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| 35mm Ilford HP5 | Developed in Kodak Dektol Ricoh Rangefinder |
Kodak Paper Developer
as Film Developer (read more for how i did it)
I did some experimenting a while ago using Dektol (Kodak Paper Developer) as a film developer. While Dektol is now sold exclusively as a paper developer it once was used for film development. In the 30s journalistic photographers used to use Dektol to push film ISO up and develop film quickly to meet deadlines. Walker Evans was even said to have used it for developing his 8x10 negatives.
Paper and film developers share essentially the same ingredients, just in stronger concentration for paper. So to use Dektol Paper Developer in its modern form you simply dilute the solution.
I use a 1+9 or 1+10 dilution. At this dilution it takes about 6-7 minutes to develop a roll of 35mm or 120 film. Film developed in Dektol will produce high contrast negatives with large grain. Dektol Paper Dev comes in 3.8gal bags and is dead cheap. You should be able to develop at least 500 rolls with a bag of dektol.
Note: Don't use this for any precious film as it may have a tendency to expire quickly once mixed. Bin the solution after a few weeks or when the solution becomes a rich urine yellow.
Note: Don't use this for any precious film as it may have a tendency to expire quickly once mixed. Bin the solution after a few weeks or when the solution becomes a rich urine yellow.
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