Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/11/12

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Subject: Re: Tri-x & Rodinal(off topic)
From: TTAbrahams@aol.com
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 10:10:26 -0500 (EST)

 Eric, I am a confirmed Rodinal user, although these days I also make my own
strange brews for Tri-X. Pushing Tri-X in Rodinal can be rewarding, but the
grain takes on a golfball sized structure. If you do it in Rodinal 1: 50 for
14 min at 70 degrees, it would be a starting point. If you find the grain too
disturbing, try adding a 100 grams of Sodium Sulphite/ 1000 ml of ready
developer. I.e 50 ml of Rod. and 950 ml of water in which you dissolved 100
grams of Sod. Sulphite. Agitate gently ( 2-3 inversions/min) and I usually do
not use a stop bath ( Rodinal is a "surface developer and the acid stop tends
to burn pinholes in the negs), just a 2 tankful water rinse and then fix as
usual. 
 I think that Rodinal is the oldest photographic product, in continious use.
available today. It was introduced in 1889!. I use it for reference
processing. When I have films I do not know anything about I usually run the
first roll in Rodinal 1:100/ 20 min and I can then extrapolate the correct
times from that. With films like Delta 100/ T-Max 100 and Agfa APX 100, you
get very sharp and easily printed negs with this combination ( rate the films
at 100ASA). I have even succesfully processed Neopan 1600 in Rod 1: 100/ 20
min. Very sharp, not fine grain but good compensation.
 The 1:100 doesn't work for pushing films, for that you need the 1:25 and 1:
50 dilutions. Good luck.
 Tom A