Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/09/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I've used both developers with Tri-X and found that Microdol gives fine grain, but less detail and sharpness because of its action on grain edges. The high amount of sodium sulfite acts as a silver solvent and dissolves the grain edges. This can be an advantage in certain types of portrait photography, but I found the effect somewhat soft, even mushy. D-76 also has a high concentration of sodium sulfite, but is a high energy developer with shorter development times; therfore the silver-solvent action is proportionally less. Rodinal is a high acutance developer and produces a sharp, edgy Tri-X negative but with a very grainy look to it. I find it more suited to slower, fine-grained films. For Tri-X I recommend Kodak HC-110, dilution B. It produces beautiful tones, good shadow detail, and moderate to fine grain. Be sure not to overdevelop; start at a time 15-20 percent less than recommended. Mix the whole bottle at once, and store the resulting stock solution in small, full bottles which will keep for some time. Dilute the reulting stock solution 1:7 to get dilution B. It's almost impossible to consistently measure and dilute the original heavy syrup-like HC-110 from its bottle. For the newer TMax 400 and 100 films, I've found that Kodak's TMax developer works best. These films are extremely sensitive to changes in development time, temperature, and agitation. A few years ago I tested several combinations of 100-125 speed black and white films and developers and, to my surprise found that nothing came close to TMax 100 and TMax developer in terms of effective film speed, fine grain, and tonality. My previous favorite combo was Ilford FP4 and Ilford Microphen. - -Jack Milton http://www.agate.net/~jmilton/index.html