Digital BW, The Print

marcsien77@... wrote:

>Has anyone had experience with using the TechXactol developer
>(listed on Barry Thornton's website) with TechPan film for digital
>scanning? ...

I, too, would be most interested in the combination.  However, I must admit
I'm skeptical.  As I understand it, the developer is a 2-solution approach
that is based on a formula that is geared to sharpness and edge-enhancement.

I was once a fan of Diafine and, as such, tried some 2-solution approaches
to Tech Pan.  I found it impossible to get even development with medium
format film.  Perhaps due to its very thin emulsion, I suspect that the
first solution is as much on the surface as in the emulsion.  As such, the
metering of that solution may not be very accurate relative to thicker
films.  The surface chemicals come off and wash around in unpredictable
ways.

I also think that Tech Pan may be better controlled by a very soft
developer, as opposed to one that is geared to sharpness.  In my experience
edge enhancement goes hand-in-hand with more grain and un-evenness (with
TP).

Frankly, my Xtol approach has proved to be unreliable -- requiring testing
of each Xtol batch.  Last year I was getting great results with Xtol 1:3.
Now 1:5 is closer, but not delivering the same shadow detail and contrast
(speed).  Having to re-calibrate my system with each developer batch is not
my idea of a good time.  So I'm going to see how Neopan 100 works.  It
claims to have the finest grain of any 100 speed film.  We'll see.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com