Response to Has anyone tried FX-39 developer?

I use to use it with Delta films but am now using Ilford DD-X. However I still use FX39 for Tech Pan, as diluted 1+19 it gives a compensating effect which produces negs with a normal contrast range. How it compares with Technidol I can't say as technidol is an unreasonable price in UK. However, tests in Amateur Photographer back in the early 80s demonstrated that Paterson Acutol (FX14) was equal to technidol for tech pan and Paterson now recommend FX39 for that film. FX14 was/is more of an acutance developer like Rodinal, whereas FX39 is a fine grain developer specifically designed for Tmax/Delta films. The Paterson line is that Tech Pan is closer to modern Hi-tech films than FP4/PlusX, therefore FX39 suits better.Incidentally, that test in Practical Photography, ( a magazine I wouldn't wholly trust on objective measurement) thought ID11 best of all with "modern" films.

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