Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/01/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Two bath developers work by placing all the active ingredient in the first bath where you load up the emulsion with developer. The second bath contains the elements needed to activate the developer. You can not overdevelop as you can't add more agent. Difficulties today include the fact that new films have less emulsion to load so the newer films tend to respond differently. I am always amazed at people suggesting a new "miracle" developer. Two bath developers have been around just about forever and they do solve problems with temperature(using developers where you can not get lower than 80F). Some people like the lower contrast. But usually you will get more consistent results by choosing a few films and a developer and really understanding how it works. Even the large format folks don't usually get into split development when they want to reduce contrast in a scene. However, by all means give it a try, when we stop trying new things then it is off to the home for us. Flat response means that it has a very linear characteristic curve. This could have something to do with others comments about the midtones. Traditional films like Tri-X have an implied mid-tone hump as the highlights don't respond lineally: more exposure doesn't lead to the same amount of density. Don Dory dorysrus@mindspring.com - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html