Re: [Leica] help pls - tech pan dev. advise?

["Dan Post" <dwpost@email.msn.com>]

I have used a two part D-76 formula with some success in high contrast films
to keep from blocking highlights. Basically, all the components are mixed in
part A, except the Borax, which is mixed as Part B. One simply uses part A
for at least four minutes, and then part B for at least four minutes. I
understand that it was used by the military and others required to develope
film where the 68 degree darkroom was not possible! It always appeared that
Diafine was a similar idea. One variant uses the D-76 amount of Borax,
another uses a saturated solution; both seem to give the same results. Do
you suppose this might work with Tech-Pan? I have not personally used the
film, but if the grain is as fine as they say, I'll give it a try.
We have an X-rite 810 at work, so I can get a pretty accurate reading of the
film for fog, density variations, etc.
Dan'l
dwpost@msn.com
- -----Original Message-----
From: TTAbrahams <TTAbrahams@aol.com>
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Date: Friday, January 09, 1998 6:53 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] help pls - tech pan dev. advise?

>Steven, get some 00 filter from Ilford for enlarging, otherwise use Kodaks
>recommendation for processing. It is sensitive to agitation and contrast
will
>go skyhigh if you dont watch out. For Technidol I rate it at 25 ASA and I
have
>been playing around with a formula that gives 200 ASA. It seems to work but
I
>am still looking for some missing zones in it and once I get it working
>properly I let you know. The tech-Pan does not like high contrast subjects
>that much, it is inherently contrasty as it is, but with only 25 asa on
"tap"
>one tends to shoot in bright sunlight and swear in the darkroom instead.
>Great film when it works, absolutely miserable when you blow it! I have
tried
>some with Rodinal too. Rate it at 12 ASA ( no misprint 12 asa) and develop
in
>Rodinal for 12 minutes with a dilution of 1 part Rodinal and 300 parts
water.
>Works fine.
> It is a film that is very exposure sensitive, shoot it like a Kodachrome
25,
>it has about the same forgiveness for under ( less than 1/2 stop) and
>overexposure ( no tolerance at all!!!), but when you hit it right it is
>incredible. No grain and smooth tones.
>Only way to deal with it is to adapt it to your own shooting style and be
very
>consistent with processing.
> Let me know how it works out and when I get some of my Tech Pan formulas
that
>I have been given, tested and tried out I will let you know about them.
> You will also know to no uncertain degree wether you are in focus and how
>good your lenses are. Remember too that Tech Pan has an extended
>redsensitivity and this can fool you if you use filters.
> Tom A