If it works for you, then great! It wasn't developed without some
justification. However, I suspect that you might find the contrast under
certain lighting to be unacceptable. Post and share some results you
consider acceptable!

I use Diafine with TX to push film (I expose at 1200).
It doesn't really push - a Zone 1 test shows the film to be EI 400 or
about, so there's a lack of shadow details but there's not the classical
blown highlight look one gets from pushed film.
I really like the loks of night photos with this combo, and had good
results also with flash.

I've tried TMX with it @160 and really disliked the results - but then
I've never managed to get good negs from TMX (natural light).

Jorge

I've been using Diafine for about a year now have been getting good results
from it. I found that the neagitves have a consistant contrast.

The lack of any zone system controls mean that I don't use it as my standard
developer. I like using it for very low or very high contrast scenes which
are to far out for zone system expansion and contraction. It's also nice when
using roll film since I can just go into point and shoot mode without worrying
about scene contrast.

You're going to find it's a nice developer. It also lasts almost for ever. The
first batch I mixed about a year ago is still in regular use and developing film
without trouble.

    "Best" is relative. It's a good developer but no better than
any other and not as good as some. Therefore IMO it's not the best. I
would use D23 prior to choosing Diafine.

Regards,

  John S. Douglas, Photographer -  http://www.darkroompro.com
             Please remove the "_" when replying via email

Bill,
I've been using Diafine for maybe a year and a half, something like that
anyway.  I use it primarily with 4x5 and sometimes with 120.

I have found that for normal contrast scenes and higher it produces
excellent negatives.  For low contrast scenes the negatives are less good
(but still usable).  My main developer is TMax RS diluted 1:9 and the
results with Diafine and the normal to high contrast scenes is comparable.

I have found that while the Diafine instructions recommend using a higher
than normal EI I get good results shooting at the rated speed and this also
helps a bit with low contrast scenes.

In the end only you can decide.  Give it a try, it is relatively inexpensive
and last almost forever so if you only use it occasionally it won't go bad.
I have to admit it is fun to occasionally go into the darkroom and use
Diafine.  No worry about temperature, no worry about time and basically no
worry about agitation.

Sherman
http://www.dunnamphoto.com