Response to Is Pyro good for full tonal range negs? and for these films...?

First, we must not confuse 'contrast' with 'subject brightness range. Subject Brightness Range (SBR) refers to the range of tones (or Zones) in the scene BEFORE the exposure is made. Contrast refers to the slope of the HD curve. We can compensate for wide SBR scenes by using the Zone System. (See AA's The Negative.) And we can control the slope of the HD curve by changing the devlopment. With PMK, the highlight areas are still luminous because half (or so) of the density is made up of stain and therefore is not opaque like 100% silver. Thus it can be 'printed through' to gain texture in the highlights, particularly with VC papers. Unfortunately, the Agfa films you are using are not suitable for PMK developer because they produce very little, if any, stain from the pyro. I suggest you use Ilford films (exclusively) and PMK. Divide the rated film speed by 2 (no matter what developer you use.) As for 'giving a poop about shadow detail,' when you look at a scene in nature, you see EVERYTHING. A really fine print requires good shadow detail. Get Gordon's book and a PMK kit. It will change your life.

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