Acros questions

[rkarlsba]

Hi

- Doing a little reading, it seems a good idea to start off this project with Acros. I've seen some people recommend XTOL for this, but then, the Acros data sheet says "For finer-grain development, Microfine is recommended". Does anyone have a link comparing results from the two, or even more?

- I have access to a Jobo minilab for easier film development, and I don't have an ordinary daylight tank for 4x5", so I'm considering using that. The problem, however, is that the Jobo uses 24 degrees celcius _only_. Would you think this will be a problem, losing some tone due to temperature rising, or should that be compensable with more deluted developer?

- As far as I can see, the Acros is only available in QuickLoad packages. Can I use these with a Polaroid back, or do I need something else?

Thanks for all help

roy

[G Benaim]

You can get it from uniperls as sheet film, will still come ahead price-wise even w the shipping.

[Ted Harris]

First, yes .... you can shoot the film in a Polaroid 545 series holder. Second, you might want to check aagain to be sure that the Jobo unit you area going to use has only the 24ºC setting. I am not familiar with the workings of the CPE/CPA/CPP series of units but the ATL units have variable temperature controls and I would think that the CPx units do as well, at least the ability to switch between 24ºC and 20ºC ... giving you mor epaaropriate temperatures for color and B&W processing respectively.

[rkarlsba]

Second, you might want to check aagain to be sure that the Jobo unit you area going to use has only the 24ºC setting.

The Jobo's manual says it uses 24ºC for B&W and 38ºC for colour. There is no temperature switch.

roy

[Ron Marshall]

Acros in D76 1:1 gives such fine grain that it is almost invisible with a loupe. But I intend to try XTOL soon since Anchell and Troop, in the Film Developing Cookbook, recommend it as the best developer for tabular grain films like Acros.

Microfine is a Fuji developer and is not available locally so I have no experience with it. But based on my experience with D76, it or XTOL will give you fine enough grain for a 10x enlargement.

Sheet Acros is available from Megapearls in Japan. Google their website.

[rkarlsba]

Where can I find quickload Acros for a reasonable price? I found one online shop in the US, but they were charging something like $85 for P&P, without insurance, and I find that a little too much for a pack of film sheets...

[Diane Maher]

Robert White in the UK is running a special on Fuji Quickloads at the moment. See here:

http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/filmf.htm#LabelQLoad

Diane

[Ted Harris]

First on the temperature .... you oare not doing any damage if you process at 24C and dillute the developer as you mentioned earlier.

As for film prices ...the Robert White prices are still steeper than US prices. I just checked Badger Graphics (www.badgergraphic.com) and they are charging $46 for QL's and $25 for regular 20 sheet boxes. I ship to Europe all the time ansd shipping for say five boxes should not cost you more than $20 or so. Jeff at Badger will be able to tell you and they, along with Midwest, are the best in the US.

[Ed K.]

Acros can be processed with good results at 75F. You can adjust your time ( compensate for the higher than typical processing temperature ) by using the guidelines on the Massive Dev Chart as a starting point. Remember to also to lower most recommended times by 15-20 percent for rotary processing ( check for this in your starting data ). Use appropriate dilutions to lengthen development time to a manageable level if times are too short. A prerinse of 2 minutes ( shorter at higher temp ) really helps to remove excess dyes which some developers don't take out. I don't know how much shorter to make the wash time, however I've had no problems using a clearing agent and recommended times.

You will probably find out that you need to test your setup before using it on a project. Acros builds up density in a hurry - any overdevelopment really shows up fast. That said, at generally recommended development times and recommended ISO speed, Acros has a lot of contrast. It does pull well, and rating it at 50 then reducing development even more allows it to capture more range than most papers can print. If you don't mind contrast, or if you need extra contrast, Acros pushes very, very well, which helps for night time exposures.

In addition to the other developers mentioned, good tones will also happen in Ilford DDX, which is expecially good for a 1-2 stop push of Across.

[rkarlsba]

well, with http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/ charging £53 and http://www.badgergraphic.com/ charging $46, it shouldn't bee to tough a choice. But... The lattere still charge fscking $75+ for shipping it to norway

I checked, but Fujifilm norway have stopped importing it. Bummer....