Agfa Refinal R

Flack

Well-Known Member
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I have 5x5 ltr bags of this stuff, I got it in a job lot I bought last year, anybody used this stuff and any info on it would be a great help.
 
I have never used it, I got this info from the `web it might give you a bit of help......

Agfa Refinal R was a black-and-white film processing developer that Agfa produced for use with their B&W films, often aimed at higher contrast development. It was known for producing well-balanced tones, with good sharpness and finer grain. Originally, this developer was used in commercial and lab settings, compatible with various black-and-white film types. Agfa designed it to maintain a higher degree of contrast without sacrificing detail or tonal range, making it popular for applications needing strong image definition.

When using original Agfa Refinal R, there are a few best practices to help you achieve optimal results with this vintage developer, especially considering it might have aged. Here’s a guide to get the best outcomes:

1. Check Developer Condition

  • Inspect for Spoilage: Agfa Refinal R, if stored improperly, might degrade. Check for discoloration, strong odors, or cloudiness. If any of these signs are present, the developer may yield unpredictable results.
  • Conduct a Small Test: Before committing to a whole roll, consider processing a test strip to gauge the developer’s effectiveness and avoid risking valuable negatives.

2. Mixing and Dilution

  • Refinal R usually recommended a specific dilution ratio, commonly 1:4 (developer to water) for general-purpose development. However, for finer grain and smoother tonality, you might experiment with a higher dilution (1:5 or 1:6), which can slightly reduce contrast and enhance mid-tones.
  • Water Quality: Use distilled water if possible to avoid mineral deposits or impurities affecting the chemical reactions.

3. Temperature Control

  • Agfa's recommended temperature is around 20°C (68°F), but in practice, slightly cooler (around 18°C or 64°F) can produce finer grain while maintaining detail.
  • For a warmer, slightly higher-contrast look, go up to 22°C (72°F), but avoid temperatures over 24°C (75°F) as this can lead to overly dense negatives.

4. Agitation Technique

  • Regular, gentle agitation (like 10 seconds every minute) can help prevent uneven development while controlling grain and contrast.
  • If you prefer to bring out more shadow details with smoother highlights, consider less frequent agitation, such as 5 seconds every other minute.

5. Optimal Development Time

  • Refinal R typically required shorter development times than more standard developers. Start with 6–8 minutes and adjust based on your film's sensitivity and desired contrast level.
  • For higher contrast, extend to 10–12 minutes while monitoring highlights, as prolonged development may increase grain.

6. Using a Stop Bath and Fixer

  • After development, stop the process with an acid stop bath (or water rinse) to halt any further chemical action.
  • Use a reliable fixer and rinse thoroughly to ensure your negatives are archival and free from any developer residue.

7. Storage and Longevity

  • If you have more Refinal R left, consider dividing it into smaller, airtight bottles to limit oxygen exposure. Properly stored, even vintage developer can last a bit longer, though performance may gradually decline.

8. Digital Scanning and Post-Processing

  • Scanning your negatives allows you to fine-tune contrast, sharpness, and tone curves, enhancing the classic look of Agfa Refinal R. Embrace its natural tonal quality while adjusting only slightly for shadow detail and mid-tone contrast.
Since Refinal R is a vintage chemical, experimenting a bit to find your ideal combination is key.
 
Thanks Steve I have just loaded a ten shot roll to try the chemicals out on.
 
Well guys here are the results from a Fomapan 400 iso film souped in Rafinal for 6 mins @ 20c, they came out great they have just been through NLP with nothing touched. Shot with my old Olympus OM10 35-70 lens . The chemicals mixed well, I have now stored it in a 5ltr wine box to use if and when. I have 20 ltrs left to mix so should last a while.
 

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