wayne_crider4 Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 I'm looking for a easy traveling single solution developer that can be used with new Delta 400 and not give me problems with storage heat wise. Am I asking too much? I'd also prefer that it could be used at higher developing temps, like 75F. I'd prefer something liquid if I could get it in small containers, but not Rodinal. I'm starting to think that maybe powder packages and mixing as I need it would be the way to go, and just dumping the excess if it doesn't store well, but I'd hate to pollute tho. Are there any options for developers for liquid storage in less than ideal temps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc_leest1 Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 The first thing that comes to my mind is Ilford Ilfotec dd-x, a liquid developer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_hull Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 Diafine seems like the perfect answer. It is a powder, but the mix lasts for a long, long time and can be reused many times. Also, it is rather indifferent to temperature changes. The mixing is the pain, the rest is easy as cake. And you could batch multiple types of film together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0002a Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 If it makes you feel any better, XTOL is probably the most environmentaly friendly developer available. I would be hesitant about flying with any liquid developer. They may not like it if they find it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_davis2 Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 Well if you're flying this might not be the best idea but. A little plastic bag full of sodium sulfite. A second bag full of metol. A set of kitchen spoons. Mix D-23 at working strenght when you need it. It supposedly works fine at 75F but I've never had to deal with that. No waste. No liquids to leak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_chini Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 Or if you want an easy-to-use liquid, Edwal FG7. Economical and results as good as, or better-than D76. Comes in very small, somewhat small and large containers. It is usually diluted 1:15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne_crider4 Posted July 8, 2003 Author Share Posted July 8, 2003 Thanks guys; I've ruled out Xtol and Diafine although I use both. I really don't want to be carrying around big bottle's of solution. My fixer is TF4, which I can carry in a reasonably small bottle due to dilution rate and longetivity, and I want one small bottle (maybe 250ml) of developer that can mixed at time of use and be diluted. The thing that worries me most is something sitting in high heat at times. I like the idea of mixing my own, but then if I got pulled over in a car or someone questioned it at baggage check, or even going thru checked baggage I'd probably have a hard time explaining what it was, and it would more than likely cause more trouble than it's worth. It would be perfect tho, but I don't know how D23 works with Delta 400. The question of flying with liquid is another matter. I'll have to check that out with my standard carrier. I could always pick something up where I fly to; If available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_davis2 Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 I could see it now Officer Bill " What is this powder stuff?" You " It's film developer. Really!" Officer Bill " It's what???" You " Developer" Officer Bill " I think I should send these chemicals to the lab" You " I can prove it. Let me develop a roll of film for you" Officer Bill " Really?" You " Sure want some naked pictures of your wife?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_urmonas Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 I would think about Ilford LC-29. This is a highly concentrateddeveloper (dilution up to 1:29) so a small bottle goes a long way.It has a very long life in a partly filled bottle (from memory18 months in a half full bottle). It is a good general purposedeveloper. I have not used it with Delta 400, but no reason whyit should not be OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_jenkins Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 Diafine. In matching whiskey flasks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne_crider4 Posted July 8, 2003 Author Share Posted July 8, 2003 Hey I like that flask idea;.. And for developer too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_hicks___ Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 If you're willing to do powder, D-76H works great with D400. You could store half-liter (or smaller) premixed powders in film cannisters etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0002a Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 Oh sure, go to an airport with cannisters filled with white powder. Oh my God! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_waller Posted July 9, 2003 Share Posted July 9, 2003 Given the current excitable state of airport staff you may find it difficult to get developers on to a 'plane. But I'd suggest Rodinal which, I believe is used by Sebastiao Salgado, no other. Other than that ID11 or D76 which can be dissolved on site. But as has been noted, carrying small packets of white powder may cause the raising of eyebrows and questions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholas_t. Posted July 9, 2003 Share Posted July 9, 2003 I am thinking... Gainer Phenidone Vitamin C developer.<p> Mix as you go, use teaspoon measures, get the Phenidone sent to your destination (by a reputable company) and source your Vitamin C and Borax or Carbonate locally.<p> ...Use Ilfords wash sequence for a water stop and film wash and you're halfway there.<p> Methinks <b>this</b> is the worlds most environmentally friendly developer.<br>My own 2 cents: trust a company which polluted a river to create a truly environmentally friendly developer ?... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne_crider4 Posted July 9, 2003 Author Share Posted July 9, 2003 Gee it would be so easy if someone just made developer tablets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_chini Posted July 9, 2003 Share Posted July 9, 2003 I think X-Tol comes in 'cake' form... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Posted July 9, 2003 Share Posted July 9, 2003 777. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barry_kenstler Posted July 9, 2003 Share Posted July 9, 2003 I'm surprised that nobody mentioned the super-concentrates HC-110 and Infotec HC. They are useable at the higher temperatures and, outside of Rodinal, are probably the most durable concentrates out there. A full sized container of the stuff could easily be decanted into small plastic chemical bottles and conveniently stowed for the trip. A very small graduated cylinder, thermometer and a time temperature chart would be necessary accompaniments. That said, I have not used these concentrates with the newest Delta 400, but did use ILFOTECH HC 1:31 with the older Delta 400 with good results. If the new Delta responds to this developer as its predecessor did, expect the grain to be noticeably more distinct than with Xtol. By the way, maybe it's just me, but except for scenes with a very wide brightness range, I've found the new Delta 400 to be pretty dismal in Diafine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne_crider4 Posted July 9, 2003 Author Share Posted July 9, 2003 Bill from waht I have read over at http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/Harvey/harvey.html, this developer is a deep tank solution that needs to be ripened. Doubt that it work for me, but sounds like something to try one day. Any experiences? Barry, I don't think I'd use a compensating developer when I need expansion, but when I do need it Diafine is pretty good and easy. The only other developer I want to try is Barry Thorntons DiXACTOL Ultra which is a single or two bath compensating developer. http://www.barry-thornton.co.uk/dixactol.htm... I just got finished developing Delta 400 in Xtol 1:3 @75F and will print tonight. There's an obvious speed increase and not a small one. Grain looks good. I wish they still made it in 1 liter size since I only have one left. I'm startiing to think that for flying the powders are going to be better. At least the packages are sealed with manufacture's names on them. The only other possibility is a 125ml Rodinal bottle since I'm now leaning more towards a non-solvent developer. I could see driving and getting pulled over by the cops and having a big old jug full of Xtol or D76. They'd probably think it was moonshine. BTW, I wonder if moonshine could develop film? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene crumpler Posted July 9, 2003 Share Posted July 9, 2003 I had some questions about a 1 liter bottle of Listerine in Paris about a month ago. White bags of powder? NO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_jenkins Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 I've heard strong coffee and tea will provoke some development. At least that stuff is available most places and ain't illegal. If Kodak could just thicken up HC-110 a little more and sell it in squeeze tubes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ole_tjugen Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 The nicest little packages of liquid concentrate I know of are Neofin. For Delta 400, the Neofin Red would be good. At the moment I would have used Pyrocat-HD, which is used at very high dilutions. Is 75F hot? I routinely used Ilfosol S at 25°C for 90% of my work some years ago with exellent results - and that is more than 75F... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_waller Posted July 10, 2003 Share Posted July 10, 2003 Try your local pharmacy. Mine sells small plastic bottles (about 20 ml) intended for collecting urine samples. But they are ideal if you want to decant Rodinal off into smaller containers. They are screw-capped and (obviously) water-tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne_crider4 Posted July 10, 2003 Author Share Posted July 10, 2003 Yea Chris, I'll just tell the people at the gate that it's urine samples and that I'm taking them to my doctor. ( ^: Ole, I meant storing the solutions at temps above 80F, but then a cooler would work. I was just wondering about high temp storage without cooling and how it affected the developers if at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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