I just tested my first and probably last batch of Fortepan 200 4x5 sheet film according to Phil Davis / Ralph Lambrecht using a 31-step wedge and very dilute HC-110 (dilution 'H', 1:63). I expected a development time of about 14 minutes (twice the published time for the B dilution), so for my developing time test I developed for 4, 5.5, 9, 15, 25 and 41 minutes at 20°C. I use a Combiplan tank and agitated constantly for the first 30 sec. and then about 5 seconds every 30 seconds by raising and lowering the film holder.
I determined the gamma values for each development time between 0.17 and 1.37 D according to Ralph Lambrecht (Way Beyond Monochrome).
Surprisingly, even at 4 minutes I had a gamma of 0.57, the other values are visible in the attached graph.
4 minutes at this dilution is quite surprising to me, and besides this is too short to expect reproducible results. Is HC-110 just not a suitable developer for Fortepan 200? Has anyone else observed this behavior? I will test again with another developer, but I am not sure which, as HC-110 is my standard for other films. Any recommendations?
I determined the gamma values for each development time between 0.17 and 1.37 D according to Ralph Lambrecht (Way Beyond Monochrome).
Surprisingly, even at 4 minutes I had a gamma of 0.57, the other values are visible in the attached graph.
4 minutes at this dilution is quite surprising to me, and besides this is too short to expect reproducible results. Is HC-110 just not a suitable developer for Fortepan 200? Has anyone else observed this behavior? I will test again with another developer, but I am not sure which, as HC-110 is my standard for other films. Any recommendations?
