Comparison of Graininess and Speeds of Different Types of Photographic Films

In this investigation the graininess and speed of the more popular commercial films developed in typical fine-grain developers were determined quantitatively. It was found that the differences in graininess produced by the developers were small in comparison with the inherent differences among the various films. Certain fine-grain developers were effective in reducing the graininess of fast, coarse-grain emulsions, but only at the sacrifice of effective emulsion speed. These developers, however, were only slightly effective in reducing the graininess of slow, fine-grain emulsions, small differences in density or contrast completely obscuring the effects of the developers.