HP4 4x5 Sheet film Developing

[Johnkpap]

I was given a un-opened box of 100 4x5 sheets of HP4, from 1975 !!! I have done a test at 400ASA (box speed) and developed it at 14 mins in Rodinal 50+1

the inital test shows some promise, there is a little bit of background fog(not too bad) and faint image....

As I have 98 sheets of the stuff, it is worth playing around with.....


Would I get a better result with a more aggressive developer like DK50 ?

I have the following available to mix up:-

D76

Microdol X

Microphin

Dk50

I just don't want to mix up 1 gallon of every developer!!!, what would be the next one to try? Or should i just try Rodinal at 25-1 on my next test.

Johnkpap

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Why not nail the time for Rodinal first, then try other developers?

 

[eddie]

Before I changed developers, I'd shoot it 50 and 100.

 

[Johnkpap]

Thanks for the input

I have just loaded another 4 sheets in two holders, I am going to expose at 50 100 200 and 400 ASA and develop them in rodinaL AT 25+1
and see what I get. Hopefully that will give me a starting point.

It will be a day or so before I get some more free time to go in the darkroom.

I will post some results soon

Johnkpap

 

[Johnkpap]

I have made more progress with the HP4

I developed all 4 sheets in Rodinal at 25+1 for 15 mins at 20 Deg and the best results are at 200 ASA and 400 ASA, I put the 400 ASA in my Durst l1200 and it looks to be printable the background fog is acceptable.

Some times you do get someting for nothing !!!

I may do a further test with some DK50 this may increase the contrast and reduce the development time

Johnkpap

 

[John Wiegerink]

I have made more progress with the HP4

I developed all 4 sheets in Rodinal at 25+1 for 15 mins at 20 Deg and the best results are at 200 ASA and 400 ASA, I put the 400 ASA in my Durst l1200 and it looks to be printable the background fog is acceptable.

Some times you do get someting for nothing !!!

I may do a further test with some DK50 this may increase the contrast and reduce the development time

Johnkpap

I find DK-50 a great developer. I haven't used it on sheet film yet, as it was intended for, but diluted it works very well on 120 film.

 

[trendland]

I have made more progress with the HP4

I developed all 4 sheets in Rodinal at 25+1 for 15 mins at 20 Deg and the best results are at 200 ASA and 400 ASA, I put the 400 ASA in my Durst l1200 and it looks to be printable the background fog is acceptable.

Some times you do get someting for nothing !!!

I may do a further test with some DK50 this may increase the contrast and reduce the development time

Johnkpap

Hey Johnkpap is your avatar a F-84 ?
(hart to identify...)

with greetings

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Stick with the Rodinol. I'm developing kodak infrared 4x5 film expired in '67 and getting very nice results.
Go out and take some photos now!