NOIR | Cypher25 Film Development Chart
Film Background
Cypher25 is a declassified Kodak Special Order black-and-white instrumentation film, produced on a durable ESTAR polyester base and originally designed for Cold War–era surveillance and scientific imaging. With an effective speed around ISO 25–32, it offers ultra-fine grain, exceptional sharpness, and a unique tonal response that recalls the legendary Panatomic-X while incorporating Kodak’s later T-grain technology. The result is a rare film that excels in bright daylight, studio flash, and any situation where resolution and subtle tonal separation are paramount.
| Developer | Dilution | ISO Rating | Development Time | Temperature | Agitation | Notes/Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D-76 / ID-11 | 1:1 | 25–32 | 9.5 min | 20°C (68°F) | Standard | Neutral tonality, excellent shadow detail, very fine grain |
| D-76 / ID-11 | Stock | 25–32 | 7.5 min | 20°C (68°F) | Standard | Balanced tones, slightly higher contrast than 1:1 |
| HC-110 | 1:31 (Dilution B) | 32 | 7 min | 20°C (68°F) | Standard | Crisp, snappy contrast with strong edge sharpness; Panatomic-X–like rendering |
| HC-110 | 1:63 (Dilution H) | 32 | 13 min | 20°C (68°F) | Gentle | Smoother tonal scale, slightly lower contrast, excellent highlight control |
| Rodinal | 1:50 | 25 | 11 min | 20°C (68°F) | Standard | Increased grain presence with razor-sharp edges; high acutance look |
| XTOL | 1:1 | 32 | 8.5 min | 20°C (68°F) | Standard | Full midtones, smooth gradation, very clean negatives |
* These times are recommended starting points for fresh chemistry. Variations in exposure, developer age, agitation, and scanning workflow may affect your final results. Cypher25 is a unique Cold War–era emulsion, so testing a short roll in your preferred workflow is strongly encouraged.