Random Camera Blog: Leap Day, and some notes about the FPP D-96 Developer

I believe that over the course of the past 16 years, this is the first time I have posted on a leap day, Feb. 29. To underscore the odd day, we got about 2 to 3 inches of snow last night, here in Weaverville, NC. Since we are "in the mountains," snow isn't foreign here, and it certainly isn't as bad as snow-bound Michigan. However, I decided to not drive to the Penland School of Crafts open house today, since that really IS in the mountains, and I'm not too sure about the road conditions. If it were Michigan, it would not be a problem. So, today, I will catch up on negative scanning and image editing.

Michael Raso and I, and a thumbs up for D-96!

One new thing that I have tried has been the D-96 film developer from FPP. Michael Raso convinced me to give it a try, especially with b&w emulsions designed for the cinema. Kodak's D-96 is used extensively to develop cinematic b&w films such as the Eastman 5222, or Double-X. Of course, it can also be used for other films, such as T-Max 100. D-96 is used without dilution, and 1 gallon can develop up to 50 rolls of 35mm film.

To date, I have developed four rolls of Eastman 5222 and 1 roll of T-max 100. For most films, it seems that the times are pretty much the same, which makes it amenable to trying it with other films not listed in the FPP chart.

D-96 Development Times From the FPP site:

FILM ISO TEMP TIME (minutes)
100Tmax 100 68F 7.5
400Tmax 400 68F 8
TMZ3200 3200 68F 12.5
FPP Low ISO BW 6 68F 7
FPP SONIC BW 25 68F 8
Ferrania P30 80 68F 9
X2 (Double-X) 200 68F 7.5
400 TX 400 68F 8
Orwo UN54 100 68F 5.5
Orca B/W Lomo 100 68F 6
FP4 125 68F 8
HP5 400 68F 9
FPP Blue Sensitive 6 68F 7.5
Polypan F 50 68F 9

The FPP recommends that you use the developer undiluted and pour the developer back into the container after using. For more information, see the product listing. That's how I am using it, and I'll keep track of how many rolls I get before the results start to indicate that it's time to buy another gallon. As I try other emulsions with D-96, I'll add them to the above list.

D-96 is similar to D-76, but D-76 is best used 1:1 as a one-shot developer, which is how I use it. D-96 apparently gives a bit less contrast, and it differs from D-76 in the ratios of the components (metol, hydroquinone, sodium sulfite, and borax, but also contains sodium bromide.

Some sample images. I'm happy with my results, and look forward to seeing how D-96 does with other films!