developer recommendation for hp5+120mm

[Bryan Murray]

I've been using microdol-x with hp5+ 120mm for a long time and it works great but i would like to try a developer that doesn't get rid of the grain so much. Just curious what people might recommend?

I've been rating my film speed at 200, using the zone system and developing at 20% less than the recommended time. I want to keep the same process but with a different developer to see if i like the grain better. Does anyone use this film/process but with a different developer?

Thanks

 

[Rick A]

After using D-76 for over 40 years(and the occasional Microx) I have been messing around with Pyrocat HD. WOW, what a difference. I love the look of my 6x6 negs with FP-4 and HP-5, Acros 100, PanF+, so far, everything I put through it looks super. I am going to be running some Rollei Ortho, and Ilford Ortho+ through it next. I also have a large stash of Adox CHS 25 that I'm sure will benefit from Pyrocat HD. Almost forgot, ran some APX 100 (35mm) through it a few weeks ago,(first try w/Pyro)thats what got me hooked.

Rick

 

[Chazzy]

When you ask a question like this, everyone is going to suggest his favorite developer, and the wide variety of responses will probably not help you make up your mind. My suggestion would be Xtol, since the grain will be less mushy, and you will gain speed. But of course you will have to start all over again with refining the time you leave the film in the developer. Before you do that, you might also try diluting the Microdol 1+3; I've never done that myself, but my understanding is that it behaves very differently at high dilutions.

 

[Bryan Murray]

When you ask a question like this, everyone is going to suggest his favorite developer, and the wide variety of responses will probably not help you make up your mind. My suggestion would be Xtol, since the grain will be less mushy, and you will gain speed. But of course you will have to start all over again with refining the time you leave the film in the developer. Before you do that, you might also try diluting the Microdol 1+3; I've never done that myself, but my understanding is that it behaves very differently at high dilutions.

yep i do dilute it 1+3. but i picked up some xtol today at bandh. so i'll try that and see what happens.

 

[PhotoJim]

I use PMK but good old D-76/ID-11 1+1 is a good choice too.

Incidentally it's not 120 mm film - if you measure it it's just over 60 mm wide It's simply "120". 35mm is "135". These are Kodak product numbers that have persisted through the years. Double-length 120, without the full paper backing, is called "220" but is the same width, as you might expect.

 

[jpa]

Chazzy is correct, and I suppose that I'm going to give you my favorite developer.

If you want more grain, you can always go with Rodinal. I use HP5 fairly often ( not so much recently ), and I used to soup it in Rodinal 1:50. I rate it at 320, though. I've found that if you reduce the amount of agitation, then you can keep the contrast in check.

And not to throw a monkey wrench into things, but the last four or five rolls that I shot, I developed in a mix of HC-110 and Rodinal ( 8ml HC-110/3ml Rodinal/489ml water ). It might not be for everybody, but I tend to like it - you still get a great deal of tonality, but the little bit of Rodinal gives the highlights a nice "sparkle". I actually prefer this developer mix to straight Rodinal, and I'm a Rodinal Junkie!

 

[Lowell Huff]

I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OUR cLAYTON f 76plus WITH THIS ILFORD fILM. cONTACT ME AND I WILL SEND A SAMPLE

 

[Bryan Murray]

cool i'll check out rodinal. i thought they stopped making it but i just checked bandh website and they have agfa rodinal.
I do like hearing what people's favorite combo is though. It gives me plenty of ideas to try