[Leica] developers for BW negs to scan

[craig at craigschroeder.com (Craig Schroeder)]

I fumbled around with a number of things while learning the ins and outs 
of scanning my black & white negatives.  When I switched to PyroCat HD 
and some similar home brews most of my scanning struggles went away.  I 
was able to get good shadow detail and controlled highlights in my 
scans.  I don't own a high grade scanner (a Canon 9950F) but it's quite 
capable for what I use it for and perhaps some of my issues were related 
to machine limitations.  FP4+ and HP5+ work especially well and give me 
easy-to-scan/ink print and easy-to-print negatives for traditional 
darkroom work.  The grain masking effect of the developer smoothed out 
my scans but the edge effects of this style of developer bring back the 
snap where it matters.

G Hopkinson wrote:
> Folks I have read with interest some discussion on the perils of XTOL
> storage and am also in the throes of getting back into BW via developing
> then scan etc for print via inkjet.
>
> I am using primarily Ilford films and am playing thus far with FP4, HP5 &
> the Delta 100 & 400s.
>