I am surprised that not many people talk about the Microdol-X 1+3 combination. I have been using it lately with the 6X7 format along with APX100 and HP5+ and so far the results are very promising, there is definitely a good balance between acutance - fine grain - and gradation. I would like to share my experience with any one who likes to know more about, plus I can scan and send you a sample picture too. Any feedback from another user on this combo would be highly appreciated. Best regards, Stavros

-- Stavros V. (stavros@athensintercon.gr), December 21, 2000

Answers

Response to Micorol-X 1+3

There is no doubt that Microdol is a superb developer. I've used it in the past and loved it!

-- Scott Walton (scotlynn@shore.net), December 21, 2000.

Response to Micorol-X 1+3

Indeed, Microdol-X and Plus-X are a combination made in heaven (ISO 80). Also Tri-X @ ISO 200 is really nice stuff.

-- lsmft (bmitch@home.com), December 21, 2000.

Response to Micorol-X 1+3

Hello Stavros! Please send me a scan of your APX100 and Microdol-X results! I'm still looking for a great developer for APX100 to use instead of Rodinal when I need finer grain.

-- Patric (jenspatric@mail.bip.net), December 21, 2000.

Response to Micorol-X 1+3

I haven't used Microdol in years (I'm an Xtol guy now) but 1:2 and 1:1 dilution also give interesting speed/grain compromises. I found 1:3 too slow working.

-- Tim Brown (brownt@ase.com), December 23, 2000.

Tri-X in Microdol-X 1:3 at ei 250 was my standard film/developer combination for many years. I also used quite a bit of Plus-X in Microdol-X 1:3 at ei 64 with excellent results. I have switched to Ilford 400 Delta in XTOL 1:1 at ei 320. I would not hesitate to recommend Microdol-X to anyone.

-- Robert Orofino (rorofino@iopener.net), December 24, 2000.

My comments are a little late comming, but I'll contribute my thoughts on APX100 and Microdol-X 1:3.

I fumbled across this combination quite by accident. I haven't done any formal tests, but for my work, it is THE perfect film/devloper combination.

I soup at 70C for 20 minutes with a two minute presoak. Continious agitation for the first minute, then 3 tank inversions (about 5 seconds) every 30 seconds for 0:30 to 10:00, then I back right off to 3 tank inversions every minute from 10:00 to 20:00. Water stop and fix as usual.

-- William Gower (w_gower@sympatico.ca), April 12, 2002.

Are Microdol-X and Ilford Perceptol similar?

Do they sacrifice a little acutance to obtain finer grain?

-- Ed Hurst (BullMoo@hotmail.com), April 15, 2002.

Ed: Yes, they are similar. Speed and sharpness are compromised for grain when used full strength. With dilution speed, grain and sharpness are increased. Diluted 1+3 Microdol-X and Perceptol are about like D-76 or ID-11 in terms of speed/grain.

-- Tim Brown (brownt@flash.net), April 15, 2002.

British photographer Barry Thornton recommends Perceptol or Microdol- X diluted 1:3 for use with HP5+. He says that by diluting the solvent effect of the sulfite is diminished and the developer becomes a high acutance formula. This is due to the nature of Metol, which is the only developer in these formulations. The examples in his book (The Edge of Darkness), even accounting for reproduction, are very impressive. He also gives a formula for a similar developer, a two bath, which also has impressive results.

-- Dave Karp (davekarp@ix.netcom.com), April 18, 2002.