Hi .... neat pic. I'm interested in the Xtol+Rodinal process that you
used. Would you be kind enough to explain the reason and the technique?
I've started with this article:
http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/Rodinal/rodinal.html
>> Mixing Rodinal and Xtol by Sam Elkind
I read with interest the Nov 28th exchange on the BW Film Developing forum about Vit C developers and the Rodinal variation. On that forum, I have on occasion mentioned a blend I use that gives excellent results with (at least) Tri-X, Delta 100, Delta 400, and Verichrome, in both 135 and 120 formats. I think people have an initial reaction that the idea sounds preposterous.
The blend uses both Xtol and Rodinal. The origin for me was that Xtol results were too flat, while Rodinal results were too grainy (no surprise). A couple of years ago, I was searching for an ideal developer and after some tests I settled on this blend. Following is the result of my testing (quantities set to my 500 mL tank):
Xtol = 100 mL
water = 400 mL
Rodinal = 4 to 5 mL Times @ 24 degrees C. are:
Tri-X (200) = 9 minutes.
Delta 100 = 10.5 minutes.
Verichrome = 8.5 minutes.This blend may be useful to you and perhaps others. I think you will find the grain is quite acceptable, even in 35mm negs, and that tonality is attractive, especially in highlights. In the context of the exchange on the BW forum, in which you made reference to Gainer's Rodinal variation, I thought you might find this combo of interest.
<<
I'm using 5ml of rodinal personally (don't ask why: just because ;) and I've found out, that for different film brands you can also blend their developing times: in Xtol 1+3 and Rodinal 1+50; it gives more or less accurate point of start. I.e: (20deg.)
Neopan400 = (15,75 + 11)/2 = 13,5
Btw, you can use smaller amounts of developers, down to 70ml of xtol and 3,5ml of rodinal, what gives 350ml of solution.
For further investigation, try searching usenet & forums (apug, photo.net) for "xtol rodinal blend".
Good luck!
cheers -- alkos at tlen pl http://onephoto.net/portfolio.php3?id_autora=17765
