HC 110 as a print developer ?

[Neil Grant]

I've got an unopened bottle of this stuff, but I never use it for films. Has anyone tried it as a print dev ? If so, what dilution. Thanks.

 

[David Lyga]

Too few people realize that there is but small difference between print developers and film developers: usually primarily with the pH. For example, if you added a few grams of sodium carbonate to D-76, you would have a print developer. (Yes, there is sufficient hydroquinone to do justice to the blacks.) Maybe you would also opt to add a little potassium bromide to keep the fog level under control, but, essentially, that carbonate would do the trick.

And, powerful as it is, HC-110 could do this as well. Instead of making it strong enough by adding so much more concentrate, try the carbonate instead. I would predict that a 1 + 49 plus carbonate would satisfy even the most discerning. - David Lyga

 

[bvy]

To adapt general purpose film developers to prints, one would typically dilute them more, increase pH and buffering, and add additional restrainer. Generalizations are problematic, however.

I think a high dilution is recommended for HC-110 as print developer. From the Covington page:
You can develop photographic paper in HC-110 (A). Action is slightly slower than other print developers, and the capacity is less (about 10 or 15 8x10 sheets per 600 mL).

At dilution A, that's 40ml of syrup to make 600ml of working solution -- longer development times and less capacity. I decided it wasn't economical.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

Pass the HC-110 on to someone who can make use of it as a film developer and buy yourself some dedicated print developer. Even if you give the HC-110 away, you'll save money not wasting paper, chemicals and time to figure out how to use it as a print developer. Yes, it is possible, but it's really not economically feasible.

Doremus