Re: Grain and HIE

["Amber" <ambersexton@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Date sent:      	Tue, 9 Mar 1999 03:13:15 +0100 (MET)
From:           	owner-infrared-digest@xxxxx (Infrared-Digest)
To:             	infrared-digest@xxxxx
Subject:        	Infrared-Digest V #76
Send reply to:  	infrared@xxxxx
From:           	Infrared-Digest@xxxxx

> From: Peter De Smidt <pdesmidt@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: HIE grain question
> 
> > >
> > > Can anyone suggest something that might minimize the grain as much as
> > > possible? I know that if I really want less grain I should use another
> > > brand of film, but I just can't part with the look of HIE. I can deal
> > > with grain, I'd just like to minimize it as much as possible.
> > >
> 
> Besides Xtol 1:1, you might try Kodak's Microdol-x, which is their fine
> grain developer.  You might also try Crawley's FX5:
> 

Peter, I've got to disagree with you on Microdol-X, basically what 
microdol-x gives you is a lot of sulfite, which doesn't really reduce 
grain size just the edges of the grain so that the grain is less 
apparent but has far less accutence.

I am a real stickler for accutence, and I find developers with a lot of 
sulfite give the photo a very mushy look.  If you hate the grain that 
much and are willing to have this kind of look than go for the 
microdal x.

I tend to agree with the posts that say that you can't do too much 
about the grain, however, I do think that D-76 produces some of the 
gloppiest grain, sometimes even with lumps of grain.  

I like FG-7 1:7 with no added sulfite, it is similar to D-76 but higher 
accutence and no glops.

The Arnold Gassen method with HC 110 helps give a finer grain too.

The other route to go is with those pyrocatechin developers that 
people were posting about a year ago.  I don't do it myself but I 
believe they stain the negative which eliminates the look of the 
grain.  

Anyone out there who uses these developers?
Amber
ambersexton@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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