For about the last year I have almost exclusively used Pyrocat-HD to develop my negs. Lately I've also been practicing semi-stand development, or doing three intermittent agitations regardless of developing time.
Here is the list of films I've used with it:
35mm: FP4+, Tri-X, Neopan 1600
120: FP4+, Tri-X, Neopan 400, Foma 400
4x5: FP4+, Tri-X
I wouldn't say that technically the negatives are much better for printing than what I used to get from Rodinal, except that I can be a bit more sloppy with the highlights, but I feel good about the negatives, and that seems to bump me over the edge of making better prints.
So I wonder if comfort with materials, not necessarily their technical quality, is just as important or perhaps even more so?!
I have the same experience with my more refined Mamiya 645 vs my Rolleiflex. Two completely different cameras, both wonderful cameras, but I consistently get much better results with the Rollei. The difference is not subtle.
Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
- Thomas
