Rodinal

Rodinal is a name that every photography enthusiast knows, especially those involved with analog photography. Rodinal is one of the oldest and most widely used black-and-white film developers in the world. Since its introduction in the late 19th century, it has stood the test of time and technological progress, and remains a preferred developer for many photography enthusiasts and professionals alike.

The History of Rodinal

The Rodinal formula was first patented on January 27, 1891, by Dr. Momme Andresen for Agfa, a German film and camera company. It is considered the first product commercially sold for film development, and was originally named “Rodigal”. However, shortly after its market introduction, it was renamed to “Rodinal”.

Rodinal is known for its longevity, as it is still manufactured and used even in the digital age. This is primarily due to it being a highly concentrated liquid developer, which is less susceptible to oxidation compared to many other developers, therefore having a significantly longer shelf life.

Distinctive Characteristics of Rodinal

Rodinal is known for its unique development characteristics that give the photos developed by it a very special quality. One of these characteristics is that it tends to exaggerate grain, resulting in images that have a coarser, textured aesthetic. This characteristic may be seen as a disadvantage by those who seek smoother, less grainy images. However, for photographers who appreciate a “grainy” aesthetic, Rodinal is an excellent choice.

In addition, Rodinal provides excellent sharpness and high acutance. “Sharpness” is a term used in photography to describe the perceived sharpness of an image, which is typically enhanced by edge contrast. This edge effect is particularly pronounced in Rodinal, leading to images that appear very sharp, even when the grain is more noticeable.

Use of Rodinal

A unique feature of Rodinal is that it works as a “one-shot” developer. Each time a film is developed, a new batch is mixed, typically at a ratio of 1:25 to 1:100. Due to its high concentration, a small amount of Rodinal can develop a large amount of film, making it economical for photographers who develop sporadically.

When using Rodinal, it is important to consider the film to be developed, the desired aesthetic, and the ratio of developer to water. A lower ratio (e.g., 1:25) results in stronger grain and higher contrast, while a higher ratio (e.g., 1:100) results in less grain and weaker contrast. The development time also depends on the type of film and the developer ratio.

Although Rodinal is a highly concentrated developer, it is not toxic. However, as it is strongly alkaline, precautions should be taken to avoid skin and eye contact. It is recommended to develop film in a well-ventilated room and to wear appropriate protective clothing.

Availability

Adox Adonal by the German company Adox is based on the last known Agfa Rodinal original formula from 2005. Compard R09 One Shot is also produced according to the original Rodinal formula. However, Adonal is characterized by improved fine grain.

Development times for various films

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