I use Ilford MC Deluxe paper both in RC (most often), and some fiber based. I have been using a cheap generic developer (Lauders), but I haven't been happy with the results recently. I want to start working more with FB papers.

Today I switched to Ilford Universal paper developer, and it made a tremendous difference. I want very rich blacks and a print that "sparkles." Any suggestions regarding other developers I might try in this regard.

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), January 30, 2000

Answers

Hi again Todd. I really reccommend using Dektol and Selectol Soft. Dektol is cooler in tone and higher in contrast; and Selectol Soft is warmer and lower in contrast. Use plenty of stock solution with each (1:3 at most is my max.). Simimar formulas can also be found in Adams' The Print.

-- shawn gibson (SeeInsideForever@yahoo.com), January 30, 2000.

Oops I forgot the crucial part: you can mix the two together in varying amounts to control contrast and tone, but to be honest I personally have only seen minor to average variation with variable-contrast paper. For that reason, in part, I'm switching to graded paper for a while myself...

-- shawn gibson (SeeInsideForever@yahoo.com), January 30, 2000.

Todd, I use Dektol myself and have very nice highlight densities that sparkle so to speak. What you are really looking for are for the midtones and blacks to have a lot of contrast. And a negative that prints with subtle highlight separation. That sparkle you desire is all in the negative. Of course that is as long as you have a good paper with bright whites to work with. I also bleach most of my prints in the highlight areas and then selenium tone the prints to maximize the zone 0 and 1 blacks. I have used Ilford Universal and it is a very good developer too. The secret to sparkle is how you treat the neg and how you finish the print. james

-- Mr.Lumberjack (james_mickelson@hotmail.com), January 30, 2000.

We've been using Luminos' liquid-concentrate print print developer. Works great with every paper we've used, very reasonable. Different print developers don't make that much of a difference in most papers - nothing on the order of what different film developers do!

-- Michael Goldfarb (mgoldfar@mobius-inc.com), February 01, 2000.

About six months ago I was searching for a paper and/or developer that would yield good, deep blacks. I was very dissatisfied with run- of-the-mill RC papers. After trying a lot of variations (including the Selectol-Soft and Dektol combination referred to above) I found a good compromise in Agfa MCP-310 (glossy) developed in Edwal Ultra Black paper developer. Nevertheless, I find that for my display pieces, I really enjoy the results of the Edwal Ultra Black with papers such as Kodak Polymax Fine Art FB. I am still of the opinion that FB is the way to go for display pieces, that RC does not get the depth and luminosity that I want in a final print. This is not to say anything negative about Dektol. To tell you the truth, I have not spent any time in comparing Dektol with Edwal Ultra Black now that I have become so happy with the Kodak Polymax Fine Art FB in this Edwal developer. In truth, there might be zero difference between this Kodak FB paper in Dektol and the same paper in the Edwal, for all I know. Shortness of time has been the main reason for not testing the paper in Dektol.

-- Sam Elkind (sselkind@home.com), February 01, 2000.

Peckham's Amidol is the best developer for FB, if you are afraid of it, go with Zone VI developer 1:3, you are going to have to play with either one to find what you want. Pat

-- pat j. krentz (krentz@cci-29palms.com), February 03, 2000.