madNbad wrote:
When I started developing my own B&W, after a long absence, it was 2018 and the old formula HC-110 was still available. I used that until it was gone then tried Ilfotec HC but didn’t like it and gave the bottle away. Next was the Rodinal experiment. I learned a lot about developing and developers, improving my technique along the way. I thought about trying D-76. The Film Photography Project offers their version in one liter packaging, which fits my needs better. I like it but wanted to try Xtol, just not five liters at a time. Adox XT-3 is is basically the same and it’s offered in one liter packaging. It’s a bit difficult to find a steady supply in the US so when Cinestill had it in stock, I bought a bunch. So, currently, XT-3 is my primary developer. I do have Rodinal on hand when I want something a little different....Show more →
Thanks for elaborating!
I'm kind-of in a similar situation - just got back into developing my own b&w recently after a long hiatus, and frankly I did not shoot much b&w back in the day either, and especially was never consistent in regards to film, developer and method, just tried all the things, basically.
So now I really wanted to settle on one or two films and one developer, and I've found it really hard to make my mind up just from looking at stuff online, there's just so many variables and so many opinions, also you never know how the photos have been scanned, edited, etc...
Still I boiled it down pretty much by now, will likely go with either Tri-X or Delta for ISO 400 film and already decided on XTOL, at least for now.
Adox XT-3 might be easier with the 1L packs (and it is readily available where I am - I mean it's basically being produced around the corner from where I live), yet I've read mixed reviews whether it really performs like XTOL.. also I've not found the 5L pack to be a problem, I just mixed it up in a bucket, and then divided in five glass bottles I filled up to the rim and screwed tight, this should keep fairly well.
Desmolicious wrote:
Kentmere 400 pushes really well. I’ve pushed it to 1600 and it looked shockingly good! Using Df96 Monobath but I am sure regular developers would be even better.
Yeah, Grainy Days pushed it 3-stops to 3200 and got decent results. I figured I would start slow.
I'm kind-of in a similar situation - just got back into developing my own b&w recently after a long hiatus, and frankly I did not shoot much b&w back in the day either, and especially was never consistent in regards to film, developer and method, just tried all the things, basically.
So now I really wanted to settle on one or two films and one developer, and I've found it really hard to make my mind up just from looking at stuff online, there's just so many variables and so many opinions, also you never know how the photos have been scanned, edited, etc...
Still I boiled it down pretty much by now, will likely go with either Tri-X or Delta for ISO 400 film and already decided on XTOL, at least for now.
Adox XT-3 might be easier with the 1L packs (and it is readily available where I am - I mean it's basically being produced around the corner from where I live), yet I've read mixed reviews whether it really performs like XTOL.. also I've not found the 5L pack to be a problem, I just mixed it up in a bucket, and then divided in five glass bottles I filled up to the rim and screwed tight, this should keep fairly well. ...Show more →
A mix of Delta 100 & 400 would be a good start. I used Delta for a while and liked it. Then decided to go to some of the older emulations for a while. Have fun and we’ll be looking forward to the results.
madNbad wrote:
I take it you’re liking those postcards size negatives.
Oh yeah! Combined with an uber sharp lens on this camera, what's not to like. Still getting to know the camera and 120 film. Right now, I have a temporary rigged scan system with my Sony A1 while waiting on the Blackscale Lab Molo scan kit. It's similar to the Valoi Easy35 but includes 120 as well.
