ADOX MCP 312 in Moersch ECO 4812, developing time?

[oyxy]

Hi everyone,

I am very new to B&W photography. Recently I tried to set up a darkroom in my bathroom. I would like to know how long should I develop MCP 312 RC paper in Moersch ECO 4812 1:14 solution. On the Moersch bottle, it suggest the developing time as long as 3 min, but it doesn't state whether that's for RC paper or FB paper. I tried 3 min developing, but it turns out to be too dark.

Another question is about sharpness, my developed photos have big grains. I don't think there is anything wrong with my camera. I'm not sure if it's caused by improper film development or enlarging process.

The film development is ADOX CHS 100 + HC-110(B), the temperature was about 22 oC, for 6 min. Gently upside down every 30s. Is there anything wrong with this process that might cause larger grains?

My exposure is at F11, for ~10s, then in 1:14 Moersch ECO4812 for 3 min, then in stop bath for 10s, in fixer for 1 min.

Thank you for your attention!

Richard

 

[gurkenprinz]

Hi Richard,

RC b&w papers develop to completion, so instead of cutting the development time short, you should reduce the exposure given to the paper!

I use both MCP and Moersch Eco, and I can assure you that you will be very happy once you have picked the best exposure time from a test strip.

 

[oyxy]

Hi gurkenprinz,

Thanks for your reply!

Therefore you always keep the development for 3 min in Moersch, right? Could you please let me know your typical exposure time with aperture?

The larger grains in my photos are more possible to be caused by improper film development condition? Maybe the temperature is a bit too high? Time is abit too long?

 

[gurkenprinz]

Hey Richard,

I dont have any notes about aperture times, but they differ significantly: depending on the paper size, negative size, the film used and on the exposure of the frame I am printing. So no use for you even if I could tell you some times. You have to find out for each negative with a test strip.

As for the film grain thing, I dont have a clue what causes this. maybe if you could show a scan?