Getting the Best From: Ilford PAN F+ Pt 3 Increasing Film Speed with Crawley's FX15 - Great Match!
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- Опубликовано: 24 янв 2022
- The late Geoffrey Crawley was a master darkroom formulator and created some of the most well researched and effective developers of our time. In this video we look at FX15 which I think is the best of Crawley's speed enhancing acutance developers.
Featured in my book, this developer is a match made in heaven with Ilford PAN F+ and if you don't believe me then check this out!
If you want the very best from PAN F+ together with a very useful speed increase, then this is the video for you.
PanF Plus rated at 80iso
FX15 used 1+1 for 7 mins, agitation the first 39 seconds then 10 seconds each minute.
John
www.pictorialplanet.com
John, a masterful video! There are not many RUclips presenters in my opinion who match your work for accuracy and quality of presentation. Thank you so much. I am a longtime devotee of pyro developers but have to say you've convinced me to try FX-15, not only with Pan F+, but other films too. Thank you again.
Thank you for you kind words Barry! I'm glad you're going to give FX-15 a try. I'm sure it won't disappoint. Let us know how you get on especially in comparison to pyro.
Great series John, thank you so much for sharing !! Greetings from Rio fans !!
Greetings to Rio ❤️❤️
Another incredibly useful, informative, eye-opening tutorial. I now want to try FX-15. You should get combination from the Photographer's Formulary 😂. Your videos definitely make me buy the developers.
😂 that made me chuckle! Seriously though, FX 15 is a very good developer and one I'd recommend to everyone.
GREAT !! I have been using FX-15 for a LONG TIME ! I also use it one-shot @ 1+1. MY Pan-F is all OUTDATED although in fridge so I cannot get 80 ASA out of it. I also have some 120 Kodak PANATOMIC-X dated 1978 from the HUGE STASH of Film given to me by Sons of my Deceased Great Mate from the 1950;s -- Drool Drool ! It works well still at 32 ASA in RODINAL 1+50 for 17 mins @ 20oC
Panatomic-X Now that's a blast from the past!!
I used FX-15 (ie Acutol) for years, and I would like to (home brew) try it again.
You'll love it again.
You spoke of minimal agitation increasing contrast. Everything I've read is that it does the opposite. I often use semi-stand, and find that it drastically decreases contrast which makes sense. The developer being very dilute, not being agitated, gets exhausted on the highlights and is given more time to work the shadows (to make them brighter)
Hi Peter. Minimal agitation, with Pyrocat, increases micro-contrast considerably. Steve Sherman spent many years perfecting his minimal agitation technique and showed, quite conclusively, that the micro-contrast was increased. Now, with stand development you might lower the contrast of the whole negative, due to compensation, but with minimal agitation you are still agitating the film, albeit much less than normal. This enables N+ development so the reduction in agitation doesn't stop the film developing the highlights, as long as it gets agitated occasionally.
Very good mini series John. I have bought film loader to give me 35mm canisters of 12 frames ish so I can economically test out some of the knowledge you kindly share. I have gone with Kentmere Pan 100 as my first bulk roll.
You'll have some fun bulk loading Dave. I haven't used that film but wish you the best with it. What's going to be your first trial?
@@PictorialPlanet My first three rolls will be to see what under , normal and over exposure by 2 stops with bog standard development using HC-110, trying to use it up fast. Them I am going to do your film speed and match dev to film projects & re run the above again. As the weather is not on our side it will be done in the shed with controlled lighting. Keeps me off the streets 🙂
An interesting experiment!
@@PictorialPlanet or I will learn how to reload the film cans quicker lol 🙂
Very interesting comparison. I never tried the FX15 or Patterson's equivalent. I too think very highly of the Pan F, but I do sincerely believe it is about time that Ilford brought out their own equivalent of the FX15, after all the formula is now in the public domain. I wonder how Microphen would compare? Thank you.
Another great video John and its great to see the full potential of Pan F +. What is your opinion on a sheet film equalivant to Pan F +, as I know that manufacturing difficulties make it almost impossible for Ilford to manufacture this emulsion in sheet format?
I really don't know my friend.
Really enjoying this series thank you! I typically use Pyrocat HD but this is very tempting!, Did you stick with 5:30 at 20 degrees using stock solution? I'm also wondering what sort of agitation you give when developing this please?
I typically do landscape and I see you mention 1:1 or higher is better for that. I definitely need to do some research on times for this one!
I developed the PAN F+ (shot at 80ISO) in FX15 diluted 1+1 for 7 minutes 20C using Ilford agitation. My normal time is 8 minutes but I wanted to give those highlights a little care. I think 7-9 minutes is a good range for me.
Awesome, thanks John
Is the sheen on the film "physical development"? The potassium bromide then makes perfect sense.
Enjoyed your review of FX 15 and think my next developer - as I am trying to avoid pyro. Surprised at the high level of sodium sulphite 100g as compared with the Thornton 2-bath 80g. I assume the 1:2 or 1:3 dilution takes care of this issue and gives you more control over the mid-tones, as compared with Thornton?
Yes, the dilution of the developer controls the possibility of mushy grain. Interestingly, at stock strength it makes a very nice portrait developer and diluted 1+1 a lovely landscape developer. For tabular grain films (Delta, TMax) 1+3 works very well.
@@PictorialPlanet How would you compare the Thornton 2-bath with Crawley FX15 for the same film stock. Or is FX 15 primarily a low ISO/tabular grain developer only in your opinion? Perhaps more of a specialty developer?
Thanks Paul
FX15 is a developer suited to all films and film types. My preference over the years, for using it with PAN F, is because it increases sharpness, keeps good control over the classic fine grain, and enhances film speed making the film very usable in all kinds of situations. It does this for all films, slow, medium, and fast speeds. It could be described as an acutance developer with the tonality done right. Of course it wasn't Crawley's first acutance developer, FX1 and FX2 were those, but it was his best. I like it particularly at 1+1 where is shows a smoothness akin to D76 together with a sharpness that's not in your face but three dimensional. I think you can see it in the print and even the scan in the video. It doesn't have the obvious micro-contrast of pyrocat after semi-stand development but that's ok when you see FX15s pictorial gradation and it is very detailed. In earlier editions I show a photograph of a lifeguard taken with PAN F+, a full length shot on the beach, and zoomed right in on the image, you can tell the time on her watch! So no, it's not primarily a low iso/tabular grain developer. It's a first class all rounder, fit for any darkroom.
I tell a story in my book about this developer and how, going through the re-write, I nearly left it out of the new edition. But when I was looking at photographs I saw how many of my best prints were from negatives developed with FX15. That's how I knew it was one of the best.
Oh, compared to Thornton 2 bath FX15 is sharper and can be used for zone expansion and contraction (N+ and N-). That's difficult with the two bath which is much more of a compensating developer.
Very interesting again! But now we have 3 developer which are marvelous :) Pyrocat HD, Pyro510 and now FX15.
Will you still use Pyrocat or 510? And when yes, when? Or are you overwhelmed by this latest result and you now will only use FX15 for Pan F?
I always thought the minimal agitation with Pyrocat is good for taming the high contrast. But it seems the FX is softer? Or was so much softer light at this shoot then at the shoot for Pyrocat?
Testing films and developer can be so confusing and one has to take care not to test more than going out for shooting…
You are right about testing and shooting which is why I want to do it for you. In my book I give more detail on why I like options and in this case I'd like people who don't want to use pyro developers (because they are so poisonous) to know there's another non-pyro developer that can compete with ease. I agree that the FX is softer in a pictorial way. It's very nice indeed. I would say, aesthetically, the Crawley developer FX15 is the best of the three AND has the advantage of higher ISO. Others might like the more contrasty pyro look.
@@PictorialPlanet Thanks a lot. Yes the very contrasty look with black shadows and harsh lights is what frustrated me often with Pan F.
I will test it soon with P510 and semistand dev. first and when it comes not out as what i like, i will try that FX15…
Oh I missed that this was a series. I am still going to use Pyrocat but now I'm even more intrigued. Never tried FX15. Also I LOVE slow film. I have a tripod, I have time to kill and I'm almost always shooting landscape. I don't understand why people are so impatient with their hobby.
FX15 just loves PANF. In fact it's good with every film I've tested it on. Recommended!
@@PictorialPlanet Very good to know. With the way prices are going FX15 might be the move. I just paid $16 for perceptol which used stock would give me 4 rolls. Bananas.
Hello, John! I am so educated by your videos, I thank you for that. Would you mind to examine Adox CMS 20II film in the future? It is my favourite stock and very well in the lines of Pan F+, perhaps you like it.
Interesting, I need to try that film. Maybe I'll do a test sometime. How do you develop it?
@@PictorialPlanet First rolls with HC110, quite diluted in a stand development, not satisfactory due high gamma, but resolution was impressive. Like really impressive.
After that I used the proprietary adotech IV. With it the cutance is slightly improved, resolution remains absurd and gamma is tamed.
I would like to try a cheaper solution. Perhaps a pyro development? I don't know, but this film is beautiful, the tonality is unique and the spectral sensitivity is also one of it's kind.
I used to develop Technical Pan 25iso in Rodinal at 1+200 12 mins. I think I used Ilford agitation. Ever tried that?
@@PictorialPlanet I used rodinal for a while but with this film I felt that it was counterproductive due the loss of resolution typical of rodinal. I been reading about a quite forgotten developer named Perfection XR-1, apparently is really good for microfilm. Any thoughts?
I don't know if this developer.
Are we going to get a video of PanF in FX-55 aswell ? :)
I have no plan for such a video. In this series I wanted to show how to get the very best from PAN F+ both with a pyro type developer and a non-pyro developer. This covered people who did not want to use pyro type chemicals due to toxicity.
Great video John , can you mix me a couple of gallons !
Yep, I'll pop 'em down your way. Got to be warmer than here ;)
A quick question I’m planning to mix some FX15 up and you list Sodium Bisulphite as one of the ingredients but I have some Sodium Metabisulphite will this do instead.
Yes, use it at the same amount.
buenas queria preguntarle si es posible utilizar Methylphenidone en lugar de phenidone gracias y un saludo.
Yes, Dimezone S can be used instead.
Hi! I guess I missed something as to how you used Fx-15. Do you use it full strength or diluted? What would be the time with Pan F and I assume you are using stand or semi-stand for that boost in the ISO. Thanks.
Hi Roger. Thanks for this question. FX15 is a naturally speed enhancing developer and gives 2/3 of a stop over box speed with many films. To developer the film I used:
- PanF Plus rated at 80ISO
- FX15 used 1+1 for 7 mins
- agitation the first 30 seconds then 10 seconds each minute.
I added this info in the video notes.
Excellent video, John. I'm off to make a bottle for myself. A couple of questions - 1) About how long is FX15's shelf life if stored in a glass amber bottle? 2) Can you give us the time and temp you used to develop your roll of PAN F in FX15? Thanks again.
Glad you're going to try it Frank. It lasts at least 6 months in my experience. In this video I diluted it 1+1 and developed the PAN F+ (shot at ISO 80) for 8 minutes. More details on my website at: www.pictorialplanet.com/advanced_photography/fx-15_crawley_developer.html
I have mixed some FX-15 today, and want to develop some HP5+ (shot at ISO 400) shortly. I wish to go with 1:1 dilution you have used, but can't find the development time anywhere. Can you please help me by giving a lead in this regard? I would be grateful.
Moreover, is it possible to develop at 24°C, after adjusting the time?
Try 14 mins 1+1 20C Ilford agitation. Adjust for 24c.
Thank you for your prompt response!