hp5 pyrocat thin edges

[joefreeman]

Hi all,
I've been searching for a good two days now on multiple forums but can't seem to find any postings on this issue.
So, here's the problem:

My hp5 looks as though I was using a lens that didn't cover my format (5x7) and as though I under exposed around two stops.
My setup was:
-hp5 rated at 100
-pryocat hd - 20-4.5-2000; 22 degrees celcious; 15 min agitation; 12 sheets shuffled in a tray
-presoaked for two minutes

We could say the film was developed unevenly, because of the thin edges, but the photograph had water and sky in it, and in the middle of the film (middle being about 4x5 inches) the water and sky are completely smooth.

I know the lens has ample coverage (a nikkor 450m)

But, here's the kicker: after I had this same issue happen when diluted 20-3-2000 with 10 sheets, I developed 3 sheets at 20-5-2000 (just to see if the 'b' dilution was my issue)... absolutely perfect negatives that printed fine on ilford multigrade warmtone with a #2 1/2 or 3 filter. So, wanting to print on the higher grade filters, I diluted the 'b' solution from 5 to 4.5. Could half a milliliter have made such a difference? (I'm using very accurate pipettes)

I'm further confused because the negs that look vignetted and weak in the shadows actually need to be printed on grade 2 1/2 in order to get detail in the highlights and what little detail is in the shadows.

What I'm after is a thinner but full negative made on a normal sunny day that prints on grade 3 1/2 or 4.

Do I need to lower my 'a' percentage and up my 'b' percentage to get flatter negs? Is the 'b' getting exhausted b/c there's so little of it?

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[joefreeman]

oh, and as a side note:
I developed efke 25, 5x7, 10 sheets, tray shuffled in pyrocat 20-2.5-2000 22 c, and got negs that were perfectly even and printed beautifully at grade 3 1/2 to 5 (depending on the contrast of the scene) with none of the ailments that the hp5 suffered from.

 

[Rick A]

I'm not familiar with that dilution, I use it at 1+1+100 dilution @20c for everything, quantity is dependent on needs(35mm, 120, 4x5)and always get consistant negatives.

 

[mwdake]

It looks like your amount of solution B is awfully low but I'm not sure if that would cause your issues.
Like Rick A I use 1 + 1 + 100, except for Efke then I use 2 + 2 + 100

 

[joefreeman]

that would be my thought too if it weren't for the results with the efke. other ideas? is efke special in any sort of way?

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

Maybe its your presoak in combination with the high dilution? I dont even presoak anymore and I get good results across the board with even expired films.

 

[joefreeman]

that crossed my mind too since ilford recommends against it, but with tray development the edges usually wind up with more density... does the wetting agent in the film accelerate development, and could i be washing it off the edges in the presoak?