HP5 in HC110

[Henry Yorke]

Hi all,

I develop all my stuff in HC110 and have had good results with the times on the Massive Development Chart. How would I figure out the development time for HP5 (120) rated at 250 in HC110 though? The chart only shows times of HP5 rated at 400 or higher. Anybody have any experience with this? Thanks.

 

[ann]

yes, we used the standard times posted for 4.

of course the best method would be to test for a specific time for your equipment and environment.

 

[Markok765]

I normally expose hp5 at 200, and develop as normal.

 

[BradS]

HC-110 was my only developer for a long while. I never was able to get it to work well with HP-5+ however. I like fine grain and lots of subtle gradation in the mid tones without blown highlights. I had completely given up on HP-5+ untill I got two rolls free with a packet of Ilford enlarging paper. Well, I processed those in D-23 and never looked back. This combo is so good I went out and bought fifty rolls of HP5+. There is no loss of speed. There is no loss of gradation. I get brilliant whites without blown highlights. Just wonderful (am I gushing?). I have a fresh bottle of HC-110. It only gets used with Tri-X and occasionally some FP4+ but, HP%+ always goes in the home brew D-23.

So, if you want big ugly grain, muddled tonality or blown highlights shoot HP5+ at less than box speed and dev in HC-110 (more dilution gives more grain). If you're looking for subtle, rich gradation and fine grain at full box speed go with D-23 (and don't over agitate).

 

[gainer]

HC110 is a pretty good paper developer. I used to use about 1 oz per quart of water with 1/2 tablespoon of carbonate added.

 

[Henry Yorke]

So, if you want big ugly grain, muddled tonality or blown highlights shoot HP5+ at less than box speed and dev in HC-110 (more dilution gives more grain). If you're looking for subtle, rich gradation and fine grain at full box speed go with D-23 (and don't over agitate).

I've never mixed my own negative developers but it's on the list of things to do. Thanks for the info about D-23 - I'll give that a try first.

 

[Zathras]

HC-110 was my only developer for a long while. I never was able to get it to work well with HP-5+ however. I like fine grain and lots of subtle gradation in the mid tones without blown highlights. I had completely given up on HP-5+ untill I got two rolls free with a packet of Ilford enlarging paper. Well, I processed those in D-23 and never looked back. This combo is so good I went out and bought fifty rolls of HP5+. There is no loss of speed. There is no loss of gradation. I get brilliant whites without blown highlights. Just wonderful (am I gushing?). I have a fresh bottle of HC-110. It only gets used with Tri-X and occasionally some FP4+ but, HP%+ always goes in the home brew D-23.

So, if you want big ugly grain, muddled tonality or blown highlights shoot HP5+ at less than box speed and dev in HC-110 (more dilution gives more grain). If you're looking for subtle, rich gradation and fine grain at full box speed go with D-23 (and don't over agitate).

There are millions of opinions here about what's good and what ain't. I have gotten some pretty good (in my deranged opinion) results with HP5+ and HC-110. I like to increase the dilution of the developers that I use in order to get longer developing times for my film. I also reduce the rate of agitation given in order to help avoid blown highlights. If you have access to a copy of "The Negative" by Ansel Adams, the revised edition that came out in the early 1980's, he details a way of using highly diluted HC-110 with reduced agitation that acts as a semi-compensating developer that retains good highlight detail.

If processed correctly, carefully and consistently, excellent results are possible with the HP5+ and HC-110 combination. It is my belief that reduced agitation also helps keep the grain from getting ugly.

I have used D-23 in the past, I feel that the grain is too mushy looking for my taste when used full strength. Again, this is a highly subjective area and you may not like what I like. I feel that there is too much sodium sulfite in undiluted D-23 to get what I consider acceptable sharpness, and I personally would use it diluted 1+2, testing it first on an unimportant roll or two to find the ideal film speed and developing time for my needs.

Just my 2 cents...

Mike Sullivan

 

[david b]

Anyone using HP5+ at 800 and developing in Ilfotec HC ?

 

[rjas]

HC-110 was my only developer for a long while. I never was able to get it to work well with HP-5+ however. I like fine grain and lots of subtle gradation in the mid tones without blown highlights. I had completely given up on HP-5+ untill I got two rolls free with a packet of Ilford enlarging paper. Well, I processed those in D-23 and never looked back. This combo is so good I went out and bought fifty rolls of HP5+. There is no loss of speed. There is no loss of gradation. I get brilliant whites without blown highlights. Just wonderful (am I gushing?). I have a fresh bottle of HC-110. It only gets used with Tri-X and occasionally some FP4+ but, HP%+ always goes in the home brew D-23.

So, if you want big ugly grain, muddled tonality or blown highlights shoot HP5+ at less than box speed and dev in HC-110 (more dilution gives more grain). If you're looking for subtle, rich gradation and fine grain at full box speed go with D-23 (and don't over agitate).

I've got great results with Hp5+ at about 250 in hc110. i use something like dilution H. I've seen the same film processed in a different dilution of hc110 by someone else and the results have been what you describe, grainy and gross. henry yorke, try about 9 minutes at dilution h at room temperature and go from there.

 

[BradS]

I've got great results with Hp5+ at about 250 in hc110. i use something like dilution H. I've seen the same film processed in a different dilution of hc110 by someone else and the results have been what you describe, grainy and gross. henry yorke, try about 9 minutes at dilution h at room temperature and go from there.

That sounds about right. I found that HP5+ wanted to be rated at about EI-250 when processed in HC-110 dil. D (1+39). Even then, it was no match for Tri-X.