My normal development sequence is Ektaflow developer (3 minutes) with Ilford FB graded paper and a cold light. I sometimes have a need to acheive a contrast grade between 1 and 2, or 2 and 3. I want to try developing in Selectol Soft for maybe 2 minutes and then Ektaflow for a minute. Does the sequence matter (i.e. should I place the print in ektaflow before selectol or vice versa)?.

-- Harold Todman (harold_todman@dmr.ca), January 05, 1998

Answers

The common practice is to use the Selectol-Soft first. I have used this method quite a bit with SS first and Zone VI developer second. I would recommend you do a simple exercise to test the effects that various time combinations have on print contrast.

First, make a print on grade 2 paper, developed only in your normal developer. This will be your control print, and should be a straight print. You don't want burning and dodging to have an affect on your contrast " judgment". Next you want to make a series of prints, 3 to be exact, just like the control print with the same exposure time, but this time you develop them in SS and your normal developer for various times. Print 1 Selectol Soft for 3 minutes Print 2 Selectol Soft for 2 minutes and Ektaflow for 1 minute Print 3 Selectol Soft for 1 minute and Ektaflow for 2 minutes This will give you 4 prints in 4 contrasts from about a grade 1, Selectol Soft only, to a grade 2, Ektaflow only. You can then change the times to fine tune your contrasts. You can also do the same exercise for grades 1, 3, and 4 to see the various differences. You may find that the SS only print is a bit lighter than the Ektaflow only print, as SS seems to be a bit less active, but with little practice you can learn to adjust your times accordingly.

-- MTHOMPSON (MTHOMPSON@CLINTON.NET), January 05, 1998.

split developers

I have been using Selectol soft and dektol for several years now and cannot imagine not. Together they are a great combination. Used thoughtfully the combination almost breaks down the idea of paper grades. With a well developed negative the creative possibilities are greatly expanded. Selectol soft is a wonder ful developer. I have always used the selectol soft first because it is possbile to see the slowing shadowing effects, if the dektol was used first the effects of the selectol would not be visiible as sthe image emerges. I don't know if it makes any other difference. Good luck with this the previous post has some great ideas for tests, but the effects of two developers is very subtle, requires a great deal of patience, and creative thought, but is absolutley worth it.

-- jim ryder (jimryder12@aol.com), January 06, 1998.