View Full Version : My Diafine Arrived Safely
Mixed it up tonight and will process a roll tomorrow. I figured that for those of you waiting for yours I would post the instructions on the box. It appears, per Doug's posts, that the agitation recommendations are a bit aggressive.
My plan,
Pour in Solution A and bump off any bubbles, agitate once after a couple minutes.
Drain
Pour in Solution B and bump off any bubbles, one very gentle agitation after a couple minutes, bump, and watch the clock.
I caught the recommended film speeds on this scan too. I have a roll of 400TX in my camera now rated at 1250, which I read was a good time for Diafine. I will shoot the next roll at 1600 and compare the results.
back alley
04-05-2005, 15:03
doctor rover, makin' soup in the darkroom!
joe
That sounds like a good agitation plan... Diafine does NOT do well with "a whole lotta shaking goin' on".
Neat thing about Diafine is you can vary the ISO at any time during the roll and not worry about developing problems. Shoot the Tri-X at 400-600 for flat lighting, 1250 for fairly contrasty stuff and 1600 for night shots. All on the same roll if you like... won't cause any problems in developing and will help Diafine's tendency to produce somewhat flat negatives in flat light.
If you are scanning the negatives for digital darkroom work instead of traditional wet darkroom processing, then just set the meter to ISO 1250 and forget it. A simple curves adjustment in PhotoShop will take care of any and all contrast variations you might then encounter.
I love Diafine. And Tri-X. Yeah, love'em. :cool:
Tom
"Shoot the Tri-X at 400-600 for flat lighting, 1250 for fairly contrasty stuff and 1600 for night shots."
Wow! Sounds like the zone system to me. And all on the same roll of 35mm film. Great stuff!
Thanks for that suggestion, Tom!
I think you have a good plan, rover! Looking forward to seeing your results.
Tom; good stuff for sure!
Yeah Rover !!! I LOVE that stuff, I even like the smell. I can't recommend it highly enough to people willing to give a try to home processing by first time.
As it's said, EI is not that important if you keep it in a range around the recommended speed.
I use the agitation scheme recommended in the box without problems, but take care that the temp. of the stop bath (water), is more or less the same than the one of developer and fixer (I simply keep them all at room temp).
Time to dust off that 50/1.2 ;) Which I also have to do myself, btw.
I can't believe they don;'t sell this mythical developer in the UK. Aarararagggggghhhhhhh!!!!!
ijonas,
Check your PM.
Tom
don sorsa
04-06-2005, 08:42
When you're shooting on a sunny day, you could consider using plus-x @250 instead of tri-x for a very nice look.
Way to go, Rover! I'll be watching for a progress report.
Gene
The found film swims tonight.
I am thinking about getting the Film Developing Cookbook Don to address some of these exposure and developer issues. I usually rate films at box speed or 1/3 stop below, this Diafine experience is going to be all new to me. It does look like Plus X and FP4 become more of an everyday film when developed in Diafine. Tri X with a yellow filter shot at 1250 though isn't too fast for general use.
Goodyear
04-07-2005, 12:04
ijonas,
Check your PM.
TomNow I'm curious what that PM said... :)
Don and Rover,
If ISO 250 works for FP4 in Diafine, I may switch away from my HP5 standard.
don sorsa
04-07-2005, 12:21
Frank - Diafine is the only developer I use, laziness and lack of time-space as much as anything else. I've only shot FP4+ maybe twice because plus-x is cheaper at the local shops. However, now that the sun is starting to shine on our part of the world, I'd suggest investigating Diafine and FP4+ @ 250. I think you'll like the results. Lex at photo.net has a few samples in one of his folders . I'll look to see if I can find my own samples, somewhere. http://www.photo.net/shared/community-member?user_id=172915
Hey:)
Talking of new chemicals to play with, I've just gotten a shipment of Precysol (http://www.monochromephotography.com/developer.htm) and Alkali - Fix (http://www.monochromephotography.com/fixer.htm).
Never used a staining dev before so I'm looking forward to seeing some results.
The Alkali fixer seems to have a short shelf-life once diluted, so I might have to save up my films and process in a big lump!
Salud!
ManGo
I've been wanting to try a tanning developer for a while now. I've been looking at pyro-based developers. Looking forward to seeing what your work looks like. More and more of these newer developer and "boutique" formulations and reformulations are requiring an all alkali process. I've never had a problem using an acid stop bath before, but I understand the concerns.
I am thinking about getting the Film Developing Cookbook...
I highly recommend it and the companion Darkroom Cookbook, which adds nicely to the Film Developing Cookbook. Lot's of information, not the best layout, horrible index in the Film Developing Cookbook, but a GREAT source for all things chemical in the darkroom. :D
Now I'm curious what that PM said... :)
Nothing sinister. :D
I did two things:
One, offered to buy some and ship it to him if necessary and two, directed him to Huron Camera.
Huron ships internationally via the post, which is WAY cheaper than Adorama, et al, shipping via courier.
In my experience, the post also has less customs hassles.
Anyway, he went to Huron and ordered there and has about 20 years worth or so of Diafine en route. Well, maybe that was a SLIGHT exaggeration :) , but he will not need any for quite a while.
Tom
PS: Standard disclaimer applies. I neither sell this stuff commercially nor do I have any financial interest in Huron Camera.
o0dano0o
04-07-2005, 15:56
Frank - Diafine is the only developer I use, laziness and lack of time-space as much as anything else.
I second the motion. It even works for bluefire....yesssssss....
I highly recommend it and the companion Darkroom Cookbook, which adds nicely to the Film Developing Cookbook. Lot's of information, not the best layout, horrible index in the Film Developing Cookbook, but a GREAT source for all things chemical in the darkroom. :D
I just ordered the books, should have something new to read some time next week.
Goodyear
04-08-2005, 00:36
Huron ships internationally via the post, which is WAY cheaper than Adorama, et al, shipping via courier.
In my experience, the post also has less customs hassles.That's largely the kind of thing I hoped it said. Got a link?
/edit: Man, I'm just too lazy. I googled it :D
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/659
120 film though.
BTW each time somebody mentions how to get Diafine shipped internationally without paying a fortune I point them to Huron Camera. Very nice service as well.
Hi all,
Just another happy Huron Camera customer here. I ordered Diafine last Friday and received it this morning! Including shipping this was cheaper than a bottle of DD-X off the shelf down the road, and quicker than mail order film in the UK.
If you want some don't hesitate! Can't wait to see how it compares to the home-brew and diluxol vitesse I've been using. I might have to take the afternoon off...
Tom
I've never seen Diafine here in Australia. I asked around at all my usual haunts and no-one had even heard of it. I suspect there may be some problem with shipping it here, although I can't imagine why. After finding the recipe on the net, I rang a local chemical firm to see if the ingredients were readily available in appropriate quantities (they were) and if there was any chance a rank hack like me would blow myself up (not likely). So I can make my own for about AU$200 for about 5 litres of each solution. I'm considering it, but it seems pricey compared to my usual developer, HC-110.
Does anyone know why it's not available here?
It's also hard to find here in Canada. I think why few would stock it, is because it's reuseable, and 1gal would last a _very_ long time. Just order the 1gal size from Huron or Freestyle. It should still be cheaper than DIY.
I've never seen Diafine here in Australia. I asked around at all my usual haunts and no-one had even heard of it. I suspect there may be some problem with shipping it here, although I can't imagine why. After finding the recipe on the net, I rang a local chemical firm to see if the ingredients were readily available in appropriate quantities (they were) and if there was any chance a rank hack like me would blow myself up (not likely). So I can make my own for about AU$200 for about 5 litres of each solution. I'm considering it, but it seems pricey compared to my usual developer, HC-110.
Does anyone know why it's not available here?
$200.00 dollars Australian? You are kidding me!!
Diafine is not restricted in any way from shipping internationally. Just go to Huron Camera's web site and order a batch. It is a dry powder in two cans (Par A and Part B).
Huron will ship via international mail instead of the WAY more expensive courier methods so this should be MUCH cheaper for you.
Tom
onnovisser
07-10-2005, 03:41
Diafine is available in the Netherlands now, go to www.fotohuisrovo.nl, it's in english as well as Dutch. got my package yesterday! Can't wait!
grts.Onno
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