Divided developer pros and cons

[jkates]

There is some data on the Stoeckler 2-bath developer available on this site. Go to the main page, and click on the Stoeckler Two-Bath link. The data indicate that some development takes place in the first bath, but that the pH and duration of the second bath have a larger influence on the development of both the shadows and the highlights. However, for all development times there is a clear bend in the D log E curve where the slope for the shadows is steeper than the slope for the highlights.

Jim Kates

[Dietrich Floeter]

I am test processing in D-23 using a few different methods from a variety of sources. Using the Stoeckler method, I have found a need for a 1 ⅓ stop exposure increase is required. Jim Kates writes that no increase is necessary and maybe someone has a notion as to why my exposures are so long. Could it be the Borax versus Kodalk?

[stawastawa]

I assume your indication of needing more exposure is based on developing the same shot in 'regular' developer.

d23 is slow to act, so maybe you just need more time...

curious

[esearing]

observations from my limited experience with HP5 and Diafine vs HC-110

Diafine - can expose at box speed for normal contrast scenes and box - 1/2 stop for bright scenes. Negative is very flat for scenes of low contrast or similar tones
- recommended for scanning of negatives since it tends to compress the contrast overall.
- I use it for roll films where I tend to "bracket".
- I also use it for new film testing or when I have limited time since I can not always take the time to control temperature.
HC110
expose at 1 to 1.5 stops slower than box speed(over expose), works for all scenes but surpasses Diafine for low contrast scenes.

For sheet film 4x5 negatives in normal contrast scenes with equivalent exposures there is not much difference . Extreme contrast I prefer the Diafine, low contrast I prefer hc-110.

Enlarging on Ilford multigrade paper the Diafine negatives usually need a higher contrast filter than the HC-110 negatives.