Developing HP5+ in HC-110/Rodinal?

luvmydogs · Sep 27, 2005

I just finished a roll of HP5+ only to realize that I have run out of DDX. I suppose I could go out and buy more, but before I do so, has any of you had any success with developing this film (ISO 400 no pushing nor pulling) in HC-110 or in Rodinal? I visited the Digital Truth site and it gave the development times (very short - 5-6 minutes in 20C), so I know I can use the developers. I'm just curious as to what kind of results I'd get.

Thanks for your help!

Jordan · Sep 27, 2005

HP5 Plus works very, very well in HC-110. The dilution B times are very short indeed. Instead, I recommend using Dilution H (half as strong as Dilution B) and developing HP5 Plus for 10 minutes at 24C. There are lots of threads discussing this combination here and at www.photo.net.

luvmydogs · Sep 27, 2005

Jordan,

Thanks for your suggestion. I'll try to do a search here again. (My first attempt didn't get me too far).

Incidentally, I've never developed in any other temperature than 20C.

ann · Sep 27, 2005

we have used hc110 sol. b for years with this film. 5 minutes at 68 degrees. lovely negatives.

modafoto · Sep 28, 2005

You get outstanding tones with Rodinal 1+50 and HP5+. And the grain is much less evident than with Tri-X btw.

A great combo. My favourite in the 400 range.

gnashings · Sep 28, 2005

Hi,

I think HP5+ in Rodinal is a very nice, classic looking "pair". The tonal range is wonderful and you can really "dig" into the latitude of the film (it seems that way to me - not a very technical finding, though) and get a wonderful variety depending on how you choose to print, etc. Also, I find the grain is not at all intrusive and has a nice "look" to it.
This may not be the best example of the combo, but its the only one I have scanned in :

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

(the photo was a bit of an experiment...)

Peter

modafoto · Sep 28, 2005

I just want to post a shot from me, too.

HP5+ @ EI 400 in Rodinal 1+50 for 13 minutes.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

thefizz · Sep 28, 2005

I have used HP5 in Rodinal 1:50 and was very happy with the results. As mentioned above, the tonal range was nice and the grain quite good.

I can't remember for how long I developed but will check this evening and let you know.

Peter

127 · Sep 28, 2005

You don't specify neg size.

In 120 6x4.5 I found hp5+ in rodinal nice, but the grain is potentially a touch intrusive when enlarged to 10x8. Definatly not unpleasent, but sufficient to be a matter of personal taste. If the subject can use a little grain then I'd definatly go for it, but if it needs to be smooth, then try something else.

For a smaller neg, I'd avoid for general use (though I've dev'ed hp5 110 in it when I wanted that effect), for LF then it's a keeper.

Ian

luvmydogs · Sep 28, 2005

I appreciate everyone's help! So it looks like either Rodinal or HC-110 would work. My roll is 35mm. I think I might go with the HC-110 this time, because from what y'all have said, it seems that grain may be less of an issue vs. Rodinal. I'm not grain-adverse; the subjects in this roll of film may not be as suited to grain (buildings, scenery in Central Park, etc.). I visited NYC a couple of weeks ago and had a blast taking photos.

mario Ag+ · Sep 28, 2005

Definetly one of my most used combos. Absolutly beautiful grain. The 1+50 dilution I think gives a better tonal range plus the compensation effects one would expect. Try ratting the film at ISO 200 and develop for 9 mins at 20 degrees at the 1+50 dilution. This is an interesting combo you might like. The 9 mins In this case is for a condenser enlarger that I use. You MIght have to give it an extra minute if you use a difuser one.

Andy K · Sep 28, 2005

I quite like HP5 in Rodinal 1+25, the grain is wonderful at that concentration.

thefizz · Sep 28, 2005

thefizz said:
I have used HP5 in Rodinal 1:50 and was very happy with the results. As mentioned above, the tonal range was nice and the grain quite good.

I can't remember for how long I developed but will check this evening and let you know.

Found it - 1:50 for 14 minutes with just a few seconds agitation each minute.

gnashings · Sep 29, 2005

modafoto said:
I just want to post a shot from me, too.

HP5+ @ EI 400 in Rodinal 1+50 for 13 minutes.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I like yours better Love the reflections in the glasses and the way the skin is light yet there is no blow outs! Great work!

Yep - waaay off topic. I know. Sorry.

Peter.

modafoto · Sep 29, 2005

gnashings said:
I like yours better Love the reflections in the glasses and the way the skin is light yet there is no blow outs! Great work!

This sure warms my heart! I think the photo really is spot on with the light skin still with a little detail left.

PepMiro · Sep 30, 2005

I develop HP5+ in Todinal 1+50 at 20ºC during 15 minutes and agitation of 5 seconds every 30 with great results. Ilfosol-S is also a good combination, but I prefer tonal range of Rodinal 1-50. I also tried Rodinal 1+25 but, in my opinion, 1+50 gives better tonal range.

jim appleyard · Sep 30, 2005

Odd, but everyone here seems to like HP-5 in Rodinal (count me in too), but at photo.net, it's a sin to use this combo. Don't know why.

Andy K · Sep 30, 2005

jim appleyard said:
Odd, but everyone here seems to like HP-5 in Rodinal (count me in too), but at photo.net, it's a sin to use this combo. Don't know why.

Because it gums up their memory cards.

gnashings · Oct 1, 2005

Andy K said:
Because it gums up their memory cards.

Hehehehheee... I laughed so hard... I think I woke up the neighbours

pschauss · Oct 19, 2005

After reading these postings I had to try HP5+ in Rodinal. I have posted an example in the gallery:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I exposed the film at EI 400 and developed it in Rodinal 1+50 for 11 minutes. This is definitely a combination that I will use again. (This is the first time that I have posted a link to the gallery. I hope that I did it correctly.)

MMfoto · Feb 7, 2006

jim appleyard said:
Odd, but everyone here seems to like HP-5 in Rodinal (count me in too), but at photo.net, it's a sin to use this combo. Don't know why.

I've been wondering about this too. A lot of people say not to use this combo who would use TX/Rodinal. The development times on boxes of Rodinal only recommend the 1:25 dilution. Anyone know why? A friend of mine uses HP5 and Rodinal 1:50 exclusively, and his work is amazing.

gnashings · Feb 7, 2006

MMfoto said:
I've been wondering about this too. A lot of people say not to use this combo who would use TX/Rodinal. The development times on boxes of Rodinal only recommend the 1:25 dilution. Anyone know why? A friend of mine uses HP5 and Rodinal 1:50 exclusively, and his work is amazing.

Maybe its just my cynicism... but you do use more stuff that way, perhaps it was AGFA's way of ensuring a little more turn over

Earl Dunbar · Feb 7, 2006

gnashings: I seriously doubt that. Probably they just didn't do any testing, so wouldn't recommend. I only use manufacturer's recommendations as a starting point anyway. If you only ever try published times, you may miss "the best way", IMO.

gainer · Feb 8, 2006

There is one thing about HP5+ in Rodinal that may be a blessing or a curse. At 1+50, it will not give a CI greater than 0.61. That also means that when you push it, there's little chance of blowing highlights. I think you could stand-develop that combo for 20 or 30 minutes without problems. I know for a fact that you can do 1+100 for 30 minutes with agitation for a few seconds at 0, 10 and 20 minutes. Don't go imagining what the grain or gradations would look like. Just try it once.

MMfoto · Feb 8, 2006

gainer said:
There is one thing about HP5+ in Rodinal that may be a blessing or a curse. At 1+50, it will not give a CI greater than 0.61. That also means that when you push it, there's little chance of blowing highlights.

That must be the reason they omit data for that combo. Though the update never made it to the Rodinal box(an early sign of the end coming?), Agfa published 30 minute! development times for their "new" version of APX400 1:50 for what I assume is the same reason. I had a real bad time trying to use this film 1:50 and switched to 1:25 and never looked back. Amazing highlight retention even at 1:25. It amazes me when a film says no to Rodinal.

Developing HP5+ in HC-110/Rodinal?

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