From Kodak to Ilford

Doc W · Jul 22, 2023

For a couple of reasons, I am shying away from Kodak these days. My normal developer is HC-110 but I want to try an Ilford developer. It looks like Ilfotec HC is the Ilford equivalent of HC-110. Is this the case? Can it be mixed from the syrup thereby eliminating the need for a stock solution? Does it have the same semi-compensating qualities as HC-110?

I will be using it with FP4 in a Paterson tank for now but I will also want to use it in a Jobo with sheet film.

Thomas71 · Jul 22, 2023

Stay in Kodak with XTOL.... perfect match with FP4, HP5 and Delta

ntenny · Jul 22, 2023

Thomas71 said:
Stay in Kodak with XTOL.... perfect match with FP4, HP5 and Delta

Can’t argue with the results of Xtol, but I infer that maybe the OP wants something that’s easy to mix one-shot from concentrate.

I’m in the same boat, and I settled on PC-TEA, which is an easy mix-your-own with results generally felt to be somewhat like Xtol and keeping properties like HC-110. I think it’s a great solution if you don’t mind mixing a few chemicals occasionally.

I don’t know of too many other long-lasting from-concentrate commercial developers. Rodinal, but it seems like a pretty different beast, though the people who love it really love it. What else?

[Edit: Sorry, I missed the preference for an Ilford developer.]

-NT

miha · Jul 22, 2023

retina_restoration said:
Ilfotec HC is Ilford's "equivalent" to HC-110, but its not as concentrated, so that 500ml bottle doesn't go nearly as far as the same volume of HC-110 does. I tried it once, and the issue I had with it was that after opening the bottle, it expired in under 3 months. Given how expensive it was, I chose not to use it again. I use PMK almost exclusively now, and it lasts for at least 2 years even after opening. (three years if you store it out of bright light)

Ilfotec HC was never availabe in 500 ml bottles ... Ilfotec HC is as concentrated as Kodak HC-110, lasts for years, too.

madNbad · Jul 22, 2023

I tried it and found it to be just like using HC-110. It works well with a variety of films and very well with t-grain film like Delta. It’s available in 1 liter bottles that will last for years. It is on the spendy side but worth it if you make the switch. I found decanting it into four 250 brown glass bottles then getting a bottle syringe from the local pharmacy makes it easier to draw out the amount you need. I would have stayed with it except for my desire to pursue the combination of Tri-X and Rodinal.

Alex Benjamin · Jul 22, 2023

I've switched from HC-110 to Ilfotec HC a while ago. You use it exactly as HC-110, i.e., either from concentrate, or you make stock solution. The idea of making the stock solution, as stated by Ilford in its data sheet, is to avoid having to measure accurately very small amounts (especially with the high dilutions). Since I usually stick with the 1:31 dilution, I always go with the concentrate.

Like the original HC-110, it lasts a very long time.

On the 2019 reformulation, worth quoting The Film Developing Cookbook: "HC-110 was reformulated in mid-2019. The hallmark DEA-sulfur addition complex, which conferred its great stability, has gone; it is now a conventional developer."

TFDC says little about Ilfotec HC, other than confirming it is based on HC-110 (pre-reformulation).

Sirius Glass · Jul 22, 2023

Thomas71 said:
Stay in Kodak with XTOL.... perfect match with FP4, HP5 and Delta

ntenny said:
Can’t argue with the results of Xtol, but I infer that maybe the OP wants something that’s easy to mix one-shot from concentrate.

I’m in the same boat, and I settled on PC-TEA, which is an easy mix-your-own with results generally felt to be somewhat like Xtol and keeping properties like HC-110. I think it’s a great solution if you don’t mind mixing a few chemicals occasionally.

I don’t know of too many other long-lasting from-concentrate commercial developers. Rodinal, but it seems like a pretty different beast, though the people who love it really love it. What else?

[Edit: Sorry, I missed the preference for an Ilford developer.]

-NT

Two besides me who understand what a great and forgiving developer XTOL is.

Helge · Jul 22, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
Two besides me who understand what a great and forgiving developer XTOL is.

XTOL is frankly the only developer I use now, outside a little Rodinal and Adox HR-DEV.
It’s just versatile, keeps well, is easy to use and gets the best out of most film.

madNbad · Jul 22, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
Two besides me who understand what a great and forgiving developer XTOL is.

At least one. Don't have a full darkroom or a place to store five liters of developer.

Helge · Jul 22, 2023

madNbad said:
At least one. Don't have a full darkroom or a place to store five liters of developer.

It’s not that bad.
Either use two large 2.5 liter lab bottles, with butane on top every time you pour.
They are large enough to minimize the contact layer most of the time. But small enough to handle.
That means one is the use bottle and the other is completely sealed and will potentially last years.

Or use several small bottles meant for home brew beer, with a build In flip-top.

Make sure to top the storage bottles up as much as possible.

madNbad · Jul 22, 2023

Helge said:
It’s not that bad.
Either use two large 2.5 liter lab bottles, with butane on top every time you pour.
They are large enough to minimize the contact layer most of the time. But small enough to handle.
That means one is the use bottle and the other is completely sealed and will potentially last years.

Or use several small bottles meant for home brew beer, with a build In flip-top.

Make sure to top the storage bottles up as much as possible.

Wine bags are another option. Like any other powder developer, it's way more than I need plus I'm having fun with the Rodinal.

Sirius Glass · Jul 22, 2023

madNbad said:
At least one. Don't have a full darkroom or a place to store five liters of developer.

I store it in five 1 liter StopLossBagsTM. StopLossBags.com

blee1996 · Jul 22, 2023

Ilfotech DD-X is good and easy to mix, can last about 6 month without special container. Works well with both traditional and modern T-grain films. The only downside is that it is a bit pricey.

Helge · Jul 22, 2023

madNbad said:
Wine bags are another option. Like any other powder developer, it's way more than I need plus I'm having fun with the Rodinal.

Used 1:1, 5 liters is about 20 rolls of 120 with no waste. I like to not worry about liquid level and spillage. So 17 probably.

madNbad · Jul 22, 2023

Helge said:
Used 1:1, 5 liters is about 20 rolls of 120 with no waste. I like to not worry about liquid level and spillage. So 17 probably.

That’s a lot different than 10ml of Rodinal in a 500 ml tank for two rolls of 135 Tri-X.

abruzzi · Jul 22, 2023

madNbad said:
That’s a lot different than 10ml of Rodinal in a 500 ml tank for two rolls of 135 Tri-X.

yeah, rodinal is the long distance king of cheap developer, xtol 1:1 is reletively inexpensive one shot, but if you do replenished it gets really cheap. Start with 5 liters, put one aside to start with then replenish about 70ml from the other 4 liters. That gets you about 55tanks. In the same ballpark as 500ml of rodinal, but it does require a little more planning and care (I've never done replenished, so I'm only speaking hypothetically from what I've read.

retina_restoration · Jul 22, 2023

miha said:
Ilfotec HC was never availabe in 500 ml bottles ... Ilfotec HC is as concentrated as Kodak HC-110, lasts for years, too.

You're right! I beg your pardon - I was thinking of DDX, not Ilfotec. My apologies.

madNbad · Jul 22, 2023

Just as a guess, if the OP is asking about switching from HC-110 to Ilfotec HC, they’re probably not interested in having a gallon of developer sitting around.

Helge · Jul 22, 2023

madNbad said:
That’s a lot different than 10ml of Rodinal in a 500 ml tank for two rolls of 135 Tri-X.

The results are a lot different too.

miha · Jul 23, 2023

retina_restoration said:
You're right! I beg your pardon - I was thinking of DDX, not Ilfotec. My apologies.

No apology necessary. I won't admit how often my mind plays tricks on me ...

pentaxuser · Jul 23, 2023

retina_restoration said:
You're right! I beg your pardon - I was thinking of DDX, not Ilfotec. My apologies.

I can't find any DDX in 500ml bottles on the Ilford site. It's 1 litre bottles only. In fact I can't think of any 500ml bottles for Ilford developers

pentaxuser

Thomas71 · Jul 23, 2023

pentaxuser said:
I can't find any DDX in 500ml bottles on the Ilford site. It's 1 litre bottles only. In fact I can't think of any 500ml bottles for Ilford developers

pentaxuser

Ilford Ilfosol 3 is availabe in 500ml bottle, but I can't say anything about this developer. The previous version suffered from short life and it was never a successful product

cliveh · Jul 23, 2023

Sliced bread, the best thing since D76. Develop 1:1

Flighter · Jul 23, 2023

Thomas71 said:
Ilford Ilfosol 3 is availabe in 500ml bottle, but I can't say anything about this developer. The previous version suffered from short life and it was never a successful product

Ilfotec LC29 is also available in 500ml bottles

Sirius Glass · Jul 23, 2023

cliveh said:
Sliced bread, the best thing since D76. Develop 1:1

No replenished XTOL is the best thing since sliced bread.

From Kodak to Ilford

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