divided developers

[birdreader]

Decades ago I experimented with "divided developers". Mr. Farber was publishing formulas for it, Divided D-76 and a phenidone version of it.
Unfortunately, for me, the Phenidone D-76 I tried simply did not work. The films have changed so much in 50 years.
I tried FX-37 single solution which works, but is grainy.
So far the most successful developer I have found is E-76, phenidone/ascorbate. It even leaves a slightly "brown" appearance by reflected light on the emulsion, just like Microdol-X used to. And the grain is less than FX-37 development.
At this time I do not have any metol to try, once I have, I will try some of the more modern divided developer formulas.
What experience has everyone else had with the "divided developer" formulas from years ago???
I am certain the Diafine formulas have changed considerably over the last 50 years. They know what changes had to be made to their formulas, and of course are not talking.

[sanchell]

Thank you for this post. It's good information to have. We'll be looking forward to hearing your results using "more modern divided developer formulas."

Question: Has anyone else had similar results with divided developers and modern emulsion film?

[tim.bowman]

It's not quite the same application, but I'm using a homebrew divided MQ developer with paper negatives and litho film. I started dividing the developer looking for a way to limit the paper neg contrast and get some compensating action. Modern developer-incorporated paper emulsions make that tricky -- they're just dying to get to dmax.

The second bath gives me a bit of streaking or mottling if I'm not careful. Sometimes I'm not careful on purpose because I like the effect. Here are a pair of paper neg examples:
https://hellothisistim.com/photographs/myers-grocery
https://hellothisistim.com/photographs/ ... n-run-lane

[sanchell]

Nicely done, Tim. Thank you for sharing.

[tim.bowman]

Thank you! The Darkroom Cookbook has been an amazing reference. Thanks for all the work you do to make the book happen.