Metolal film developer

Description

A metol Rodinal: the same idea of high dilution at 1+50, built on metol instead of para-aminophenol. Finer grain at comparable sharpness.

How it differs from Rodinal

Metol is gentler than para-aminophenol and gives a more even curve. The edge effect survives — the dilution is still high and the developer still exhausts locally — but the grain comes out noticeably tidier. It is the compromise for anyone who likes Rodinal’s character but not its grain on ISO 400.

Working with it

Diluted 1+50, used once. Mix the working solution before developing; the concentrate keeps well in a tightly closed bottle.

Questions and answers

Is this an improved Rodinal?

No — it is a different developer built on the same idea of high dilution. Compare them by the result on your film, not by ancestry.