The opposite of Rodinal

[Flotsam]

I have always liked Tri-X in FG-7 mixed with a 9% Sodium Sulfite solution. Relatively sharp with smooth grain.

[bjorke]

I was an advocate of FG-7 for a long while too (until I couldn't get it in Hawaii for hazmat issues -- JUST LIKE RODINAL!!!). There's also a variant for tabular-grain films, it was a longtime favorite with Delta (my standard kits in the early 90's: rodinal/tg-7/hc-d)

[bmac]

To clear things out. The Church of Rodinal will just ignore this thread and pretend the question was never asked.

*sad priest*

Morten

I thought for sure Morten's answer to this question would simply be "death"

[Lee Shively]

"If I want to try the opposite of Rodinal, i.e. a lower acutance, very fine grain developer, what does everyone like?"

Not that I like it much but Microdol-X used full strength is definitely a finer grain, less sharp developer. I don't know if it's still available--I haven't used it in many years.

[Ole]

Well, ya know, good old D-23 has so much sulfite in it that it smooths and reduces the grain quite well. It is one of the simplest formulas around.

I'm with you on this. D-23 - with optional borax afterbath - is has the simplest of all formulas (opposite of Rodinal), gives very low acutance (unlike Rodinal), smooth "mushy" grain (unlike Rodinal) and is very, very cheap (unlike Rodinal). If used with the borax afterbath it lasts just about forever (as working solution, unlike Rodinal)...

[Doug Bennett]

Have you gone to unblinkingeye.com to catch the article about adding Ascorbate to Rodinal to reduce grain?

I just did. Also of interest was the Rodinal/Xtol mix. I might just give that a shot.

[Mongo]

Although I'm doing everything in either Rodinal or Pyrocat-HD these days, another possibility for the characteristics you're looking for is undiluted Perceptol. It was my old favorite for these sorts of things before I discovered Pyrocat-HD.

[Flotsam]

I've really been intrigued about the references on APUG to Pat Gainer's PC-TEA. Sounds like it's right up my alley (Ouch! I hate that metaphor).

Might be time to put an order in to the formulary.

[ronlamarsh]

Try some simple D-23 with a 3:1 dilution you should get great midtones for portrait work. It is rumoored that D-23 was first formulated by kodak for use with studio lighting.

[fschifano]

Microdol-X is still available and it is probably the closest thing you'll get to an opposite of Rodinal. I don't like it much either since I don't have any real use for it. XTOL or D-76 fit the bill perfectly for me.