charles_eliason1

<p><em>"Packaging seems definitely Ilford, Box, paper, even the seal sticker and spool look identical."</em><br>

<em><br /></em>I doubt that Ilford manufactures its own packaging materials. The makers of Extreme most likely source their materials from the same supplier.<br>

Same reason that Ilford one liter Fixer bottles are the same size as a Jobo bottle.<br>

Very handy by the way.</p>

 

<p>You'll have to wait in line, the first batch is sold out.</p>

<p>Maybe you should buy one of the new Jobo CPP3 's and process them yourself.</p>

<p>Or your perspective is off base and they are smarter than you think they are. All I know is the best way to preserve the film stock we do have is buy more of it, use more of it, have more fun with it and focus on the positive aspect of new offerings that serve film photographers.</p>

<p>L G,<br>

I have one, but did not think to use it as you have suggested. <br>

Thanks for the tip.</p>

<p>I am intrigued by the PH/303 bulb. For 15 bucks I think I'll check it out.<br>

I have three of the S45 enlargers, the last one I found at a state surplus auction and came with 10 brand new Opal bulbs. If the PH/303 bulb works well I'll save my Opals for important work and use the PH/303 bulb for everyday work.</p>

<p>The BHD bulbs as a point light source are for very high contrast imaging. This was / is primarily a medical application.<br>

None of the above options are suitable replacements for the original Opal bulb.<br>

However, if you go here: http://www.glennview.com/index.htm you can find an excellent replacement light source from a very knowledgeable guy.</p>

<p>I started a thread on the same subject here:<br>

http://www.apug.org/forums/forum37/110790-does-35mm-have-higher-base-fog-than-120-a.html<br>

And I asked Ilford directly, Simon's response is as follows :<br>

Dear Charles,<br /> <br /> The base density on 35mm ( miniature ) film is higher than on 120 ( different substrate ), dyes in the emulsion and the film has a buffer to prevent light piping.<br /> <br /> Thank you for using and valuing ILFORD Photo products :<br /> <br /> Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :</p>

<p>Simon responded back to me about an hour after I sent him the question.<br>

I'll certainly continue my support of Ilford and Ilford products.<br /> I encourage everyone else to as well.</p>

 

<p>Thanks for the comments.<br>

I normally shoot 120 format and a lot of Panf in 120.<br>

I typically have a base density of 0.02 for Panf in 120.<br>

Is there a difference in 35mm ?<br>

I have not discounted an issue with exhausted fixer as has been suggested.<br>

Later this week I'll mix up a fresh batch of chemistry and see what happens.</p>

 

<p>I have a bulk roll of Panf that's been in the refrigerator in a bulkloader (lloyds) for couple of years, expires this year.<br>

After developing several rolls it seems that my base + fog is a little high, 0.25 by my densitometer.<br>

I bought a new 100' roll, loaded it into a different type of bulk loader (watson) and it seems to be high as well, 0.26 by the densotometer.<br>

Is this normal for this film or is something amiss ?<br>

Naturally I loaded the film in my darkroom, and I'm pretty confident in my loading technique.<br>

I shoot with a Nikon F100 that's in great shape.<br>

Any suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks,<br>

Charles</p>

<p>My biggest issue with having to change developers is film speed. Xtol always gives me box speed. I am going to hate it if I have to redo film speed tests.</p>

<p>Here: <br>

http://www.apug.org/forums/forum37/110059-xtol-discontinued.html</p>

<p>It seems that Freestyle is out of stock but expecting a delivery in the next couple of days.<br>

After this the future seems uncertain and opinionated.<br>

B and H no longer shows the product on their website.</p>

<p>It does seem that Xtol will become unavailable.<br>

Would anyone care to share their opinions on a replacement ?<br>

Microphen from Ilford perhaps ?</p>

<p>I keep my darkroom at 68 F, winter and summer.<br>

I remounted my thermostat into my darkroom, my heating and cooling system run nominally keeping the darkroom at 68 degrees, the rest of my office 70 - 75.</p>

<p>From a practical as well as economical point of view tossing it and buying new is the way to go.<br>

However, looking at almost two gallons of chemistry sitting on my shelf, it's hard not to consider what the viability might be.<br>

A clip test couldn't hurt.</p>

<p>Thanks fellas.<br>

Nice prudent advice.</p>

<p>I've got a gallon bottle of Tmax developer that's %75 full.<br /> I've also got an unopened 16 oz bottle of the same<br /> and an unopened bottle of Tmax RS developer.<br /> <br /> All is at least several years old.<br /> <br /> Could anyone hazard a guess as to how viable they are ?<br /> <br /> Thanks,<br /> Charles</p>

<p>It is true that a new run of Jobo processors is being planned.<br>

Here is the response that I got from the supplier:</p>

<p>Charles,</p>

<p>Thank you for registering your interest.</p>

<p>Please find attached our initial information sheet. The processor will retail for just under GBP 2000 including VAT and the opening offer will include the free lift worth another GBP 280 with your registration.<br>

The first deliveries are due in the late summer when we will contact you again.</p>

<p>Kind regards,</p>

<p>Rodney Bates<br>

Sales Director</p>

<p>Firstcall Photographic Limited<br>

<a href="http://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk">www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk</a></p>

<p>Tel: ++44 (0) 1823413007<br>

Fax: ++44 (0) 1823413103</p>

<p>Open 8.30am through 5.30pm GMT</p>

<p>Where I live a gallon of gas is $3.60.<br>

120 roll film from B and H averages about five bucks a roll, chrome a little higher.<br>

If suppliers need to raise prices to keep manufacturing film, I'll gladly pay a gallon or two a roll.</p>

<p>Charles</p>

 

<p>And a better link here....<br>

http://www.cs.rochester.edu/~rmessing/cincinnatti/</p>

<p>Follow this link for an interesting perspective on analog photography...</p>

<p>http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2010/09/20/129990964/once-in-a-lifetime-river-tour-starts-here-unfortunately-everybody-s-dead</p>

 

<p>I do, all black and white at the moment.<br>

I do have two Jobo processors including print drums and a Durst AC800 enlarger for color work if I decide to get into it. At the moment though black and white work is my sole interest.</p>

<p>I just traded my digital outfit (Nikon D200, various dx lenses, etc) for more medium format gear<br>

(a Fuji gx680 III Pro outfit). Except for the camera on my phone I am now all film and feelin' free and liberated.</p>

<p>Charles</p>

 

<p>This morning I mixed a fresh batch using filtered water. The water temp was 70 deg F. The chemicals dissolved perfectly. I wish Dektol mixed as easy.</p>

<p>The one thing that I have learned from this escapade in chemistry is to read the manufacture's MSDS sheet for the particular product that you may be working with. After all, these are chemicals that could produce harmful byproducts that you may not be aware of as Lex pointed out from information that he pulled from the MSDS sheet for XTOL. That information is not included in the product packaging. Who would have thought that temperature could create such an effect, not me anyway.<br>

If I had been a film photographer and operated a darkroom in college I probably would have had higher grades in chem 101.<br>

Thanks for the responses,<br>

Charles</p>