Question: B&W Film Chemistry: I was going through some old boxes and found 6 rolls of undeveloped B&W film: 4 Ilford FP4, 1 Kodak Tmax 400 and 1 Kodak Tri-X 400. I still have my old...

Blues Dude

I was going through some old boxes and found 6 rolls of undeveloped B&W film: 4 Ilford FP4, 1 Kodak Tmax 400 and 1 Kodak Tri-X 400. I still have my old film developing gear, but it's been decades since I last processed any film. Is there one developer, stop bath and fixer that I can use on all these films? Thanks for your help and suggestions.

Ourspolair

D72 would probably work on all of them T-max and Tri-x 400 are essentially the same. Ilford FP-4 has a similar formulation. Stop bath and fixers are not critical. Everything is time and temperature - dependant (but you know that anyway). Have fun but beware, if they have not been kept in a temperature -controlled environment you may get some really unpredictable results.

Leitz Loc: Solms

Blues Dude wrote:

I was going through some old boxes and found 6 rolls of undeveloped B&W film: 4 Ilford FP4, 1 Kodak Tmax 400 and 1 Kodak Tri-X 400. I still have my old film developing gear, but it's been decades since I last processed any film. Is there one developer, stop bath and fixer that I can use on all these films? Thanks for your help and suggestions.

All three films can be developed in ID-11 or D-76.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Blues Dude I can assure you the D76 works well for Kodak Tri-X 400...
And like Ourspolair mentioned "...Everything is time and temperature - dependant..." as is your agitation technique...

Here are Kodak's recommendations...
https://imaging.kodakalaris.com/sites/prod/files/files/resources/edbwf.pdf
Please read and study Kodak's recommendations very carefully...

Below is an example of D76 with Kodak Tri-X 400
Film: TriX ASA 400 shot at ISO 400
Developer: D76 1:1
Illumination: Heavy Overcast

Camera: Nikon F3
Lens: 50mm f1.4 AI Nikkor
Venue: Street scene Hagerstown, Maryland circa 1982

Hope this helps, all the best on your journey Blues Dude
.

Film: TriX ASA 400 shot at ISO 400 Developer: D76 1:1
Film: TriX ASA 400 shot at ISO 400 Developer: ...

(Download)

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

Yes, Trusty D-76 or similar ID-11. They both work. Stop bath is stop bath does not matter. You can even use just water or water with a bit of vinegar (vinegar is acetic acid which is stop bath). Any fixer will work too. I preferred rapid fixer . It is quicker and lasts longer than standard fixers.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Ourspolair wrote:

D72 would probably work on all of them T-max and Tri-x 400 are essentially the same. Ilford FP-4 has a similar formulation. Stop bath and fixers are not critical. Everything is time and temperature - dependant (but you know that anyway). Have fun but beware, if they have not been kept in a temperature -controlled environment you may get some really unpredictable results.

I think you meant D76!

dave.speeking Loc: Brooklyn OH

Google: CineStill DF96 Monobath For DIY Black-and-White Film Developing

Not recommending, just something that is out there.

canonuser25 Loc: Cardiff (Wales NOT England)

Always used D76 and Accufix. Never bothered with stopbath except running water at temp of developer

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I've been using Ilfotec-DDX for the last 10 years or so. Here's a link to various films and developers with quantities and times. https://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.php
--Bob

Blues Dude wrote:

I was going through some old boxes and found 6 rolls of undeveloped B&W film: 4 Ilford FP4, 1 Kodak Tmax 400 and 1 Kodak Tri-X 400. I still have my old film developing gear, but it's been decades since I last processed any film. Is there one developer, stop bath and fixer that I can use on all these films? Thanks for your help and suggestions.

ELNikkor

Never heard of D72, but just bought some D76 for my first foray into B&W since 1992.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Blues Dude wrote:

I was going through some old boxes and found 6 rolls of undeveloped B&W film: 4 Ilford FP4, 1 Kodak Tmax 400 and 1 Kodak Tri-X 400. I still have my old film developing gear, but it's been decades since I last processed any film. Is there one developer, stop bath and fixer that I can use on all these films? Thanks for your help and suggestions.

yes

Blues Dude

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your quick replies.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I am not saying my favorite developers will work for you but this is what I used successfully for many years.

Tri-X and HC-110 solution B. Simply magic!
T-Max and Agfa Rodinal. Rodinal was the only developer that worked for me with T-Max.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

ELNikkor wrote:

Never heard of D72, but just bought some D76 for my first foray into B&W since 1992.

D72 is similar to Dektol, generally used to develop papers. But it can be used to develop films.

sgt hop Loc: baltimore md,now in salisbury md

oh boy, all this brings back memories.....thanks to all.......