Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/08/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Very interesting to hear B&W film developer experiences. I work extensively with B&W in 35mm, 120, and 4X5. Developing times and suitable film developer combinations can definitely be influenced by the qualities of one's water supply especially mineral content. Another factor that varies from person to person is your agitation technique. This can have an important effect on grain and degree of contrast for a given development time. Another factor often overlooked are the qualities of the glass in the lens used for picture taking. I find I have to adjust my developing times to maintain a desired level of negative contrast depending whether I have used a Leica or a N---n. As this is a Leica discussion I'll assume that the previous comments on film and developers were in reference to 35mm. In support of previous comments, I have never gotten gratifiying results with TMY400-135 with any developer. Specifically, with my R6 or M6, I have gotten excellent results with Tri-X developed in ILford ID-11, 1:1 at 68 degrees F., Agfa 100 developed in Rodinal 1:25, and TMAX100 in ID-11, 1:1. At 11X14 inch enlargement, the TMAX was very close to 2 1/4 quality with quite a nice range of tonalities. As I am sure everybody is aware by now, you need to be careful not to overdevelop TMAX with any developer as the highlights can block up rather quickly. I wholeheartedly agree with the comments on HP5+. I recently completed a photo trip on which I used HP5+ extensively and so far the results are very rewarding.Although I have never used TMAX developer in the manner described by Eric Welch, I have yet to find a suitable use for it with any of the more conventional films. If I may be permitted to slide off-topic, I have done very well with TMY400 in 120 format with both HC110 dil B and Ilford ID-11; if any one wants any info on that feel free to e-mail me directly. Michael Gardner