The attached photos are developed in homebrew pa-Rodinal at 1:50 for 12Min, Kodak Tmax-400, Leica M6 w 50mm F2 Summitar.

Here are some of the variants of the Formulae, and the one I used at the bottom. Note the main difference between the original formula and the paRODINAL formula is the lack of hydrochloric acid.

With Rodinal becoming a bit harder to get (at least harder to ship) these days, making your own is rewarding and cost effective.

Original Laboratory Formula (1891)

Water (125F/52C)- 750ml
Sodium Sulfite (dessicated) – 50 grams
Sodium Hydroxide – 25 grams
p-Aminophenol Hydrochloride – 5 grams
Water 1000 ml

After making the formula, there is not enough p-Aminophenol to give good overall development and contrast. It is recommended that 7 grams of p-Aminophenol be used.

Rodinal Production Formula (1893-1896)

Solution A:
Water (125F/52C) – 250 ml
Potassium Metabisulfite (dessicated) – 50 grams
p-Aminophenol Hydrochloride – 5-7 grams
Potassium Carbonate – 25 grams
Sodium Hydroxide – 25 grams
Cold water to make 500 ml

Decant the Solution into a clear glass capped bottle, shake the bottle, then loosen and re-tighten the cap and allow the solution to settle. The complete solution should age for 72 hours in dim or dark place, yet after the first 12 hours of settling, filter it through a sheet of white linen, re-bottle and then allow it to settle for the remaining 60 hours before use.

Rodinal Production Formula (1897-1915)

Solution A:
Water (125F/52C) – 800 ml
Sodium Sulfite (dessicated) – 150 grams
p-Aminophenol Hydrochloride – 20 grams
Potassium Carbonate – 25 grams
Citric Acid – 10 grams
Lithium Hydroxide – 8-15 grams
Cold water to make 1000 ml

Decant the Solution into a clear glass capped bottle, shake the bottle, then loosen and re-tighten the cap and allow the solution to settle. The complete solution should age for 72 hours in dim or dark place, yet after the first 12 hours of settling, filter it through a sheet of white linen, re-bottle and then allow it to settle for the remaining 60 hours before use.

NOTE: Solution B is presented for historical purposes only. It is optional, but should only be included if you are using p-Aminophenol instead of p-Aminophenol Hydrochloride. Solution B has no active function and is used as a coloring agent only.

Solution B:
Water (125F/52C) – 20 ml
Eosine – 10 ml
Cold water to make – 50 ml

Mix Solution B on the second day of the aging process. Allow Solution B to settle for 20-30 minutes first, to become uniform in color, then slowly add to Solution A until you see a color change of your liking.., then stop. Re-cap bottle and let stand for the remainder of the 72 hours.

Rodinal Production Formula (1924-1940)

Solution A:
Water (125F/52C) – 250 ml
Sodium Sulfite (dessicated) – 50 grams
p-Aminophenol Hydrochloride – 5-7 grams
Potassium Carbonate – 25 grams
Cold water to make 450 ml

Solution B:
Water (ice cold) – 50ml
Lithium Hydroxide – 8-15 grams

Slowly mix in the caustic solution (Solution B) with Solution A until the precipitate appears and then dissolves. If you have reached the end of the solution B on hand before the precipitate dissolves, continue to add the caustic material until the precipitate in Solution A is dissolved.

Now decant the Solution into a clear glass capped bottle, shake the bottle, then loosen and re-tight the cap and allow the solution to settle. The complete solution should age for 72 hours in a dim or dark place, yet after the first 12 hours of settling, filter it through a sheet of white linen, re-bottle and then allow it to settle for the remaining 60 hour before use.

Rodinal Production Formula (1941)

pa_Rodinal film developer

Mixing instructions: Add chemicals in specified sequence. LET STAND IN SEALED CONTAINER 72 HOURS BEFORE USING

Dilution: as Rodinal

Starting point development time: as Rodinal

Notes: Keep crystals from bottom of container with liquid when decanting, stir before drawing off concentrate for dilution. Use within 30 mins of dilution. p-Aminophenol is sold as Paracetamol or Tylenol and is available from any pharmacy. It is claimed the shelf life is 90 days, but many people have reported using this as old as 5 years.