APX25, developer recommendations

[rich815]

Most of the posts about APX25 on this site seem to be about how APX25

is gone and what to use as its replacement. Somehow, earlier last

year, I was the only one to bid on a 10-roll brick of 120 on eBay for

about $20.00 USD and I have it in my freezer. Just shot a couple

rolls with my Fuji GW690III and Fuji GA645 and was wondering if

anyone had suggested developers, dilutions and times. Developers I

have on hand now are HC-110, Rodinal and Microdol-X but of course I'd

consider an alternative if compelling. The subject matter was a

combination of urban landscape and a few street shots in moderate

winter sunshine (early AM and late afternoon, that is) and bright

overcast----not particularly contrasty. I should mention I will be

scanning the negs not enlarging them traditionally. I'd like to see

if I can really get the most from this film. Any suggestions,

comments and hints very welcomed.

 

Or maybe I should sell the remaining rolls on eBay and make a

mortgage payment? ;-)

[alexis_neel]

Personally I'd got with XTol, stock, for 7.5 minutes.

 

Works great.

 

Alexis

 

www.alexisneel.com

[discpad]

Err, what E.I. did you shoot this film?!

[rich815]

Sorry. 25.

[tim_delorto]

Congratulations on such a find. The rest of us must have been asleep. Until it was discontinued APX25 was my favorite film, and I always developed it in Rodinal. You will not believe how sharp APX25 can be in this developer.

[georg_kern]

Like Alexis, I would suggest Xtol stock or 1+1 (I don't have the times at hand). Wonderful results. Rodinal would also be fine, but then expect around 15ASA max.

 

Regards

Georg

[jim_thompson6]

Richard,

 

I have received excellent results with both APX25 and Adox/Efke 25 developed in Neofin Blau. Since they are so slow, both of these films can handle the "larger" grain that Rodinal and Neofin tend to deliver, while providing unparalleled accutance.

 

Jim

[christiaan_phleger___honol]

What! Of course Xtol would be Fine, but you seriously need to try at least one roll in

Rodinal, one of the sweetest combinations Ever. No question. Don't worry about whether

or not you needed to be at EI 15, in my experience I've found for Rodinal the extra

exposure is not needed, Rodinal seems to keep the speed. Just don't over develop by

agitating via the D-76 'Shake and Bake' method, just a good solid first agitation then Chill,

like 2-3 agits per min, many do a slight 'swirling' rather than full inversion. Also, most of

the listed Agfa times are for a crazy contrast of like .65 which is denser than most, and if

you shot it at EI 15, processed it at "Agfa Times" AND did the old super shake agitation,

you will get a solid black dense mass of brickwall neg and you will never know just how

fine a film/developer combination this truly is. Sure, Xtol is 'fine' and 'do the job' but APX

25 in Rodinal 1:50 is just so unique, you owe it to this rare, discontinued and sorely

missed emulsion to do it right. I'd say that out of the 20 35mm, 25-28 120 rolls I still

have left frozen in my freezer, 75% will be reserved just for Rodinal.<div></div>

[rich815]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply to my post. Since I have two rolls ready for development I think I'll try the first in Rodinal at 1:50 for just under 10 minutes (I find slightly less dense negs to scan better). If I like it I'll stick with that, if not I'll try the other in some Xtol. Both were finished (last half of each roll) on the same subject matter on a walk through a botonical garden redwood forest on a nice, slightly overcast day with the sun peeking out from time to time. Good, soft, yet interesting light. I'll post a few here when I get the results. Thanks again.