Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/04/16

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Subject: [Leica] grainy Tmax 100
From: jls at runbox.com (Jeffery Smith)
Date: Fri Apr 16 18:17:08 2004

I always seem to defer to developers diluted a lot (like Rodinal and
Ethol TEC) as I'm sure the sulfite concentration is low. I remember
taking hours to get Microdol-X or D-75 to dissolve, and then using it
straight. And I hated those negs.

Thanks for the tip on the Courier. :-)

Jeffery Smith
New Orleans, LA


-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+jls=runbox.com@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+jls=runbox.com@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Mark
Rabiner
Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 6:58 PM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: Re: [Leica] grainy Tmax 100

On 4/16/04 3:55 PM, "Jeffery Smith" <jls@runbox.com> wrote:

> Mark,
> 
> I'm much less educated on developers than I was 25 years ago (memory
> fades). Is sulfite the "grain solvent" that is used in Microdol-X to
reduce
> grain (and sharpness)? I just ordered a few combination developers
from
> Photographer's Formulary (divided D-76, D-3, D-23) in hopes of getting
D-76
> results with less variation. I hope that the sulfite doesn't smudge
the
> results by dissolving grains.
> 
> Jeffery
> 
> 
All these developers (not sure about D3) have plenty of sulfite in them
but
is what we are used to. 100mls per liter but diluted 1:1 to make it 50.
Just
make sure you don?t use them straight. Microdol is thought to have a bit
more. Say 125 per liter. And another dissolving agent it's not salt but
something else I forgot what the deal is on that. But you'd want to
dilute
it 1:3 one of it's famous recommendations to get nice results with 35mm
without mush grain. Sharp smooth grain and an interesting easy to print
negs
with a distinctive brownish tone. This involves long developing times.
Perhaps shortened with these higher temperatures people (not me) are
using
now.

Ansel was said to have said that just about any developer is ok just as
long
as you dilute it right.

WC fields is said to have said never give a sucker an even break.

But the above opinions are my own and all I've got to say is "I'm not
the
only one!".

Oh and try the new Courier New with the filter turned on! Looks great on
my
monitor makes you feel like a writer!


Mark Rabiner
Photography
Portland Oregon



New-improved
http://rabinergroup.com/




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In reply to: Message from mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner) ([Leica] grainy Tmax 100)