Developer advice for 5x4 film

numnutz · Mar 10, 2008

Hi - I am currently using 5x4 film (Foma 100 and HP5+) and developing in an HP Combi? sheet film tank using Diaphine.

I wish to use the 5x4 negatives for Alternate Process contact printing with Cyanotypes, Vandyke Browns, and later on Gum Bichromates.
Most of the negatives I have processed so far are very flat and seem to have more than the fog level I am used to. I chose Diaphine because the above tank takes me at least 45 seconds to fill / empty and the Diaphine seems to be fairly time tolerant.

And so can anyone recommend a developer that I could try that has a fairly long development time (say 10 Minutes), so I don't get uneven development, and will also give me a decent contrast for the above processes?. It would be really nice if I could develop both types of film I use at the same time but this is not essential. But I would like to be able to just have the one solution for both films. I would prefer to mix a large amount of stock solution and dilute for 1 shot use if possible.

Sorry to be a bit particular

Thank you all in advance for any replies

nn

snallan · Mar 10, 2008

If you are particularly interested in alternative processes, I would recommend going with a staining developer.

Personally, I use pyrocat HD, but that is because I do my film processing on a Jobo rotary processor, and the pyrocat is more tolerant, not oxidising as readily as pyrogallol based formulae (no data to back that up, just personal experience ).

Steve Smith · Mar 10, 2008

I'm using Ilford DD-X at the moment. About nine minutes is right for HP5+ (@ EI 400).
I don't know what the time for Foma 100 is though.

Steve.

Monophoto · Mar 10, 2008

Many of the alternative process folks choose staining developers. And with some of those, there is the option of stand development that would extend the processing time sufficiently that the time required to fill/empty the tank is insignificant.

Another option would be to use HC-110 in dilution H. My standard development time with that chemical is 11 minutes.

Tom Hoskinson · Mar 10, 2008

numnutz said:
Hi - I am currently using 5x4 film (Foma 100 and HP5+) and developing in an HP Combi? sheet film tank using Diaphine.

I wish to use the 5x4 negatives for Alternate Process contact printing with Cyanotypes, Vandyke Browns, and later on Gum Bichromates.
Most of the negatives I have processed so far are very flat and seem to have more than the fog level I am used to. I chose Diaphine because the above tank takes me at least 45 seconds to fill / empty and the Diaphine seems to be fairly time tolerant.

And so can anyone recommend a developer that I could try that has a fairly long development time (say 10 Minutes), so I don't get uneven development, and will also give me a decent contrast for the above processes?. It would be really nice if I could develop both types of film I use at the same time but this is not essential. But I would like to be able to just have the one solution for both films. I would prefer to mix a large amount of stock solution and dilute for 1 shot use if possible.

Sorry to be a bit particular

Thank you all in advance for any replies

nn

Pyrocat HD or Pyrocat -MC with semi stand agitation (thus 1 shot developer usage) The development times will be fairly close for both film types that you mention - based on my experience. With the 1+1+100 dilution of Pyrocat I expect development times in the range of 14 to 18 minutes (with Semi-Stand Agitation).

bwakel · Mar 10, 2008

I too use Ilford DDX. Try 11 minutes for Fomapan 100 - I find this combination of film and developer gives really nice results.

Mark_S · Mar 10, 2008

Have you thought of developing with BTZS tubes rather than the Convu tank? You eliminate the concern over fill time, I got very consistent results from BTZS tubes (I now use a Jobo processor, which is also great) and you can make your own tubes for the price of a couple of sheets of film using parts available from your local DIY shop.

fhovie · Mar 10, 2008

I am completely happy with Pyrocat - I use the -PC/Glycol Version and develop FP4+ for 54 minutes with one agitation every 10.5 minutes. The negatives are bulletproof.

23mjm · Mar 10, 2008

bwakel said:
I too use Ilford DDX. Try 11 minutes for Fomapan 100 - I find this combination of film and developer gives really nice results.

Hummm Fomapan 100/AristaEDU 100 in DDX for 11 min. Might have to give that a try I love DDX for D100,D400,D3200&FP4+. But have been using D-67 for AristaEDU 100, would be nice to have only one developer to buy and store. Thanks for the info.

cotdt · Mar 10, 2008

Rodinal or DDX, but all developers I've used with 4x5 work well. I never get any problems.

Tom Hoskinson · Mar 10, 2008

cotdt said:
Rodinal or DDX, but all developers I've used with 4x5 work well. I never get any problems.

If DDX works ok, then D-76, HC110, TMAX and Microphen should also work fine (and they do).

I like staining developers, and I use Pyrocat.

Harry Lime · Mar 10, 2008

Barry Thornton's 2-bath.
Because it's divided the development is very predicable and easy to control

Erik Hartmann · Mar 10, 2008

Just a silly question from someone, who have never tried pyrocat..... Do you make it yourself and can you by it (and where in Europe)

Tom Hoskinson · Mar 10, 2008

Erik Hartmann said:
Just a silly question from someone, who have never tried pyrocat..... Do you make it yourself and can you by it (and where in Europe)

I mix mine from scratch. In the USA you can buy it premixed fro Photographers Formulary and Bostick and Sullivan. I understand that there are several European sources for premixed Pyrocat.

numnutz · Mar 10, 2008

Thanks for all the advice. I shall probably opt for Pyrocat (pre-mixed at first) from Silverprint.

Then try making it up myself.

nn

nworth · Mar 11, 2008

Most alternative processes need some extra contrast. Sandy King has had good results using Pyrocat-HD to produce negatives that can be used for both regular silver and alternative processes. Other pyro and pyrocatechol formulas may produce similar results. (The stain is more effective in the ultraviolet, where the alternative processes are sensitive.) Grain will not be a problem, so if you use a conventional developer you can choose a vigorous one to keep the contrast up. Agfa 42, Defender 3-D, Ilford ID-2, Kodak DK-50 and DK-60a are all possibilities. But somewhat extended development in a more common developer like D-76 (ID-11) also works well.

Developer advice for 5x4 film

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