Anyone use Arista chemicals from Freestyle?

Jedidiah Smith · Jul 25, 2009

Hi all, darkroom is back in order, and I am about to put in an order from Freestyle, and I was looking for some advice on the developers.
My two favorite films are Plus-X for low speed and Tri-X for high speed - so I have decided to stick with them for now.

I see Freestyle sells their own "Arista 76" which I assume is like Kodak's D76. Should I stick with that, or try their "Arista Premium Powder Film Developer" Phenidone-based developer? I see they have a liquid form as well - would that be the same, just easier? I've only ever used powder developers before.
Also, is Dektol still considered the classic for print developing, or should I look to something else, these days?

I like the old, classic emulsions and "look"...so just curious if anyone has a pointer on these developers.
Of course, for $1 more, I could just get Kodak developer, but...if it's the same stuff...
Thanks,
Jed

Rick A · Jul 25, 2009

I have used their Arista 76, and I didnt see any difference from my negs done in Kodak D76 I havent tried any other Arista chems. I have ued Kentmere chems, and like them. Their version of D76 is same as Kodak also. My next purchase is going to be Photographers Formulary chems, I'm looking to change up a little, and try some PYRO, i've moved up to LF, and want a new look. Besides, I'm retired, and dont have anything better to spend my money and time on.
Rick

PatTrent · Jul 25, 2009

On 400TX the Arista 76 performs just like D-76 to my very experienced eyes.

Christopher Walrath · Jul 25, 2009

I have not used the film developers yet (I have some but don't know why I purchased it). I have used the paper developers and I think that they work fine. I have nothing to compare to as yet. But Arista chems seem to get the job done.

Anscojohn · Jul 25, 2009

I have used their fixer and find it works just fine.

bsdunek · Jul 25, 2009

Like ralnphot, I have used Kentmere chemicals and find them just like Kodak.

brofkand · Jul 25, 2009

I have used their powdered chemicals and they are exactly the same as Kodak's in my experience. I have used their liquid developer as well and am not fond of it.

Nikanon · Jul 26, 2009

ive used them extensively , the Arista premium contains, Triethylene glycol, hydroquinone, sodium metabisulfite, formaldehyde, potassium carbonate , borax and sodium sulfite, so it is basically a pretty clean developer but may cause irritations. So far im stuck with using all arista chemicals for developing and fixing ( the fixer is ammonium thiosulfate based) and they are both clean and dilute fine at normal temperatures. They can be worked with to a general extent and will yield moderate grain and moderate sharpness. If you need any curves or times for certain films with these chemicals ill probably have them, just shoot me a message.

sidearm613 · Jul 26, 2009

Arista Premium liquid developer is Clayton. Its ok, a good general purpose dev but nothing special in my opinion. For what its worth, I found that is wasnt so great at rendering clouds or fog. a bit of the "white glue" look.

Wade D · Jul 26, 2009

I'm currently using Arista 76, Aristadol and Arista liquid fixer. They have performed just fine with FP4, Plus-X, Tri-X, Tmax 400 and Arista Edu Ultra Paper.

Jedidiah Smith · Jul 26, 2009

Alright, thanks for all the help on this subject. I will stick with the D76 equivalents for now, as I know kind of what to expect from them. New darkroom setup, etc - so after listening to the above, I'll use the Arista D76 developer and will not try to add more variables at this time!

Thanks for the heads up about the Arista products, I will try to post some scans of prints sometime in the next month when it all shakes loose here and I have some time to do printing!
Thanks,
Jed

chip j · Jul 31, 2019

Peter Schrager · Jul 31, 2019

I used the powder fixer and was not impressed
TF4 OR TF5 from the formulary is a way better deal for films..for paper I mix my own

Alan9940 · Jul 31, 2019

sidearm613 said:
Arista Premium liquid developer is Clayton. Its ok, a good general purpose dev but nothing special in my opinion. For what its worth, I found that is wasnt so great at rendering clouds or fog. a bit of the "white glue" look.

Personally, I found that Clayton F76+ (Arista Premium) paired with Ilford Delta 100 is an exceptional combination.

RalphLambrecht · Jul 31, 2019

Jedidiah Smith said:
Hi all, darkroom is back in order, and I am about to put in an order from Freestyle, and I was looking for some advice on the developers.
My two favorite films are Plus-X for low speed and Tri-X for high speed - so I have decided to stick with them for now.

I see Freestyle sells their own "Arista 76" which I assume is like Kodak's D76. Should I stick with that, or try their "Arista Premium Powder Film Developer" Phenidone-based developer? I see they have a liquid form as well - would that be the same, just easier? I've only ever used powder developers before.
Also, is Dektol still considered the classic for print developing, or should I look to something else, these days?

I like the old, classic emulsions and "look"...so just curious if anyone has a pointer on these developers.
Of course, for $1 more, I could just get Kodak developer, but...if it's the same stuff...
Thanks,
Jed

First,D76 for film andÎektol for paper ae still state-of-the-art developers today, but ,I would get the powder form;why pay for shipping water? Second, your film choice is excellent and works well with D76.

Sirius Glass · Jul 31, 2019

I have used a number of chemicals from FreeStyle, theirs and others, and not had a problem with any of them. Also they have a 30 day for any reason [or not] return policy so you can't go wrong. I tried 4"x5" development tanks from them one after another until I found one that worked for me. Every time I got credit for my returns. If you can visit their store and have a chat with them and you can learn a lot.

GRHazelton · Jul 31, 2019

Jedidiah Smith said:
Hi all, darkroom is back in order, and I am about to put in an order from Freestyle, and I was looking for some advice on the developers.
My two favorite films are Plus-X for low speed and Tri-X for high speed - so I have decided to stick with them for now.

I see Freestyle sells their own "Arista 76" which I assume is like Kodak's D76. Should I stick with that, or try their "Arista Premium Powder Film Developer" Phenidone-based developer? I see they have a liquid form as well - would that be the same, just easier? I've only ever used powder developers before.
Also, is Dektol still considered the classic for print developing, or should I look to something else, these days?

I like the old, classic emulsions and "look"...so just curious if anyone has a pointer on these developers.
Of course, for $1 more, I could just get Kodak developer, but...if it's the same stuff...
Thanks,
Jed

Do you have a source for Plus X, or have you wisely hoarded some? Plus X was my favorite back in the day.... My Father and I used to use the Beutler formula, which we "compounded" ourselves. Nice grain and acutance.

MattKing · Jul 31, 2019

Folks - this thread was started 10 years ago!

StanMac · Jul 31, 2019

MattKing said:
Folks - this thread was started 10 years ago!

Blame it on Chip! What’s up with that, Chip?

Stan

Sirius Glass · Jul 31, 2019

chip j · Jul 31, 2019

StanMac said:
Blame it on Chip! What’s up with that, Chip?

Stan

I plan on using Arista film, paper, and chemicals exclusively. I don't trust that highfalutin' name brand stuff--they always put on spin on the image.

Paul Howell · Aug 1, 2019

So your going to be shooting Foma film and printing on Foma paper with Kodak clone chemistry.

chip j · Aug 1, 2019

I don't consider FOMA a name brand. Their paper is dirt-cheap in Europe but (dammit!) expensive if the states. Atista liquid film developer & wetting agent have NO Kodak equvalent AFIK.

Alan Johnson · Aug 2, 2019

https://www.reddit.com/r/AnalogCommunity/comments/9lq56q/tetenal_has_filed_for_bankruptcy/?sort=top
Here it is suggested that some Arista MSDS may carry the logo PSI indicating the chems may come from Photo Systems Inc.
Little appears known about PSI.

Paul Howell · Aug 2, 2019

They have a web site

About Us
Photo Systems Inc. is based in Dexter, Michigan, and specializes in graphic chemical manufacturing. We provide clients worldwide with a variety of film-processing chemicals and other processing solutions. No matter the request, we have the chemicals you need to get the job done. We offer high-quality chemicals and an excellent turnaround time. Alan Fischer is the owner of Photo Systems Inc. and founded the company more than 45 years ago. Since then, he has manufactured a variety of different chemicals to fulfill his clients' needs, including photographic, micrographic, and X-ray chemicals.

Anyone use Arista chemicals from Freestyle?

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency