Diafine

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martin henson

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I have used Diafine on medium format to great effect, keeping a higher shutter speed with large format gear can be quite helpful at times, has anyone used it with Kodak Tri-x 320 TXP sheet film at the recommended iso of 1200 ?
 
I haven't - I've tried very few developers in fact despite over 50 years of developing - at a quick count up, only 6, and Diafine isn't on the list.
 
I found it works great on medium format with amazing detail in the shadows and highlights with no intervention in dev time, but never tried it on sheet film, I will have to mix up the Diafine chemicals and have a go, nothing ventured nothing gained:)
 
I use Diafine along with Pyro, for a small number of sheets I like the speed and economy of Diafine - 15 minutes start to finish. I do not increase film speed. When I use Pyro, I use infra red goggles to develop by inspection.
 
Bob you say you do not give a speed increase using Diafine, do the negatives become rather dence at box speed or does the compensating effect offset that somewhat, with medium format I only worked at box speed on dullish days, your thoughts on this would be appreciated
 
I use mostly HP5 meter set for Asa 400 and try to place deepest shadow in zone 3, rarely do I have the highlights blocked
 
Thanks Bob I will try a couple of sheets , one at box and one at 1200 see what happens
 
Of all the processes that have caused me great grief is which developer. It has brought creativity to almost a standstill worrying what developer to use and when. My go to developer for roll film is diafine. Great shelf life, very good range. At this time I shoot at box speed. However I have gone to PMK pyro for my sheet work. The reason I can control contrast N+/-. I don't beleive you can do that with diafine. If those two processes go away Hc-110 works well.
 
Doug have you tried it at 1200 as recommended on bright days, I was with the understanding that its better to use at box speed on cloudy less bright days, is there a reason you are rating at box speed or is it just your preference
 
I wish I could give you a well thought out, documented answer. Since I am scanning the negs I guess I may be overcoming the higher densities with the overexposure.
 
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