diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index b5c7985..409c943 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -20,14 +20,16 @@ typically uses "1:2" to mean "One part of the developer added to two parts water." Ilford likes to use "1+2" to mean the - same thing. I've used Kodak's notation - throughout this document. + same thing. I've used both here interchangeably. **UPDATES TO THIS DOCUMENT**: Please note that I periodically update this document with new findings. If you've already read it in the past, you can skip to the [Updates](#updates) - section at the end of this document + section at the end of this document. + Many of these Updates change the + recommendations in the original text, so + reading them is a good idea. @@ -72,7 +74,8 @@ contrast too much. EMA for an hour with three agitations (90 seconds initial, 10 seconds at 21 & 41 minutes) at 1.5:1:300 seems to work better. At this dilution, you'll get about 1/3 stop less - than box ASA speeds. + than box ASA speeds. (See the [Updates](#updates) section for + other ideas.) * When faced with a low contrast or short Subject Brightness range, a lower dilution semistand (1.5:1:250) for an hour seems to work best. @@ -890,6 +893,22 @@ makes the results ugly and I would advise against it. +### Update 09-27-2024: Rethinking EMA Times And Dilutions + +The original EMA recommendations in this document called for highly +dilute development for an hour with intermittent agitation throughout. +After more testing, I determined that this still has a tendency +to overdevelop (blow out) the highlights. + +A possibly better way to approach EMA - and one more in line with what +others have documented for EMA - is to simply reduce overall time and +increase frequency of agitation. + +For example, I got very good results with 35mm Plus-X using Pyrocat-HD +5:3:500 with an initial 90 seconds agitation and 5 seconds at the 7, +14, and 21 minute marks, ending development at 28 minutes. This +seemed to control the highlights well and promoted strong edge effects. + ## Copyright And Use