Ultimately I selected Photographer's Formulary TFX-2.
The desire to try a new developer actually goes a bit beyond simple caprice as I imply. As much as I love HC-110 as a general purpose developer, I wanted to see what I might be able to find that might be a lower contrast developer, particularly for use on microfilm as well as Ferrania P30, both of which tended to have higher contrast in HC-110. I'd seen some results of P30 in the Metol based Beutler formula, which really looked promising, and was about to pull the trigger on the needed powders when, on perusing the wide array of options from Photographer's Formulary, elected that TFX-2 was the perfect choice. Similar in makeup to the Beutler formula, but in a 2 part liquid formula that could be used as a one-shot developer, TFX-2 also had some at least one follower who was using it as a stand developing solution! It was just like taking my existing practices and just changing the ingredients!
Rather than jump directly into microfilm developing with TFX-2, I elected to do my first tries of stand developing of this developer using a couple of rolls of Ilford's Pan F+ film, a 50 speed emulsion known for being a bit heavy on contrast. Using 12.5ml of both solution A and B in the 400ml tank for a 30 minute stand, I was quite curious to see what I'd get. My first roll was a roll of 120 shot in a newly acquired Zeiss Ikonta 515/2, and my second roll was a cut down roll of 127 taken in my newly beloved Zeh Goldi.
My results show a mix of promise and concern. Some are simply wonderful, while I find there are a few challenges that can result when using this developer, at least on the somewhat temperamental Pan F film...
From the Zeiss folder, I'm instantly impressed by the first frame developed in TFX-2. Though the sky shows some rather odd developer artifacts around the steeple, the tonality in the statue is nothing short of wonderful to me.
But moments later, I get this. Interesting to say the least, but the soft areas around the bright spots are rather odd. As I had just gone from a car to this scene, I do wonder if a bit of condensation occurred on the lens to result in this sort of misty image. The real concern however with the development process here is the sky, which will continue to plague me off and on through the roll.
Guess focusing of mine was a little bit off, but still shows some elements of sharpness. As this was a test of both camera and developer, I wasn't overly concerned with perfection. The mix of sharp contrast and pleasing tonality is a really nice attribute of this image.
Under partial shadow, I didn't get quite enough light to fully expose the headstone. Still, I find the tonality really nice in comparison to HC-110.
The safe bet shot of a railroad track at closest focusing distance pays off in this example. Once again, I really like the tonal range of this film with this developer, but there are some problems in the distance...
...literally. The bridge in the distance of the preceding shot is the subject of the next shot. While the exposure was likely a bit generous, and the foreground is washed out, the mottled look of the sky is the most concerning part to me, as the mottled texture was not evident in the original scene.
Condensation again? Sort of doubtful given I'd taken another shot only 5 minutes prior to this. Developer issue? I'm not quite sure.
A rather odd result here, particularly across the top of the image. Contrast in this one area seems reduced and the light colored walls show the same mottled appearance of the sky in other images.
The Goldi started off on a high note as well. Contrast isn't excessive, and the sky areas, out of focus here, seem to lack the issues of the roll taken in the Ikonta.
Once again, some great tonality is evident, particularly on darker colored objects.
A backlit subject offers a nice degree of separation, and highlights from the image are very nicely rendered.
Just one of many reasons I love this camera. Focused at the closest distance, the result is just wonderful, and the film and developer choices help round out the great result.
Bring the sky into focus however, and the odd mottling returns to rear its ugly head. Though a smaller percentage of shots on the Goldi suffered this fate, they did occur.
Perhaps the best look at what this developer can do to open sky. Disappointing, given that it carries such wonderful results across the rest of the subject matter.
The effect is minimized here thanks to a closer focusing point, allowing the focus to be back upon the great tonality and sharpness this trio can provide.
Curious is that the result is more notable in some frames and less in others. Though evident here, the mottled sky is not nearly as visible here in this result.
Returning to a more whimsical rendering, my focusing of the Goldi is a hair off, but still the result comes out looking lovely to me.
Among my favorite of local subjects, a simple neon "RESTAURANT" sign.
Missed the focus by a bit. Had I nailed it better, I'd have come away with a great result.
One last try, one last good result from the Ilford film and the Goldi, thanks in large part to TFX-2.
After a couple of initial rolls, I'd almost call TFX-2 a "Jekyll and Hyde" potion. In nearly all cases where I avoided landscapes and skies in focus, the combination of TFX-2 and Pan F delivered some great, often jaw dropping results. But when the subjects turned to wider views of landscapes, there seemed to be an inconsistent tendency to give some oddly developed skies in some scenes.
All told, I really like TFX-2 and look forward to using it again soon, particularly to try to tame microfilm to get a pictorial contrast level. Fingers crossed however, about the results in sky areas!
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