Usually, I shoot Ilford Delta 100 Pro and process in ID-11 diluted 1:1 with superb results. Sharpness is as good as it gets.

Recently, I processed some Plus X using ID-11 diulted 1:1. Sharpness is quite poor, compared to the results I get with Ilford Delta 100 Pro. Question: I thought ID-11 was essentially the same formulation as D76-is this not true?

BTW, this is more or less an academic question as I plan to continue my proven combo of Ilford film with Ilford developer, but I do have a hundred or so rolls of PXP 120 Professional in the freezer....thanks.

-- Greg Jones (greg.jones@wgint.com), October 29, 2001

Answers

I've never used Delta 100, but would assume that it's sharper than Plus-X just due to being a slow t-grain type. Anyway, FWIW, I've always had better results with Plus-X in D-76 straight, rather than 1:1. No idea why, or if that experience agrees with anyone else's, but it cleared up what I always thought were rather flat and mushy looking results.

-- Conrad Hoffman (choffman@rpa.net), October 29, 2001.

There is no questioning the fact that Delta 100 is sharper than PXP. It's simply better, period.

But if you have 100 rolls of PXP and you are looking for more sharpness, I suggest you try a high acutance developer. My first recommendation would be PMK. PXP in PMK is a great fit. You'll get maximum sharpness and wonderful tonality. PMK is available from the Photographer's Formulary.

If you want a more readily available developer, you can try Edwald Fg7 or Agfa Rodinal. Both would show an inprovement in sharpness over ID-11/D76.

-- Ted Kaufman (writercrmp@aol.com), October 30, 2001.

px and d76 is the combo i cut my darkroom teeth with, you can get some great prints from this combo, i like it now mostly for people shots w/ a green filter in good natural light.... anyway this combo can and does yield wildly varying results with developer age, temperature, and especially agitation, if you dont like the way this roll turned out just change your agitation and you will see a difference next time..... this will never look like a delta film but to me it has useful applications that keep a few rolls in my freezer

good luck,

joe

-- Joe Holcombe (joe1013_@excite.com), October 30, 2001.

First of all, yes, ID-11 and D-76 are essentially the same. Secondly, your results are about what one could expect from what I consider to be the also-ran of medium speed films. In terms of grain, sharpness, and tonal scale, every other medium speed film out there is better than Plus-X. Even some "off-the-beaten-path" films like Efke 100 are better. Kodak itself makes two films that are better in Verichrome Pan and T-Max 100.

I'm sorry you have so much of a film whose glory days were the 60s. However, as other posters have suggested, you can still make some good photographs if you choose your subject matter carefully, and portraits may well be the highest and best use of a film like Plus-X.

-- Brian Hinther (brianh@onewest.net), October 30, 2001.

Don't blame Plus-X. It's a nice film.

ID-11 and packaged D-76 aren't identical; you need to make some adjustment by experiment depending on the film and the dilution. The exact formula of packaged D-76 is not known although many speculations are around. Don't believe them.

It is true that Plus-X does not give the same resolving power as TMX. However, the difference is well within the factor of 2. If you have larger difference, there is something wrong. In my experience PX loses apparent sharpness in highlight especially when overdeveloped. If your neg is too dense, cut back development a bit. Also, PX can't take high temperature when wet compared to TMX which can be processed at a quite high temperature. Stick with standard 20C to 25C processing precisely, including final wash. I don't think it is the factor affecting your resolution though.

Although I don't use it regularly, I personally think Plus-X is the best product EKC has ever made and I like it a lot. If they make it on a modern thicker base I'll buy 100 rolls right away.

-- Ryuji Suzuki (rsuzuki@rs.cncdsl.com), November 01, 2001.