I'm looking for a film-developer combo to produce negatives with
- maximum sharpness
- minimum grain
- no loss or if possible with increase of film speed

I got 2 gallons (minimum order) of Kodak Flexicolor Fix at B&H for about $8.
ea. How is that different from Ilford RapidFix at $25. a gallon? As I
understand it they're basically the same - ammonium thiosulfate based fixer,
ie rapid fixer. In any case I'm using the Flexicolor Fix ...

I think Freestyle is selling a liquid paper developer that they claim
produced cooler, more neutral tones than Dektol. Does anyone have any idea
what it is?
-Lew

I'm having some trouble with a tendon in my thumb that makes it very
difficult to pop the end caps off my reloadable cassettes. I've never used a
cassette opener (with the exception of a church key), and I like to know if
they damage the caps or cassettes when they're used.

There's a certain look to some people's B&W images, which brings out
light and texture wonderfully.  The contrast is very high, but I'm not
sure that's the whole story.
Here's an example of what I mean, from Nikola Borissov's collection on

My favourite combo whas apx 100 develop with rodinal. Now agfa is dead.
Can you recomend an alternative?
I would like a developer with no problems (liquid, one use, long shelf life,
etc..)

This is the cheapest gold chloride I've found in case anyone's interested.
http://mostlymetals.com/

December 9, 2005, from Lloyd Erlick,
Lately I've been working on a backlog of
about two hundred rolls of 120 format black
and white film. At first I was doing them in

I've been exposing film, on and off, for 35 years.  Some times I am excited,
sometimes I'm disgusted and leave it alone.  I have a BFA in photography but
never pursued it professionally.  I'm competent exposing, developing and
printing B&W, color and transparencies, I understand ...

Does anyone use a solenoid to control flow or shut off wash water in their
sink? Can you recommend an economical 120v solenoid valve. I want to be able
to put the solenoid on my timer and walk away knowing that the water will
shut off in the allotted time on the clock. Thx.

I wonder what is the word for the action of enhancing contrast and
density of a negative (for example to try fixing an under exposure
problem).
In french the word is "renforcement".

Possibly no one here prints on real silver papers
anymore, or else a troll's confessions ("I also think
that 95% of all other people's images are crap!...")
is of more technical interest...

I'm using HC-110 and carefully following instructions, yet my negatives keep
coming out with too much contrast.  I've tried carefully controlling my
temperature and minimizing agitation, yet I find the negatives difficult to
print in most cases--it's always highlights or shadows, ...

Mine are washed out and lifeless, no sparkle or rich tones.
I'm looking for advice on the use of my basic flash set up on
an old H3 Pentax.  I'll use a 400 speed film.  Are there developers I
should be using for striaght on flash shots?

I noticed a few weeks back, B&H delisted rodinal on their website, and
they seemed to be the last of the big NYC photo shops to have it.
Anyone know of a reliable source? I'm in the NY/NJ area.