ravenisis

Most of what I did was using Kodak Tri-X 400, and later, Ilford film in 400 and 800. I shot a couple of rolls of faster stuff (I think Kodak came out with TMax (or perhaps a predecessor to it) about the time I stopped - call it 1982 - it might have been 1200 ASA, but for what I was doing 800 was plenty fast.

When pushing I had good results using a two step D76 developer ... looked around, and saw a couple of discussions about 'divided D76', and its pretty much how I remember it. You might give it a whirl. As far as development times go .... when getting a feel for a particular film/developer combo I'd get and shoot a couple of rolls of 135-12 on the same scenes, then (and record keeping is key here) develop them a couple of different ways (varying dev times, etc.) and see what outcomes I liked more.

Wish I could say more, but I've never even seen a roll of 3600 - out of the loop for too long

Why the need for speed? Low ambient lighting and/or action photography?

Thanks. Today I still can't stretch out my right shoulder to full extension, and it feels "tight", but at least the eyeball-explulsing pain has subsided.

Guess that qualifies as both low ambient lighting and action photography

Eastman Kodak used to have an excellent series of reference books (and other companies - Ilford, Agfa, etc. did too) . Couldn't find the particular handbook I was thinking about on their website (a complete formulary of their products, including how to mix them from raw chemicals, development time guides ... the whole enchilada), so suspect it is no longer in print. My copy isn't immediately locatable - although this gives me yet another good reason to clean out my basement.

Kodak does have a decent range of free-to-download PDFs guides (index), and instructions/tips for their currently available photo chemicals such as D-76 developer.

Took a look on Amazon, and saw several books worth checking out.

The Film Developing Cookbook (and it's companion volume, "The Darkroom Cookbook, Second Edition") get good reviews.

I also highly recommend reading Ansel Adam's "The Negative". It is heavily technical (and somewhat dated), but so well written it remains accessible for enthusiasts at all skill levels, and remember learning a lot from it.