D76 vs HC-110

I am thinking of switching from HC-110 to D76. When I looked at the Kodak datasheet on D76, it stated that the capacity at full strength was 16 sheets of 8x10 per gallon or 4 sheets per litre. Did I read read that incorrectly? It doesn't seem like a lot.

Take a look here.

If this is the case, and I am using it one-shot full strength, then I would need a minimum of 250ml per sheet. If I use it 1:1, I would need 500 ml per sheet and the processing time would double. Does that sound correct?

I would be interested in any comments on one vs the other with regard to rotary processing sheet film. Given how common both developers are among APUG members, I am expecting lots of really good answers!

Since HC-110 was designed by Kodak to duplicate the results of D-76 as closely as possible what would be your purpose in switching to D-76? Read the section on developer characteristics in link below.

http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/hc110/

Gerald C Koch said:

Since HC-110 was designed by Kodak to duplicate the results of D-76 as closely as possible what would be your purpose in switching to D-76? Read the section on developer characteristics in link below.

http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/hc110/

Click to expand...

In canada, (where the op is from) HC110 has really gotten expensive at around 70CAD per bottle.

Each photographer should do their own cost analysis between the two. Remember to count the loss of D-76 past its expiration point. HC-110 concentrate lasts nearly forever.

HC-110 definitely lasts 'forever', but I've been using D-76 that 'expired' 12+ years ago.

That's the equivalent of 16 rolls of 35mm per litre which sounds right. You would get best economy using a 3.5 gallon sink line with 2 gallons of replenisher. Mix fresh chemistry every two months or when you've used up the two gallons of replenisher. Or you could one-shot it using a drum or tray at 1:1.

XTol replenished or TMax RS replenished make the most sense for large format. If you follow Ilford's suggestions for replenishing ID-11, that would make sense too. Ilford's replenishment system for ID-11 depends on the fact that ID-11 comes packaged in two parts, so it cannot be used with D-76.

Gerald C Koch said:

Since HC-110 was designed by Kodak to duplicate the results of D-76 as closely as possible what would be your purpose in switching to D-76? Read the section on developer characteristics in link below.

http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/hc110/

Click to expand...

It definitely isn't a cost issue. I have been trying to work out a dilution of HC-110 for my Jobo that will allow me to cover the range from N-2 to N+2 (probably too amtious - I would be happy with N-1 to N+1). The problem is always at the lower end where the development times get too short for rotary processing. This is further compounded by the way in which the Jobo (an ATL-3) uses developer. You have to specify how much developer you are going to use according to pre-set amounts. If I could specify the exact amount it would make life easier but I can't, hence the experimentation. It is a rather complicated and wonky problem, and I am not sure I could explain it well in a short message. If you are really interested, I can message you privately. I think the problem is idiosyncratic to the ATL-3.

The bottom line is that I am hoping D76 will be very much like HC-110 but easier to use in terms of amounts with the ATL-3.

OK, the lowdown on D-76 vs HC-110:

First, Ilford's 'D-76' is ID-II and THEY state that it can be diluted to 1+3. I disagree: it can be diluted to 1+7, if you wanted to, with no deleterious effects . Period. And if that can, so can D-76. So what Kodak says about capacity is simply BS. Ilford tailors their instruction toward people who actually think and have a brain, whereas Kodak tailors its instruction toward people who are most likely to be sloppy. That is how it always was: just read Ilford's data sheets and you will see that their directives are anchored in common sense and Kodak's are, in too many cases, not. (NO, I am not being paid off by Simon Galley.)

The problem with D-76 (and ID-II) is that there is no restrainer in it. This serves to provide about 1/4-1/2 stop extra speed, because there is not removal of a tiny bit of fog (which is, as far as developer is concerned, the same as emerging shadow detail). The speed 'gain' is minuscule, but is there, and visible (with the most visually demanding scrutiny). HC-110 has a bit of restrainer and, thus, gives slightly cleaner negatives with practically no decrease in film speed. Consider the capacity of 'B' dilution to be about equivalent to D-76 full strength. - David Lyga

Where is no "vs" to me. HC-110 for all or Rodinal for slow films. Compactness, convenience and flexibility with both developers.
I need 350 ml of working developer mix for one 135 roll. One gallon of D-76 gives 21 rolls (3785.41178/175=21.6) with 1:1 dilution. One L of HC-110 gives 100 rolls with hcB dilution (1000/10=100).
D-76 is 15 CAD, HC-100 is 79 CAD.
To get 100 of 135 rolls with D-76 I need 5x15=75 CAD. And HC-110 is 79 CAD for 100 rolls.
I was able to get 2 x1L for 39 CAD each on previous Friday from local camera shop. This will keep me going for another two years. If not HC-110, I'm going to try Diafine, but not returning to D-76.

Dilution E for HC-110 appears to be popular others use dilution B 1+31. I use 1+49 because it is more "metric" and easier to calculate. Use the same times as for dilution E.

I've been using HC-110 for over 30 years and it's great stuff. I don't shoot box speed but at a bit lower ASA. I was lucky enough to find 6 bottles of HC-110 replenisher on Ebay for a song. I've been using my gallon of HC-110 (B) for over 2 years replenished and it's still going strong. Before I found my replenisher, I was using XTOL replenished. With XTOL, I can shoot box speed.

D-76 supposedly gives a bit finer grain and a bit more sharpness than HC-110. The downside is longevity. D-76 stock has a modest and limited life. If you mix your own, this is not usually a factor; when buying it, it is a major inconvenience and sometimes an expense. Even if you use it up on time, D-76 is probably a bit more expensive than HC-110. You will usually use D-76 diluted 1:1 as a on-shot, much like HC-110. Capacity is not a factor in this way of doing things. D-76 has enough capacity to develop whatever is in the tank. When using and reusing it undiluted, which some people prefer, capacity is a factor, and it is about the same as other developers.