Suggestions please - what dev to try next?

[Austerby]

I've just come to the end of a 5 litre stock of ID-11 that I've been using to develop Pan F, FP4, HP5 and Tri-X. I've been really pleased with the results - and I've tried stock solution, 1+1 and 1+3. Whilst I'm happy to stick with it, is there something else I should be considering for a change before I go and buy some more ID-11? -

[MartinP]

Generally I'd say keep on using the ID11

If you ever wanted to try the faster films at 1600asa, or more, then you could maybe buy a litre pack of Microphen to compare the results though.

[julio1fer]

There are lots of different developers around. Best option would be to keep it going with Id-11 or D-76 which give the same outcomes. Best way to go is to concentrate on a single film and developer.

For a classic look try Rodinal at 1:50 (for 100 ISO or lower films, traditional emulsions). Don't use this one with 400 ISO films.

For tabular grain films, try Kodak Tmax or Ilford DD-X with films such as Kodak TMX or Ilford Delta 100. Or Xtol with the same films.

For the classic photojournalist look try HC-110 with Kodak 400TX (Tri-X).

[EcoLeica]

I have had good results with Tetenal ultrafin

[oscroft]

Yep, ID-11/D-76 is an excellent developer, and if you're happy with it then I think you should stick with it as your main dev. But I can also understand the desire to try others, and I would agree with julio1fer that Rodinal and HC-110 would be worth trying (they're all I ever use these days myself).

Rodinal at 1:50 with slow films like FP4 can give a very traditional look (though I do think it is worth trying with ISO 400 films too - it will emphasise the grain, but the harsh gritty look that results can be good with some subjects).

I'd also suggest HC-110 too - it's probably my favourite developer, and is very versatile. If you use it very dilute (eg dilution H) with very little agitation you get a very strong compensating effect that can render high contrast lighting very nicely indeed (I hadn't thought of it as "the classic photojournalist look", as julio1fer puts it, but I do think that's a good way to describe it).

[Ronald M]

ID 11 is among the best there is. You can get super sharp, super smooth, or a nice blend by varying dilution as you discovered.

Nothing does a whole lot better in any department so spend you time making photos.

The only exception is Delta 400, not 100, that does better in xtol or DD x.

[gregg]

I'll second HC-110 at dilution H with very little agitation. Here are older threads with some discussion of these starting points (YMMV):

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...d.php?p=584047
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=42668

Start with doubling the dilution B times and agitating gently every 3 minutes instead of every 60 seconds to get a feel for the compensating effect.