Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/01/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Well, you have to start somewhere, so why do not start with Xtol as a developer and try to find the suitable film (as was suggested by somebody else here some weeks ago). This developer has the advantage that it lets you shoot at (at least) twice the nominal iso value and still get excellent tonal values. Grain is very fine and sharpness is excellent, but not with all films. The following times are for a small tank with Xtol diluted 1+1, (I find this dilution increases sharpness), with agitation during the first 30 secs, and then 10 secs every minute. Agitate gently, do not shake the tank, and make sure your temperature does not vary too much from 68°F. For APX 25 exposed at 50 iso develop for 8 min , and you may also want to try Delta 100 exposed at 200 iso and developed for 13 mins. I use Ilfostop and Ilford's Hypam both for film and paper with dilution and times as per the instructions that come with the product. For Xtol I refer to the information on Kodak's web page, but I add 15% to the development times stated there, and I make sure I alsway use at leasst 150 ml stock solution per film, irrespective of the dilution I use. Good luck >If you haven't done any processing in 25 years, and have specific goals in >mind, my recommendation is to put off the job for 6 months and start using a >lot of the film, and processing it yourself. Try the various fine-grain >developers (xtol, microdol X, others,) and judge the results for yourself. > >Nobody on this list can tell you how, in a few pages, to get what you want. >You have to see it, and get it, yourself. > >sorry, there are no short cuts. > >ctrentelman >ogden (35 years a photographer and still learning) >Utah > > >In a message dated 1/9/0 8:11:23 AM, you wrote: > >> >>Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2000 22:48:36 EST >>From: RBucha7924@aol.com >>Subject: [Leica] Re: Leica Users digest V14 #63 >> >>Planning to do a job with APX 25. Will do my own processing, >>but I haven't done my own processing for 25 years. I want the >>very best for fine grain, and perfect tones. These are George >>Hurrell style shots and I would like to duplicate the style w/o >>6 hours of retouching on each negative as Hurrell had done. >> >>What would you recommend for times, temperatures, agitation, >>developer, fixer, etc, etc.. Please be specific when you reply. >>I know a lot must have changed in 25 years. >> >>Will be doing the work with an M3 and 90mm Elmar. >> >> Thanks in advance for all the help.... >> >> -Rick >> >>------------------------------