Am currently using Illford Pan F and Delta 100 for general landscape use and am well pleased with both films. Am about to experiment with Cachet Macophat infared as well. I shoot stricly 120 size and use a higher end diffusion enlarger. Any feedback on Zone VI "thin emulsion" film developer? This is a one shot, 2 part mix liquid developer. What is a "high acutance" film developer? Is it suitable for these films? I see a lot of mention of PMK film developer. Would this be a candidate for these films as well? Is there a source for this product? Can both of these developers handle an occational roll of Delta 400? I really want to keep my film type and developer at an absolute minimum/constant so I can continue to refine techniques in the field and printing. Appreciate any feedback? thanks mark smith

-- mark smith (msmith@fayar.net), May 29, 2002

Answers

I cant speak to the Delta 100, but Pan F+ in PMK is hands down my favorite film /developer combo for medium format landscape work. I like 8 min @70 degrees. Brook

-- Brook Martin (brookmartin1@attbi.com), May 29, 2002.

PMK is an excellent developer for all the Ilford films. It's a tough combination to beat. You might also consider Pyrocat-HD, the formulat for which you can find at unblinkingeye.com. My guess is either would be superior to Zone VI developer.

For PMK pre-packaged and the chemicals needed to mix PMK or Pyrocat- HD, check at http://www.photoformulary.com/

-- Ted Kaufman (writercrmp@aol.com), May 29, 2002.

Typically, thin emulsion films are higher in contrast (Tech Pan) and for pictorial results a very low contrast developer is used... ie Pota, Technidol ect. I would pressume that the Zone VI is the same. High Acutance is the sharpening of the outer edges of the grain rendering a "sharper" look to the print. Some people like it, some don't. I like it for some things. If you are familiar with Photoshop, it is like using your unsharp filter in a sense. To answer your question, yes it can be used for your films and it is wise starting out to keep things simple. Calumet carries the Zone VI stuff as I recall.

-- Scott Walton (walton@ll.mit.edu), May 30, 2002.

OK! I've searched all over the net for Zone VI "thin emulsion" film developer. Where do you find this stuff and information about it? The only "developers" I can find is for prints- sold through Calumet. If it exists, I'd like to add it to my knowledge base. Thanks

-- Garry D. Lewis (glewis@ftw.nrcs.usda.gov), May 31, 2002.

Gary: I purchased the Zone VI film developer from the Calumet catalog (at the same time I picked up the 5x7 VC Zone VI enlarger). I have developed a few rolls of Tmax 100 with this developer (a two part liquid mix). The results seemed pretty good, but I don't have the experience base with it, hence the question on this forum. Apparently thin emulsion developers are designed for slower B&W films when contrast can be a problem. I am now tending toward Delta 100 & PMK developer per recommendation of various threads. I know, indiv. tests are always best. thanks, mark smith

-- mark smith (msmith@fayar.net), May 31, 2002.