Gradation in inherently high contrast films

[michael_emanuel]

With the use of fine grain inherently contrasty slow films such as Pan

F+ or Efke 25 does anybody have a preferred developer ( with dilution

and agitation protocol and change of exposure index) that they

particularly prefer to attain fine long gradation and sharpness ?

[andrew_oneill]

Efke 25 in Pyrocat-HD @ EI 16. 5ml A + 5ml B + 500ml water. Partial stand development in tray (this is for sheet film).

[lex_jenkins]

If you search around some recent threads (as well as some much older threads) you'll find differing opinions regarding the blanket assertion that general purpose, slow films meant pictorial use are inherently more contrasty than other films.

 

I haven't used Efke 25 (tho' I really like Efke R100) but while I have certain dissatisfactions with Pan F+, inherently high contrast wasn't among them.

[johndc]

two words: dia fine.

[lex_jenkins]

Yup, Pan F+ is excellent in Diafine. And it produces a true EI 50. Less of the sometimes peculiar midtones seen in Tri-X in Diafine in flat lighting. A little grain but should be acceptable to most folks. If I was going to use Pan F+ this is the developer I'd use.

[scott_walton2]

You can get some nice gradations even out of Kodalith using POTA, Divided D23 or Technidol! With regular films like you have, Divided D76 is excellent as it is a very fine grain, compensating developer.

[mark liddell]

Try pulling the film 1 stop, that way you get lower contrast and better tonality. Shutter speeds start getting pretty long though...