Developing black-and-white film at home begins with a small number of objects: a tank, reel, thermometer, measuring cylinders, timer and a place to load film in complete darkness. Chemistry is the part that often looks most complicated because several bottles can appear to promise the same thing.
Berlin Photo Studio has added selected darkroom chemistry and supplies to the shop. The first group includes ADOX Rodinal, ADOX HC-110 Pro, ILFORD ILFOTEC DD-X and ADOX ADOFLO II.
They do not all replace one another. Three are film developers with different working characteristics. ADOFLO II is a wetting agent used in the final rinse.
What a black-and-white developer does
Exposure creates a latent image on the film. The developer turns exposed silver-halide crystals into visible metallic silver. Time, temperature, dilution and agitation influence density and contrast.
The film stock and exposure still matter. A developer cannot recover information that never reached the negative. It can, however, influence grain appearance, edge sharpness, tonal separation and how much effective film speed is achieved.
There is no universal “best” developer. The better question is: what result, film and working method do you want?
ADOX Rodinal: clarity, acutance and visible grain
ADOX Rodinal is a classic liquid concentrate used as a one-shot developer. It is valued for strong acutance—the perception of sharpness created around edges—and a direct, economical workflow.
Rodinal often makes grain more visible, especially with faster 35mm films. That can be a disadvantage when the photographer wants the smoothest possible negative, or part of the desired character when texture matters.
It supports multiple dilutions, commonly including 1+25 and 1+50, as well as highly dilute approaches used by experienced photographers. Development time must always be matched to the exact film, exposure index, temperature and agitation plan.
ILFORD ILFOTEC DD-X: fine grain and useful film speed
ILFORD ILFOTEC DD-X is a liquid fine-grain developer designed to produce detailed shadows, smooth midtones and controlled highlights while making good use of film speed.
It is especially associated with ILFORD DELTA films, including DELTA 3200, but can be used with a broader range of black-and-white negatives when supported by current development data.
The standard working dilution is 1+4, used as a one-shot solution. DD-X is a strong choice for photographers who want negatives that scan or print easily without emphasising grain as strongly as Rodinal.
ADOX HC-110 Pro: concentrated and flexible
ADOX HC-110 Pro is a highly concentrated developer made in the thick syrup style associated with traditional HC-110 workflows.
Its strengths are economy, flexibility and control. Different dilutions can adapt the developer to tank volume, contrast goals and working habits. Careful measurement is important because the concentrate is viscous and small errors become meaningful at low quantities.
HC-110-style developers are useful across 35mm, medium format and sheet film. As always, use the current manufacturer data for the specific film rather than copying a random time from an old forum without checking its assumptions.
ADOX ADOFLO II: the final rinse
ADOX ADOFLO II is not a developer. It is a concentrated wetting agent added to the final rinse after washing.
At the recommended dilution, it helps water leave the film surface more evenly. This can reduce drying marks and streaks and can make the surface less likely to attract dust through static.
More is not better. Excess wetting agent can leave residue. Measure the recommended amount, use clean water and allow the film to dry in a clean, still space.
Developer, stop bath, fixer and wash
A complete black-and-white workflow usually includes more than developer:
- Developer makes the latent image visible.
- Stop bath quickly ends development, though some workflows use water.
- Fixer removes remaining light-sensitive silver halide.
- Wash removes residual processing chemicals.
- Wetting agent supports a cleaner final drying stage.
Do not confuse a developer choice with the whole process. Reliable negatives come from a repeatable sequence in which every solution is correctly mixed, labelled and timed.
How to choose
Choose Rodinal when you want economical one-shot processing, strong edge definition and do not mind visible grain. Choose DD-X when fine grain, full film speed and smooth tonal information are priorities. Choose HC-110 Pro when you want a concentrated developer with flexible dilution and broad format use.
ADOFLO II can support the final rinse regardless of which of these developers you choose, provided it is compatible with your process and used at the correct dilution.
Safety is part of the craft
Photographic chemistry must be treated as chemical material, not kitchen liquid. Read the current product label and safety data sheet. Wear suitable gloves and eye protection, work with ventilation, label containers clearly and keep chemistry away from children, food and drink.
Do not pour used chemistry away automatically. Disposal requirements vary by product and location. Follow Berlin and manufacturer guidance for collection and disposal.
Availability
These products are active in the Berlin Photo Studio shop. When an item is not physically in stock, allow up to ten days for special-order delivery unless the product page states otherwise. We will contact you if additional time is required.
If you would rather learn the process with guidance first, explore our private film-development workshops or the complete workshop programme.
FAQ
Which developer is best for beginners?
Rodinal is simple to measure at common dilutions, while DD-X offers a forgiving fine-grain result. The best choice depends on the film and result you want.
Can I reuse the working developer?
The products described here are normally used as one-shot working solutions in the workflows stated on their pages. Follow the current manufacturer instructions.
Is wetting agent the same as fixer?
No. Fixer makes the negative no longer light-sensitive. Wetting agent is used in the final rinse to support cleaner drying.
Do I need a darkroom to develop film?
You need complete darkness only while loading the film into the tank. Once the tank is correctly closed, the remaining process can happen in normal light.
Can I buy these products in Berlin?
They can be ordered through Berlin Photo Studio. Some items may require up to ten days when not physically in stock.
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