorge Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 Lex, I'm finishing a roll of FP4+ -rated 64- on my M2 and want to soup it on HC-110-B. What times/temps and agitation schemes have worked for you? I have a Jobo CPE-2 in case you suggest continous agitation (works beautifully with some film/dev combos). I'm striving for maximum compatibility between scanner and enlarger, thus not much contrast (should print OK in grade 3) but not thin negatives either. Of course finest grain is much desired although not the main consideration. Thanks for your insights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_emanuel Posted September 1, 2004 Share Posted September 1, 2004 tomasz, What is the rationale for the departure from gainers vitamic formular? I find that the original version with metol and measured with measuring spoons has incredible acuity, tonality, finess of grain with FP4+. Also I don't have to bother with a scale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_de_fehr Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 Michael and Tomasz, the PC-TEA developer that I recommended above is a single solution, concentrated version of Gainer's vitamin C developer. It will last forever on the shelf, and is simply diluted 1:50 for use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_davis5 Posted September 2, 2004 Author Share Posted September 2, 2004 Hmmm - wow- a veritable plethora of opinion and options! I should have clarified further what I'm looking into it for... I'm going on a trip to Spain, and I'll be taking my Hassy X-Pan with me, along with my regular Hasselblad stuff. I'm looking for a film to displace Tmax and T400cn in my film bag, as I'm quite tired of the hard-to-control and hard-to-print negs I get with those films. While I love the grainless nature of T400cn, especially when shot at 100, I find that it is just a pain to print highlights, even when doing split-grade printing on VC paper. I do like the Bergger BPF200, but I'm thinking of something a tad slower to use with 35mm since I find that the Bergger (developed in PMK Pyro) is a bit grainier than I'm used to (not objectionable, esp. in 2 1/4 format, but still). I like the tone and texture of the more traditional film better, now that I've shot some. So that is the genesis of this quest. I may try the FP4 in PMK at 64, for a test roll or two, to see how it comes out. Many thanks to everyone for all their recommendations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_jenkins Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 Jorge, I haven't tried FP4+ in HC-110 yet. Probably won't for several months as I'm taking my darkroom down in preparation for a move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_emanuel Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 Jay, I would appreciate the formula for PC-TEA and times/ temp. Or could you point me in th right direction for this info. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorge Posted September 3, 2004 Share Posted September 3, 2004 Lex, never mind, I'll do some clip tests tomorrow starting with the recommendation given by the <a href="http://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.html">massive developer chart</a> of www.digitaltruth.com. Can't go off by much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tklim Posted September 3, 2004 Share Posted September 3, 2004 The only reason for my modification of the original Pat Gainer's formula is the extension of the dev time. I prefer times similar to D76 1 + 1 rather than stock. I am often forced to process my films at 22 - 24 deg. C. With the proportions I use the times are more manageable. I too would be grateful for the TEA-based concentrate formula, although I'm not sure I will be able to get TriEthanolAmine here. Tomasz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_de_fehr Posted September 3, 2004 Share Posted September 3, 2004 PC-TEA 9 grams ascorbic acid .25 grams phenidone 100ml TEA heat the TEA in a pyrex container in the microwave for 30 sec.-1 minute, and add the ascorbic acid. When it is dissolved, add the phenidone. Be careful, because the TEA will get VERY hot without boiling. I think it boils at something like 600F. It's best to start with 30 sec. to 1 minute, and if the Ascorbic acid doesn't dissolve with some stirring, heat it up a little until it does. Dilute the concentrate 1:50 for use. enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_emanuel Posted September 3, 2004 Share Posted September 3, 2004 Thanks Jay, Iwill try the formula but can you give starting times and temps. I assume that what works for fp4 works nicely for delta 100 at about the same time. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_de_fehr Posted September 3, 2004 Share Posted September 3, 2004 For FP4+, my time is 8 min. @ 70F. I shoot portraits in open shade, and print with a difusion color head on VC paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_emanuel Posted September 3, 2004 Share Posted September 3, 2004 Jay, I tried the PC-TEA formula with Delta 100 20c for 8 Minutes. Truly excellent results in every respect. Interesting thing, I must have heated the TEA too much and the solution became sort of ruby red. Tried it anyway and, as I said,it worked amazingly well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike dixon Posted September 4, 2004 Share Posted September 4, 2004 EI 80 and Xtol 1:2 (for 7 minutes at 80 deg. F). Some examples (prints look better than the web images):<P><center><img src="http://mikedixonphotography.com/carlyfido.jpg"><p><a href="http://mikedixonphotography.com/kellybw02.jpg">Kelly</a><P><a href="http://mikedixonphotography.com/alliebw01.jpg">Allie</a></center> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dumpster001 Posted September 4, 2004 Share Posted September 4, 2004 i've always liked those three from you, Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_de_fehr Posted September 4, 2004 Share Posted September 4, 2004 Hi Michael. I'm glad that PC-TEA worked for you. I've noted your time for Delta 100 for my own use. Phenidone turns red when it oxidises, but it shouldn't oxidise in TEA. Did you mean that the working solution turned red? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_emanuel Posted September 4, 2004 Share Posted September 4, 2004 Jay, The red color happened during the second heating of the TEA which was necessary since the ascorbic acid crystals hadn't completely dissolved. Phenidone wasn't added as yet. Anyway, next time I'll be more careful with the heating. Despite this the developer seems too work great. In general I believe most people have found that times for Delta 100 and FP4+ are the same or at least very close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_de_fehr Posted September 6, 2004 Share Posted September 6, 2004 As long as it works, I guess it doesn't matter what color it is. It is normally a pale amber color, like a light pilsner. What EI do you use with Delta 100/PC-TEA? I've been shooting at box speeds with PC-TEA with good results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_emanuel Posted September 6, 2004 Share Posted September 6, 2004 jay, I use 1e 100 for Delta but if there shadows where I want a lot of detail I often open the diaphragm a half stop or so or simply bracket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_de_fehr Posted September 6, 2004 Share Posted September 6, 2004 Michael, that squares with my experience and use of PC-TEA. Thanks for the confirmation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_whitehead1 Posted September 12, 2004 Share Posted September 12, 2004 Pyro PMK. ISO64 7.5 minutes @ 24'C small tank two inversions every 15 seconds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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