HP5+HC110: Dilution, Time & Temp?

[zalano1]

Hi All,
I've just developed B/W at home... first time in 12 years!
What is best for contrast and good grain
with HP5+ and HC110?

- Dilution B, 1+9
OR...
- Higher Dilutions... Discard developer after one use.

My HP5+ test roll was well exposed at 400,
and bracketed at one stop over and under.

Dilution was 1+24 at 69f for 12 minutes.
Results are satisfactory; negs lack 'snap'...
they look a bit underdeveloped.

See sample photo below.
Glad to be aboard... Thanks!
zalano1 :confused:

 

[John Bragg]

Hi Zalano, and welcome. I use HC-110 at dilution H (1:63 or half the strength of B) as it gives more control over contrast and combined with reduced agitation, better retention of highlight information on the negative. Your atttached thumbnail looks under exposed, rather than under developed. The old adage, "Expose for the shadows, and develop for the highlights", is worth remembering.
The reccomended time for dilution B is 5 mins at 20c, so double this as a starting point for dilution H. Also try a test subject more evenly illuminated than your example. Backlighting needs careful metering to avoid under exposure.....

Useful link on HC-110 below.

Regards, John.

http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/hc110/

 

[Scott Peters]

It appears underexposed as shadows are blocked. Contrast is acutally ok. Drop film speed or adjust exposure would be my recommendation.

 

[Jordan]

Note that there are different "versions" of the HC-110 concentrate that make talking about specific dilution ratios difficult. Anyway, I second the recommendation for Dilution H (one-half the strength of dilution B). Always use HC-110 working solutions once, then discard.