Two questions: 1.I've heard a number of times about pre-wetting films to reduce grain and was wondering whether this would make a noticeable difference with 35mm and if yes how should I go about it. 2. Does anyone have development times for Agfapan 400 with Rodinal and D-76. Thank you.

-- Andy Laycock (aglay@interchange.ubc.ca), February 03, 1998

Answers

you can find all the films and developing times at,"http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~migol/photo/mega.html

-- jerry (homicide@con2.com), February 03, 1998.

re: prewetting

Presoaking film will not affect the grain qualities. That is affected by the developer formulation, the developer time, and of course, the film itself. Note that extended times with diluted developer will not cause an increase in grain, but 'pushing' film will. The benefit of presoaking film is even absortion of developer into the emulsion, reslulting in negatives with no streaking or mottling or air bubbles. (Providing your agitation is correct.) Here's what I found works best. Use DISTILLED water with a 2 drops of Edwal LFN wetting agent per roll. The LFN will replace any 'built-in' wetting agent in the film (Ilford, for example.) LFN will not affect the developer and using distilled water for presoak (and for mixing the developer) insures consistancy and repeatablity no matter what your local water supply. This is very important if you are traveling and developing film 'on the raod.' Hope this helps.

-- Michael D Fraser (mdfraser@earthlink.net), February 06, 1998.

I dont see a pre-wash causing or reducing grain. A 2minute pre-wash will give you a surprise when you see the colour of the liquid poured away. This seems especially so when used with 120 films (HP5 in my case). This should mean that your dev when poured into your tank can get to work on an already soaked emulsion.

-- John Swannick (john_swannick@lineone.net), November 13, 1998.