HP5+ and Rodinal

antielectrons · Mar 12, 2006

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has any experience/feedback to provide about the above combo. I normally develop HP5+ in D76 1+1 or 1+3 but have run out of D76 and was thinking of using some of the Rodinal I still have left at 1+50. Would the results be similar to what people are getting with Tri-x and Rodinal or is grain going to be a real deal braker. I use 120 film.

Stephanie Brim · Mar 12, 2006

Nope, but there's a good chance that some may make it into one of my cams that I'm taking with me shopping tomorrow. I'll let you know when I develop it. I've seen some scans of HP5 in Rodinal and it seems to be a very nice combo.

Dave Miller · Mar 12, 2006

An oft discussed subject; well worth doing a search for previous discussions on this subject.

Andy K · Mar 12, 2006

There is a photo of my cat in my gallery which was made from HP5+ shot at ISO3200 and developed in Rodinal 1+25. There may be other photographs too, but I don't remember.

Ps. As Dave said, much discussed, if you do a site search you should find several threads on this subject.

antielectrons · Mar 12, 2006

Hi, thanks. I searched the archives before posting but didnt find that much specifically about HP5+ with Rodinal. Lots of threads with both words in but not a lot specifically about the two... which was why I posted a new question.

honerich · Mar 12, 2006

HP5 and Rodinal are a fine combo, not as grainy as you might expect. You will have real ISO-400 with nice tonality and shadow details. My data are:
Rod. 1+50, 20 degC, 18:00 Min., inversions every minute, G=0.62

gainer · Mar 12, 2006

And by my experiments, you won't get any more than G=0.62 from that combo, which is good for most of us, but is the reason AGFA did not recommend it. They don't like any thing below 0.65. I like HP5+ in every developer I have tried, including Rodinal at 1+50.

MMfoto · Mar 12, 2006

Yeah, This combo has a bad reputation that is really undeserved. I've never used it though a friend of mine uses HP5/Rodinal 1:50 exclusively and his work has been a benchmark for me. Very nice combo.

honerich · Mar 13, 2006

gainer said:
And by my experiments, you won't get any more than G=0.62 from that combo ...

You are right, Rodinal 1+50 is pretty dead after 18-20 minutes.

Sportera · Mar 13, 2006

Published times and those on digital truth lead to thin negs in my experience. 18 min sounds about right, but Ive done no formal testing. I like rodinal with all formats from 35mm to 4x5. I especially like it for the grit it produces in 35mm.

gnashings · Mar 13, 2006

Although I am not very fond of HP5+ (just personal preference - no technical reasons), I have shot it at 400, souped in Rodinal 1:50 and especially in 120, the results were very pleasant. I don't think you will find the grain objectionable. I have pushed this combo one stop as well, and again, it responds fine as well. And I can tell you that the photo of Andy's cat at 3200 looks great - so its obviously a flexible combo.
I have shot APX400 and TriX in that speed mostly, but with the demise of APX, and my personal preference for spending my money on Ilfrod products, I think I may be using HP5+ more myself - perhaps I just never gave it the time to get what I wanted out of it since the other films were available and I liked them. I guess you could say it was more a matter of liking other films and not taking the time to really get to know HP5+ rather than any real objection to any of its qulaities... Hmmm.
I have rambled again - best of luck,

Peter.

HP5+ and Rodinal

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