HP5+ sheet film developer recomendation?

I'm not exactly new to sheet film developing, and i *do* know how to use "search" function on apug

However, I'd still like to hear if anyone uses HP5+ sheet film (4x5 or 5x7) in JOBO rotary processors.
I've recently got some HP5+ in 4x5 and 5x7 sizes, and would like to use it in situations when my usual film (Efke PL100) is just too slow - which is to say around EI 400 or higher (EI 800).

Since the film is rather expensive compared to Efke, I'd rather avoid a lot of testing (and discarded/ruined negatives!), so if anyone has any ballpark times, I'd appreciate it.

I have access to Ilford developers only, and was thinking of Ilfotec HC, diluted to 1+31, to be used in Jobo processor. I'll probably cut down the recommended dev. time by 10% (?), due to constant agitation in rotary processor, and as usual, pre-wet the film for 5 minutes prior to pouring the developer in, as recommended by Jobo.

BTW, my usual developer with Efke films is Rodinal - diluted to abut 1+60, it works quite well for me in Jobo processor. I use 5 minutes pre-wash, about 9 minutes of developing with Rodinal 1+60, non-acid stop bath (distilled water), and fixer as usual (4-5 minutes with Fotokemika's rapid FF2 fixer).

However, the general wisdom seems to be that Rodinal is not particularly well suited to HP5+, particularly not for pushing.

Thanks in advance for any pointers...

Denis

Dennis,
I develop HP5+ @400 ISO in ID11 1+1 for about 11:15 min. 20°C.
Also in DDX 1+4 @500 ISO also 11:15 min also by 20°C.
Therefore I use 2 types of reels, depends on how much time I have;
2509N at 70 rpm
3006 at the slowest speed to avoid damaging the motor.

I tried Rodinal in combination with rotary development this was never a succes. Blocked Highlights was the result. But I know from some other people on this forum who use it with succes. So perhaps it's me...

My preferred developer for HP5+ sheets is PMK. It does obtain great detail in the highlights and wonderful tonallity and, on the other side, high sharpness and ultra fine grain.
In your case, if you use a rotary processor, I would reccommend PMK but you can use RolloPyro that allows similar results as PMK

Hello Dennis,

As you are from Croatia you might like to consider Moersch Tanol from Germany. It is a staining developer, catchetol I think, never had a problem with it. Wolfgang Moersch answers email questions promptly if you need further information.

Barry

Thanks for the replies so far...
PepMiro, perhaps I wasn't too clear - I have access only to Ilford chemistry and Rodinal (which apparently isn't well suited).
So, I'm looking for recommendations on Ilford developers in this combo (HP5+ sheet film in Jobo rotary processor).
Price-wise, I'm inclined to try out Ilfotec HC (being a cheap b**tard)
Another frequent recommendation (particularly for pushing) is DD-X - however, I'm not sure how it would behave in rotary processing (besides, it's a lot more expensive, considering it's being diluted 1+4, compared to 1+31 for Ilfotec HC )

As for other developers, I'm afraid I'm limited to what I can obtain locally (i.e. only Ilford chems, plus my stash of Rodinal). Shipping from abroad tends to be expensive and complicated (shipping agents, customs dues, lots of paperwork....).

Denis

Denis P. said:

I'm looking for recommendations on Ilford developers in this combo (HP5+ sheet film in Jobo rotary processor).
Another frequent recommendation is DD-X - however, I'm not sure how it would behave in rotary processing.

Denis

Click to expand...

I beleive that Roger Hicks uses DD-X a lot and he often uses HP5 Plus, you could try sending him a PM to find what he suggest as a guide to get started.

Denis P. said:

However, I'd still like to hear if anyone uses HP5+ sheet film (4x5 or 5x7) in JOBO rotary processors.
Denis

Click to expand...

I use 4x5 HP5 on Jobo 2509 reels in a CPP processor.

My developer of choice is HC-110, which I use at a dilution of 1:63 from the US concentrate (1/2 the concentration of 'B'). I develop at 20C for 10 mins, at agitation speed 'P'

I think that Ilfotec HC is similar to HC110, but do not have personal experience with it.

I do a 5 min presoak in water.

Hello Denis,

for HP5 sheet film, I use ID11 diluted at 1:1. At 20°C and a rotation speed of approx. 50 rounds per minute (Jobo Expert Drum). With 10 minutes I get N development (gamma ~0,62), 8:30 minutes result in N-1 ((gamma 0,55). No pre wash. With a ASA setting of 250, Zone I is about 0,12-0,14 above base fog.

Regards
Heinrich

For HP5 Plus sheet film in Jobo Expert drums I use D-76, typically 1+1 for 4x5 or 5x7 in a 3006, or straight for larger sizes in a 3004 or 3005. For negatives intended for contact printing or (in the case of 4x5) enlarging with a dichroic diffusion head, the time/temp combinations right out of the Ilford data sheet usually work well for me; no pre-wash, rotation speed "4". I'd substitute ID-11 without hesitation if only Ilford developers were available.

Thanks for the replies, everyone.
I think now I have something to begin with...

Regards,

Denis