Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/05/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Douglas, I have been using Rodinal 1:100 for many years. Not all the time, but for certain things it works very well. I usually run it for 20min at 68F and the good thing is that you can throw a bunch of disparate films in the tank! T-Max 100, Tri-X, Delta 100, APX 25 and the odd roll of Orwo 22 Din, they all come out fine and will give you printable negs. The extreme dilution does tame the contrast. Agitation is critical, Rodinal will kick up a lot of contrast if you overagitate. For normal contrast I do 20-30 sec initially and a couple of 'Shake and Roll" every 30 sec. For high contrast scenery, beach in bright sun, white buildings in bright light, I agitate 5-7 sec every 60sec. As with any advice, your personal style will determine who well it works. Shoot a couple of rolls with the films you intend to use and try out the developing. Two or three rolls of trial films will teach you more than all the descriptions you could read. If you use one of the newer emulsions, T-Max,Delta etc I would forgo an acid stop-bath. Just a quick 2 changes of water prior to fixing. The extremely thin emulsion layers of the modern films can "pin-hole" when you use an acid stop. Tom A