Film Photography Project FPP-76

madNbad · Sep 3, 2023

I have enjoyed learning about developing Tr-X in Rodinal but want to try a couple of different developers. I ordered a bottle of Ilfotec HC and expect it will give similar results to HC-110. I was looking at Adox XT-3 but it's out of stock until the end of October and I really don't want five liters of XTOL. I have also been looking at Adox D-76. B&H has one liter bags in stock but they won't ship it to my location. I was about ready to give up when I came across FPP-76 from the Film Photography Project. It's $8.99 for a one liter bag and thought it would be worth a try. I didn't know if any members had used it and thought I would ask.

Alex Benjamin · Sep 3, 2023

Ilford's ID-11 is the same as Kodak D-76, and easily available. Sold in powder packs to make 1L.

FriedLouisStudio · Sep 4, 2023

I recently switched from Kodak D-76 (which I've used nonstop since the early 60s) to FPP-76, because I only develop small volumes of film these days. Alas, Kodak no longer makes quart/liter packages of D-76, only bigger ones... which would end up going bad on me long before I even used half.

Anyway, I have now used three or four packages of FPP-76 in the last year or so... and as far as I can tell, it performs IDENTICALLY to Great Yellow Father's. Some scans:

Tri-X shot in OM-2n, 100mm/f2.8 Zuiko:

Tri-X shot in Nikkormat FTN, 13.5cm/f3.5, 45mm/f2.8 GN, 28mm/f3.5 Nikkors:

Double-X shot in Pen F, 38mm/f1.8 Zuiko:

madNbad · Sep 4, 2023

FriedLouisStudio said:
I recently switched from Kodak D-76 (which I've used nonstop since the early 60s) to FPP-76, because I only develop small volumes of film these days. Alas, Kodak no longer makes quart/liter packages of D-76, only bigger ones... which would end up going bad on me long before I even used half.

Anyway, I have now used three or four packages of FPP-76 in the last year or so... and as far as I can tell, it performs IDENTICALLY to Great Yellow Father's. Some scans:

Tri-X shot in OM-2n, 100mm/f2.8 Zuiko:

View attachment 348227 View attachment 348228

Tri-X shot in Nikkormat FTN, 13.5cm/f3.5, 45mm/f2.8 GN, 28mm/f3.5 Nikkors:

View attachment 348231 View attachment 348232 View attachment 348233

Double-X shot in Pen F, 38mm/f1.8 Zuiko:

View attachment 348229 View attachment 348230

Thanks! Since it won't be my primary developer, a one liter package should give me a good idea. I want to try it diluted 1:1.
P.S. You have two of my all time favorite Nikkor lenses, the 28 3.5 and the 45 GN!!

FriedLouisStudio · Sep 4, 2023

Yeah, these negs are all from D-76 diluted 1:1. I should have mentioned that. I always dilute 1:1.

The 45 GN is my most-used Nikkor lens. I don't understand why it isn't better loved: it's so small/light and very sharp! I don't use the 28 frequently, I usually prefer the awesome 35mm/f2 if I want to go wider than the GN.

I should note that all these non-AI lenses were purchased by my pro-photog parents in the 60s/early 70s. The 28 is from 1968, the GN from 1969 - it has the original 9-blade iris. Despite professional use, none of these lenses have ever required a repair or CLA! The only Nikkor we had fail was the 43-86mm/f3.5 zoom... which was a dog to start with.

madNbad · Sep 4, 2023

The 45 GN is the only Nikkor lens that focuses in the right to left Leica/Canon direction. It also has the cam instead of a helical mount giving the slack feel before any focusing happens. I had a 9 blade and after servicing it was great. Sold all my Nikon gear but I do miss that lens!
I thought it was worth it to send the Film Photograph Project folks some business.

madNbad · Sep 18, 2023

Just developed the first few rolls and this may be my primary developer. Mixes easily and in convenient, for me, one liter packages. Started out with a 1+3 dilution for twenty minutes and am pleased with the results:
M4-2, Voigtlander 35 1.4 Nokton Classic SC V2, ND4 filter, Tri-X @ ISO 200, Film Photography Project FPP-76:

madNbad · Sep 18, 2023

A few more from the second roll.
M4-2, Voigtlander 35 1.4 Nokton Classic SC V2, ND4 filter, Tri-X @ ISO 200, FPP-76 1+3:

madNbad · Sep 28, 2023

I've started using the FPP-76 diluted 1+1. I did a single roll for the recommended 10 minutes at 20C but didn't like the results, the negatives look too thin. The next two rolls were in a single 480ml tank. I increased the time to 12.5 minutes and they're better.
M4-2 Voigtlander 35 1.4 Nokton Classic SC V2, 022 yellow filter, Tri-X @ ISO 200, FPP-76 1+1:

I just ordered three more one liter bags. While I was on the FPP site, they offer their version of HC-110. It's available in either a 8 ounce or one liter bottle. The 8 ounce was $12.99 so I decided to give it a try.

loccdor · Apr 20, 2024

Great images @madNbad, I especially liked the tree roots on the beach.

I just mixed up a liter of this FPP76 myself. It was surprising how fast it goes into solution compared to Kodak's. On the label, they only recommend 100F for mixing, but I used around 140F and it worked fine. It only took a few seconds of shaking the bottle to stop seeing particles. Let it sit 10 minutes, then filled the other half of the liter with cold water and shook it up. Then let it sit an hour or two. Developed 2 films with the stock solution and everything seemed normal. I will try the method of adding 10% to development times for every film and stop around 20.

Film Photography Project FPP-76

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