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Agfa Rodinal, first time user
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Hi all,
I’ve just used agfa rodinal for the first time and man what a developer, one thing, it’s expensive to buy this small bottle, mr cad in uk has it for £14 for 500ml + p&p, the info on the bottle seems very limited, does anyone know if this is one shot or can you reuse and add extra dev time?, I’ve a small bit left and want to stretch it as far as is possible, well until the postman arrives next week.
I always use it one shot. its as cheap as chips…
I bought 4 x 500ml bottles a few months ago for 32euro from macodirect.de, I mix it 1+50 and get around 50 roles of 120 film per 500ml bottle
You can use it again but its so cheap just one shot it, this way you will also get consitency… This developer lasts years in the press…
M
Hi Martin,
Thanks for coming back so soon, may of mixed it at 15 to 1, just did 5 rolls, only have a small bit left and was gonna try and stretch it a bit next time, I use lots of different types of film, still haven’t found the one and only will do everything everywhere film, am using delta 100 & fp4 plus a lot at the minute, one big reason for these two films is that they come in 24exp (35mm) and are easy to load onto a reel, any longer and I find that the moisture from heat and sweat in the changing bags must transfer onto the film and makes loading a 36exp a bit of hit and miss when you are winding on the last few inches.
1+15 is very strong rodinal, presume your not using the “special” version that is??
The strongest I would use normal Rodinal at is 1+25. I like 1+50 though better as it keeps allot of the detail in skys… up to you though, what ever works for you
If it is “Rodinal Special” your using then I would definatelly not one shot it. “Rodinal Special” I have heard works best when one role of film has already been dev’d in it…
M
What types of developing reels and tanks are you using? I use Paterson, and generally have no problem getting 36exp film onto the reels, except for when the ball-bearings get gummed up, but then cleaning them with an old toothbrush is pretty straightforward. ..now loading 120 film onto these reels has been a little more problematic for me, but that’s another matter :)
Are you sure you’re using Rodinal, by the way? There is another developer from Agfa that is marked as Rodinal Special, but this is a little different than the original Rodinal you hear bandied about the web so much, in fact Rodinal Special is just repackaged Studional. A great developer to be sure, used it as my first B&W developer, but just make sure you know which Rodinal you’re using as you might get caught out with developing times at some point if you don’t.
By the way, found Rodinal Special a fantastic, and very flexible developer. Most recommended times were for 1:15, but I had no problem using it 1:30, with times freely available on the web, and in general just a little longer to process. Tried to re-use this developer once, but it didn’t turn out well, and at 1:30 and at just more than a fiver a bottle in Gunnes, there was really no reason not to use it as a one-shot developer.
By the way if you have Rodinal, and want real economy, you should read up on ‘stand development’ which generally involves 1:100 dilution with Rodinal and pretty long development times.
Am using other developers at the moment, Ilfotec DDX mainly, and finding this does a fantastic job with the Ilford films I’ve tried it with (HP5, FP4, Delta 100, Delta 400). It’s pretty expensive though at about sixteen quid for a 1 litre bottle they recommend you mix 1:4, and think after I’ve used this bottle I’ll be moving to a more reasonably priced developer,
EDIT: interesting feedback Martin, re: Rodinal special – can you elaborate on what you’ve found works best for you with this developer (Rodinal Special)
Damien
damien.murphy wrote:
EDIT: interesting feedback Martin, re: Rodinal special – can you elaborate on what you’ve found works best for you with this developer (Rodinal Special)
Cant really comment on Rodinal Special to be honest, dont have enough experience with it for normal B&W film to sudgest dilutions etc…
This is my developer of choice though for infrared film but this is a whole other ball game. Its normally diluted around 1+15, see the massive dev chart link below to give you an idea of starting times for Rodinal Special/Studionalhttp://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.php?Film=&Developer=Studional&mdc=Search
M
Regarding Rodinal: Dilutiuons of 1:50 make this developer dirt cheap and even at 1:25 its still great value. I have also used it at 1:14 for certian films and it works a treat. I have seen prints by Les McLean made from Delta 3200 rated at 25,000 and dev’d in Rodinal 1:10, BEAUTIFUL.
Regarding re-using Rodinal Special: Talk to Louise Gunn as she advocates using it a second time round for best results. 1:30 is safer to use and more economical than 1:15
Peter
If its real Rodinal you can use it up to 1+100 or even 1 + 200. Google Stand development. 1+50 is my norm for average subjects like landscapes but 1+100 would suit a still life. At less than 1+50 you will get grain the size of golf balls which can be attractive. :lol:
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