Universal Developer | Diafine Developer Review
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- Опубликовано: 9 июл 2024
- If there is the closest thing to a universal developer in the film photography world, that developer is Diafine. If you’re thinking, “Wait, aren’t all developers universal?” You are right; a B&W developer will develop many different film stocks. But it doesn’t often happen that two other film stocks, shot at different speeds, can be developed simultaneously. There are some examples of cross-over, but only a few. Diafine uses three main development times and a couple of unique combinations. These are shared across many different film stocks that allow you to develop multiple rolls shot multiple ways in the same tank. You can also shoot many film stocks at a faster EI than listed on the box. But there are a couple of interesting aspects of Diafine. First, it is a two-bath developer, and A and B, but you use them separately. And second, it can last forever and take a lot of films before totally exhausted. I will also admit some scepticism about Diafine’s claims, but I can honestly say that scepticism is long gone after seeing how well it performs.
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0:00 - Introduction
0:49 - The Photowalk with RPX 100
5:40 - Diafine, Briefly
11:57 - Developing the Roll(s)
16:02 - Diafine Qualities
18:12 - Closing
20:47 - Thanks & Some Housekeeping 
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I've used Diafine on and off for nearly 50 years; with the old Tri-X it was magic. I appreciate both the film speed boost and the acuteness (I truly dislike the solvent developers like D-76 which leave mushy grain) as well as the extreme versatility. It even outlasts Rodinal in storage! The oldest I have ever used was nearly 7 years old and I admit, it wasn't quite as active but it was still good.
Not sure how many rolls can be processed through a one-gallon kit but my guess is, that on a per-roll basis, it is one of the less expensive developers.
I have mixed Patrick Dignan's and Steve Anchell's formulas for Diafine-type developers and, well, they are not the same, at least with the films I tested, as measured with an X-Rite densitometer.
I have heard amazing things about Diafine and the old tri-x! And good to know about the age. Thanks for sharing and for watching 🍻
OMG! Let’s get you more ink for that whiteboard marker! I’m in for 20 bucks right away.
Okay! That made me laugh! The trouble with using the markers I find around campus! Thanks for watching and the laugh 🍻
I just souped 6 rolls of Tri-X 320 that expired 2006 in Diafine. They look completely normal. I do find the frames shot at ASA 1250 are a little thin (to my eye and how I print - but probably would scan like gang busters - I don't scan, it's print or nothing) I have settled on ASA 1000 for the other 5 rolls and I like the look. The Tri-X 400 I'm shooting now (fresh) looks OK at 1600 but I am drifting down towards 1250 (half stop) to keep more detail in the shadows, given the high lights don't blow out with Diafine.
Nice! Tri-X and Diafine rock! Thanks for watching 🍻
Very informative video. Sounds like an ideal developer for any photographer who wants to develop their own B&W film. I noticed you didn't mention temperature so I take that to mean you develop at room temperature whatever that happens to be. You also mention no stop bath but a fixer. What fixer do you use? Lastly, do you use Photo Flo at the end?
Thanks! Yes, most of the time I’m working at 20C/68F. Stop bath is simply water. My fixer is Kodak Rapids Fixer and I do use PhotoFlo as the final step. Thanks for watching 🍻
Great video. I appreciate your instructions.
Thanks! Glad to be of help, and thanks for watching 🍻
Hi,
My main question concerns fp400. Have you tried Diafine with Fomapan and in particular Fomapan 400...? and which ISO/ASA did you use?
How is the grain compared to Xtol?
my thanks, kind regards
Sadly I have not tried either combo personally. But looking at examples online they are about equal based on format, both shot at box speed, asa-400. Thanks for watching 🍻
Nice review of a developer. Thank you
Thanks for watching 🍻
Dearest Editor Alex, I've done exactly as you did with trying to fit a 120 reel in with 2 35mm. I feel your pain.
🤣 keeps ya humble! Thanks for watching 🍻
Can you post the Data Sheet please.
You can find the datasheets for Accufine, Diafine, and ACU-1 over on Digital Truth: www.digitaltruth.com/products/acufine_tech/acufine.pdf
Where did you order your Diafine from? It seems near impossible to find in North America.
I got the last bag from Argentix.ca, an online shop based out of Quebec, Canada. But yeah super hard to get in NA! Thanks for watching 🍻
@@AlexLuyckxPhotoArgentix is great. That’s where I get my Adox developers from, when they are in stock 😂
I think you can find it at Adorama.
Why no wash beetween A and B ? Is that important ?? thx
Yes, it is important, and there is a lot of mixed messaging online about this. Some say it's okay; others say no. But the documentation says no, so that's what I go with. The reason is that if you rinse between Bath A and Bath B, you'll dilute/remove what's left of A on the emulsion, preventing B from working properly. This will result in uneven and poor performance and developing action. Hope this answers your question and thanks for watching. 🍻
Thanks. That helps a lot !
I rinced my 1 first Roll and it was underdevelloped so maybe it have something to do with it. I will avoid it on my second roll and see what difference it makes.
Thanks a lot from France 👍
Nice informative video. In the Netherlands we do not have Diafine. Only some copy that Bellinni makes. And of course happy holydays.
Thanks, it’s hit and miss in North America for availability. We only have a few Bellini products this side of the pond. Merry Christmas, thanks for watching 🍻
A comparison between the two would be interesting. I have used Diafine quite a bit in the past.