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Acufine as one shot: dilution? time?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 2:36 pm
by Bob Michaels
I like one shot developers. I bought Acufine since ACU-1 (one shot Acufine) could not be located. Using stock solution of Acufine as a one shot would get very expensive, very fast.

I am told by Jon Mided (Digital Truth) that Acufine and ACU-1 are different compositions and I cannot just dilute Acufine as if it were ACU-1 and use the ACU-1 suggested times. Jon suggested I ask here.

Does anyone have any experience using diluted Acufine as a one shot developer? If so, please share.

Re: Acufine as one shot: dilution? time?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 3:41 pm
by Ornello
I would suggest using it 1:1 and extending the recommended time by 30% as a starting point, but you should certainly run trials before doing 'good' rolls. Also try 1:2 for 50% more time (1 part stock to 2 parts water).

Re: Acufine as one shot: dilution? time?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 7:58 pm
by pirateoversixty
Used to use Acufine quite a bit years ago as a one-shot developer. Seems I used it as 1+1 and 1+3 with similar results: a slight bump in ei, negs looked like d-76 product. Ornello's times sound about right. Worth a try but don't expect the silver bullet.
Jim

Re: Acufine as one shot: dilution? time?

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:35 am
by Bob Michaels
Thanks guys. I'll shoot a few rolls of unimportant things in the normal flat interior light that I need to push and give the dilutions / times a try.

I am curious to see what the downside of Acufine is. I know everything ends up being a compromise so am a bit skeptical of the claims of e.i. boost, ultra fine grain and maximum acutance.

Re: Acufine as one shot: dilution? time?

Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 5:10 pm
by Jim Appleyard
A good place to start for times is right here at DT; just go to the Massive Dev Chart.

Acufine can be used at stock or 1+1. Grain will be increased, as will contrast, but it may allow you to get a photo when you couldn't otherwise. Most of my Acufine images look "pushed", especially going to 3200.

Tri-X is very good for pushing (let's not get into the "what pushing is" debate) and I've done EI 3200 with Acufine, although it tends towards "soot & whitwash".

Times:

TX a @ EI 1000 Acufine 1+1 for 10 min. 21C
1600 14
3200 21

TMZ can be shot at EI 6400 in Acufine 1+0 for 7.5 min. 21C

I prefer to shoot TX @1000and soup in Diafine. Diafine is so easy. lasts a long time and controls contrast by its two bath dev method and the image doesn't look pushed. The only drawback is that the EI is fixed. With Acufine, you can up your EI by increasing the time or by going from 1+1 to 1+0.