Comparitive efects of D76, HC110, Xtol, Gainers TX

greenspun.com : LUSENET : B&W Photo - Film & Processing : One Thread

Good day everyone,

What would be the leading characteristic differences of the aforementioned developers on Tri-X 400 (120) film? I've seen photos by different photographers at various times who have used one of those developers with Tri-X but NEVER seen any side by side to compare. I shoot mainly people, not landscapes. Best to all! Andy

-- Andy Vance (andevan@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002

Answers

Why not run some tests and the post your results? Then we'll all know...FWIW, I prefer XTOL @1:1 for Tri-X. the careful tests I made showed an improvement in sharpness and a slightly longer tonal scale over D-76 1:1.

-- Mark Sampson (MSampson45@aol.com), April 05, 2002.

I've used all but the Gainers. I give the edge to Xtol, but...you'll probably see as much variation among different peoples' technique as between these developers. Pick one and learn to adjust your technique to get the "look" you want. Don't try another until you're sure you've squeezed out all the quality from what you're using. This could take years.

-- Tim Brown (brownt@flash.net), April 05, 2002.

Depends on which dilution (straight, 1:1, 1:3) for D-76 and XTOL. HC- 110 also has a lot of different dilutions available. Don't know anything about Gainers.

XTOL and D-76 both have fair amounts of sodium sulfite (less apparent grain and less sharpness), but this can be substantially offset at higher dilutions. At one time, HC-110 did not contain sodium sulfite and this was one of the reasons Ansel Adams used it (of course, with 8x10 and 4x5 negatives, grain was not a concern). However, I have heard that current versions of HC-110 may have sodium sulfite, but I am not sure about that. HC-110 (dilution B) and Tri-X is a classic combination that has been used by many photographers. Of course, for portraits you may prefer a softer look.

Of course, when the new Tri-X comes out later this year, things may change a bit.

-- Michael Feldman (mfeldman@qwest.net), April 05, 2002.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ