I wanted to experiment with pushing an Rodinal, but I haven’t used it since I’ve been using the Kodak XTol. So, I busted out the Rodinal, measuring syringe, and distilled water and got to work. I was going to use a prolonged semi-stand process, so a normal semi-stand would be a good starting place to get my bearings back.
These were came out great. I really do like the contrast and sharpness that Rodinal gives, and once I got more experience with it, I don’t find it obnoxiously grainy. Yes, it does bring out the grain, but with a little practice and the right kind of film, it does pretty well. It was also funny letting the tank stand. I’ve been so used to doing inversions every 30-seconds that it felt a little odd when the timer when off along with the “oh yeah, I got to take care of the film I started” feeling.
Anyway, I find it really difficult to screw up black and white developing to the point where it’s completely unusable, but when you dial it in, that’s where you go from okay and workable to consistently good.
Development Details
- Film: Fomapan 200
- Camera ISO setting: 200
- Developer: Rodinal with 2g Sodium Ascorbate
- Developer Dilution: 1:100
- Development Time: 1 hour
- Development Agitation: Stand (20 inversions first minute, with 4 inversions after 30 minutes)