Lars:
I'm going to agree with you as to the characteristic of Rodinal being,
of what I was taught and have observed to be, a high acutance
developer.I think that Peter and Brian are experimenting for fun and we
should encourage them without making any value judgements as to the
esthetic or technical results of what they are doing.As far as grain is
concerned however I feel that I must disagree with you.The grain size is
determined in manufacturing of the film.Developers like Rodinal render
the edges of the silver crystals with sharp edges.This is what I call
high acutance.Yes it looks grainer than if a developer like Microdol is
used because so called fine grain developers usually have a solvent
effect on the edges of the silver crystals and render them with a
soft,feathery edge.Most developers like D-76 for example are a
compromise between these two characteristics.I personally do not like
Microdol because I have found that it does not last long in stock
solution and it does not give full emulsion speed.D-76 1:1 with Tri-X
works well for me and has for over 20 years.I use Rodinal 1:50 with
Verichrome Pan 120.I like 120 negs better than any 35mm combinations.
Grain is basically a characteristic of the film.If you don't believe me
compare 2475 Recording Film or T-Max 3200 to T-Max 100 or Agfa Pan
25.Use the same developer for all and do not over develop.Over
development will cause the silver crystals to develop larger than they
need to be.Heck, soup the slow film in Rodinal and develop the Fast film
in a fine grain developer of your choice.The fast film will always be
the grainiest.Yes, Rodinal makes it "look" grainier.
Rodinol is a good choice when you want to see what the silver crystal
of your film is.It will also show how well the film is resolving what
the lens is capable of.It also makes your prints "look" grainier but
sharper than if you used D-76 1:1 or Microdol for example.Soft "looking"
grain (also called fine grain) is but one consideration in developer
choice.Full emulsion speed and full tonal range(contrast) are important
too.Yes, Rodinol negatives look grainer than other negs souped in
standard developers but the size of the silver crystals is determined by
the film makers.Larger crystals mean more speed and more actual
grain,smaller crystals mean less speed and actual less grain.Developer
can only influence the edges of the silver crystals.So developer choice
can only influence the "apparent" grain of a neg or print from that
neg.The actual size of that grain has to do with the structure of the
silver crystals themselves before development while still in the halide
form.I wouldn't recommend Rodinol as a push developer either but if
someone is experimenting for fun or to get a certain look I think that
we should help them as much as we can with our own experiences and learn
from theirs.
Please use whatever film/developer combinations that please you, your
customers,and audience.We are all looking for a personal style and the
rules are fine up to a point.Don't believe everything Kodak claims for
their products.Find out for yourself what works for you.Get lots of
advice from people who's work you admire.I'm afraid that really fine B&W
photography may be nearly extinct soon and I will morn its passing.So do
some B&W darkroom work before the manufacturers cut us off at the knees
and discontinue our favorite films,papers,and chemicals.If you don't
know what a really good B&W print is go to the art museum and look at
the work of the masters like Adams and Weston.Photography is more than
just cameras.
-Gene Mayeda
Lars Bergquist wrote:
>
> WROTE BRIAN WILSON:
>
> >I think I'll be starting with my regular Rodinal, using the 50%
> >time/stop and see what the result is.
>
> Pushing with Rodinal will give you grain like macadam. Acufine,
> ore even TMax developer, will give you far finer grain. Remember,
> though films tend more or less to graininess, it is the development
> that actually creates grain!
>
> Vänliga hälsningar/Best regards
> Lars Bergquist
> Välkommen till/Welcome to ...
> <http://www.bahnhof.se/~timberwolf/>
>
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