Developer for FP4+

[timbo10ca]

What is everybody's favorite developer for FP4+? I have been using Ilfosol S for its ease of use, but it seems to always hit it's shelf-life expectancy before I finish a bottle off. I like its charateristics, and am wondering if there is something out there that may be similar, but lasts longer. I was thinking I might be willing to try a powder, but reading the datasheets at the Ilford and Kodak websites leads me to believe that the packet has to be mixed all at once and only lasts for 6 months thereafter anyway (no better off than my current situation). Is this in fact the case? Ideally I'd like to stick with Ilford.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[Paul Howell]

In the Illford family I like DDX.

 

[Neal]

Dear Tim,

The easiest solution is to make more photographs. ;>)

Seriously, don't pitch developer becaue i'ts a little old. The life expectancies given by the manufacturers are quite conservative. You say you like it so really, the worst case is you toss out the last bit of a fairly inexpensive developer.

Neal Wydra

 

[noseoil]

You might try Formulary's pyrocat-hd made with glycol. Long shelf life, one shot, cheap and easy to use. tim

 

[Steve Smith]

Ilfosol S does not keep well which is why Ilfosol 3 has been created. I have not seen any for sale yet though.

I used to use Ilfosol but I have changed to LC-29.

Steve.

 

[jim appleyard]

It would be easier to ask, "What devs DON'T you like with FP-4?"

My favorites are Rodinal and WD2D, but I haven't tried all the others...yet!

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

For developing FP4+, I like Pyrocat-MC (mixed in Propylene Glycol), Instant Mytol and Rodinal.

 

[bob01721]

DD-X.

 

[Jean Noire]

Don't have any problem with well worn oldies like d76/id11
Regards
John

 

[Jean Noire]

BTW just use marbles to replace the air in the storage bottles and have used stock solution for a year without problem.
John

 

[robert e]

I got fed up with Ilfosol S' short life and switched to HC110. Ilford has a copy called Ilfotec HC. HC110 lasts practically forever as a syrup. I like it with FP4. Great handling tips at http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/hc110/index.html

I've been using Diafine recently (lasts practically forever as a working solution), but haven't yet tried FP4 in it.

 

[DrPablo]

I like xtol diluted 1:1 for 11 minutes. I reuse the same stock again and again. When it starts to get a little older I add a couple minutes on.

 

[timbo10ca]

Thanks everybody- I got some great ideas for the future when I expand my process a bit. Robert- I'm definitely going to try the HC110 sometime.

Tim

 

[fschifano]

I'm with the guy who has no problem with D-76 or ID-11. I always use it one shot at 1+1 and I honestly can't say that I've seen anything considerably better. As far as lasting power goes, the stuff keeps pretty well. I have had some D-76 mixed up that was past it's official expiration date that worked just fine. Instead of storing it in 1 large gallon jug, I split it into smaller bottles that are full to the top. This way you never have a partially full bottle sitting around for very long.

 

[Bruce Osgood]

With D-76 you can't go wrong. You may find something you like better if you begin experimenting but for consistent results start with D-76 or ID-11. I build my own D-76 and eliminate Hydroquione as suggested somewhere and the stuff keeps in stock solution for months. I just used up some stock from April '06 and you wouldn't know it was almost a year old. I use it 1+1.

 

[brian steinberger]

Tim,

I've had very good results using ID-11 1:3. The higher dilution gives slightly higher accutance. But recently have found Pyrocat HD to work the best with FP4.

Brian

 

[Zathras]

What is everybody's favorite developer for FP4+? I have been using Ilfosol S for its ease of use, but it seems to always hit it's shelf-life expectancy before I finish a bottle off. I like its charateristics, and am wondering if there is something out there that may be similar, but lasts longer. I was thinking I might be willing to try a powder, but reading the datasheets at the Ilford and Kodak websites leads me to believe that the packet has to be mixed all at once and only lasts for 6 months thereafter anyway (no better off than my current situation). Is this in fact the case? Ideally I'd like to stick with Ilford.

Thanks,
Tim

Tim,

My vote goes to either Ilfotec-HC or Kodak HC-110. In either case, I would dilute straight from the syrup rather than a stock solution. I would also dilute the syrup 1+63 or 1+79 to take advantage of the better contrast control provided by highly diluted developers. Undiluted, either of these developers will least for years, and If used with higher dilutions, make for an economical one-shot developer. 3ml of the HC-110 or Ilfotec-HC concentrate is enough to develop 80 square inches of film, which equals one 120 roll or one 36 exposure roll of 35mm. I like the image quality I get from both developers.

Mike Sullivan

 

[nworth]

Just about everything works at least reasonably well with FP4. I usually use D-76. I mix it from scratch and use it all at one time, as one-shots. DDX has been highly recommended, but there may be a shelf life problem if you don't shoot that much. Your best bet might be HC-110, since it has a long life and comes as an easy to mix liquid. It is also quite economical. Pyrocat-HD works quite well with FP4, and the glycol version might be worth a try, if you prefer the pyro/pyrocat look.

 

[Loth]

DDX is perfect, HC110 also, nice grain, and Rodinal is special

 

[Tom Stanworth]

Xtol is lovely.....most are good with this film which is not exactly fussy. If you like Ilfosol, keep using it. Just crewe the cap on really tight and forget about it. mine has been fine after 3 months in a mostly empty bottle....

 

[eddie gunks]

i soup fp4 in hc110 dil g (119:1) 18 min at 20C. agitation every 3rd min. works great. (i use this for foma 100 also)

eddie

 

[waynecrider]

I use to use Xtol and always got very very nice negs. In stoppered bottles, or in flooded bottles with nitrogen I would get a years storage. I'm just now returning to Xtol after hiatus into other developers and will be using it (along side TFX2 for stand developing) till my supplies of Tmax and TXP in 4x5 run out. I think that you may need to consider whether you want a solvent or non-solvent developer depending on the work your doing. I'm using one of each.

 

[Ole]

Another vote for Ilfotec HC.

I measure out the necessary amount of syrup with a syringe, and the concentrate lasts for a very long time.

 

[hal9000]

HC-110 produces too high contrast for me

I tested FP4+ with HC-110 dilution E (1:47). My results (see attachment) show high contrast with this combination - even with very short development times (4 minutes), I calculate a gamma value of 0.58 (slightly more than normal N development = 0.57). So I decided not to use HC-110 with FP4+, I will repeat the test with another developer (I am planning to test Rodinal and ID-11 1:1). I have read elsewhere that this combination is known to be quite high in contrast, has anyone else measured and obtained similar results?

 

[PHOTOTONE]

Xtol in deep tank??

I was reading an article in Photo Techniques (or) Darkroom Techniques several years ago about the creation of Xtol, and it seemed as told by its inventors that it was intended for deep tank as well as small applications such as small reel and tanks.

I was just wondering what the life of Xtol would be in a 3.5 gallon tank? I have a tank developing array, those black Cesco-lite tanks with the lids. I need to mix up fresh b/w developer. My developer previous has been D-76, which has a nice long tank life (replenished or not).