I've been trying to use 777 recently, and I think that I'm having a problem with it. It seems like, even when I increase recommended times, everything is underdeveloped.
I shot a test roll of HP5+ starting at ASA 320 (incident metered), overexposed +4,+3,+2,+1 and then underexposed -4,-3,-2,-1. I developed for 11 minutes at 73 degrees (the package recommends 11 min at 72-74, but from searching on the internet, i was finding times ranging from 9-15 minutes). I then made prints from the -1, 0, and +1.
All three, with my enlarger lens set at f11, needed heavy contrast filter use to get a useable print.
I am presoaking for 1 minute, so i'm not sure if that is affecting the developer (it never seems to do have a time extending effect when i use other developers).
This seems to be a problem that i have encountered regularly with 777.
I really like the tonality and what it does to the grain structure of the films that I'm using, I just feel that I'm having to use much longer than recommended times for any film that I'm developing.
Any hints/suggestions from frequent 777 users?