Dokumol/Eukobrom alternatives?

[bernard_L]

Dokumol was a contrast enhancing developer which manages to increase the contrast of the paper by up to one grade. This was pretty unique

I consider this to be either marketing hype or Yet Another Internet Myth. I spent my money and time (back in 2014) to find out, following an expert recommendation on this platform. Tests with Fomabrom Variant 111. Dektol 1+2 versus Dokumol 1+6. The only difference was that development was faster in dokumol, at the stated dilution (but, to completion in both cases).

Sure, I should have watched closely the language "up to one grade", so I'm a consenting victim. Anyway, the contrast increase is zero. Zilch.

 

[miha]

@bernard_L maybe because Dektol is a high-contrast developer to begin with?

 

[bernard_L]

@bernard_L maybe because Dektol is a high-contrast developer to begin with?

I had not thought of THAT one.

 

[Reginald S]

Rollei RHC (where HC states high contrast) may be worth a try.
I remember substituting Dokumol with RHC years ago, just for saving money but without great differencies coming to my nonscientic view..

 

[miha]

I remember substituting Dokumol with RHC years ago

For film or paper?

 

[koraks]

@bernard_L maybe because Dektol is a high-contrast developer to begin with?

Paper is generally developed to completion. As a result, differences between developers will be limited to fairly subtle alterations of toe & shoulder and image tone/hue.

 

[Elmarc]

I had not thought of THAT one.

I have achieved an extra grade with graded paper and Dokumol and a grade less with Centrabrom.

 

[Elmarc]

Dokumol was a contrast enhancing developer which manages to increase the contrast of the paper by up to one grade. This was pretty unique and will not be possible with the alternatives mentioned. Eukobrom was a standard blue-black working developer which is quite well matched with Neutol NE from our range. MCC developer is a superior developer yielding a better DMax. We are still wondering if we should bring back Dokumol. What are your thoughts?

I entered your 'poll' asking for Dokumol and Centrabrom ;-)

 

[Elmarc]

What I don't like about it is the marginally greenish tone in Ilford's own Multigrade developer - hence I tone it slightly in selenium. Like the OP, I'd love to avoid that step.

I had the same experience with Ilford MG developer. There was a marked difference when I switched to Dokumol.

 

[Reginald S]

For film or paper?

I took RHC for paper only.