Df96 is compatible with virtually any black and white film, and we at CineStill are working hard to test it with a wide variety of film stocks on the market today. However, some photographers will want to process discontinued or small batch quantity film stocks in Df96 and may be disappointed to not find existing processing recommendations.
If you would like to process a film stock that does not appear on our handy Film Rating Chart (found here: https://cinestillfilm.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025847011-Df96-Film-Speed-Compatibility-Chart) please follow the instructions below:
For traditional cubic grain emulsions, start by picking a similar film stock of the same ISO as a baseline, such as Kodak Tri-X 400. Shoot a test roll using an accurate light meter. Process at one of the three normal (i.e. not push or pull) temperature/time combinations. For t-grain emulsions, start by picking a similar film stock of the same ISO as a baseline, such as Kodak T-Max 400, and note that processing times will need to be at least doubled in order to fully clear the film.
After processing, inspect your negatives for proper fixing and density. (If you are unsure if your negatives are fully fixed, read this article: https://cinestillfilm.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025784611-The-Film-I-Just-Processed-in-My-Df96-Monobath-Looks-Strange-Underfixed)
If your negatives are too thin (lacking in contrast and flat looking), you may either increase the processing temperature by 10ºF or reduce the frequency of your agitation in order to increase the density by up to 1 stop. Alternatively, if your negatives are too dense (dark and overly contrasty), you may either decrease the processing temperature by 10ºF or increase the frequency of your agitation in order to decrease the density by up to 1 stop.
You are the final arbiter of the results you are happy with and you now know the variables you can change in order to achieve the density and contrast you want. Please share your results with us so that we can perform our own tests and share our collective findings with our customers.
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