Response to Kodak 3404/2402 aerial film for non-aerial use - developing?

What you need for pictorial photography is a very compensating developer. Aerial film is not comparable with "normal" B&W film, but is made for high contrast. In addition it has a much higher than normal red sensitivity, since it is intended to be shot through a dense red filter to eliminate haze. As you know, there is a vast array of developers that will "beat" high contrast films "soft". The developing times you will find on the package are for a high contrast mode and are not applicable for your use. What you basically have is a sort of large format microfilm with a high red sensitivity and a modified tonal rendition. Generally it is not advisable to use aerial film for pictorial photography, since the specific sensitation will give you some awkward results. The film is formulated not to give a natural colour rendition, but to separate well between the colours and tones that most commonly occur in pictorial use. In its overal sensitation it is somehow similar to so called "close infrared" material used in law enforcement and now sold by Agfa and Ilford for general photographic use, which is also intended to be used in combination with a dark red filter.

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