HP5 Tray work

I have switched from Kodak to Ilford brands in my 8 x 10 work and was wondering if ayone has formulas they use and love for tray work ie. chemicals that work best, working solutions, diluted facts, development times etc.


thank you
J

I have a fair amount of experience with 8x10/4x5 HP5, as well as a little experience with HP5 in 12x20 and 7x17.
My experience was developing it in trays in stacks of 6-8 sheets at a time. Emulsion side up, constant bottom to top agitation, in Pyrocat HD 1:1:100, developing times of approximately 7mins+/- (I dev by inspection so sometimes a little longer or shorter) at around 65-70degrees (straight from tap), exposing it at approx an ISO of 200. I could easily manage to build up enough contrast for semi-decent looking pt/pd printing, but given the cost of the film I much prefer working with the Efke/Adox I currently use as I dont have a house to take out a second mortgage on to buy 12x20 HP5

hope that helps.

Good advice from scootermm IMHO.

I also develop 8x10 sheet film in trays, by inspection, in Pyrocat HD 1:1:100 or in Pyrocat MC 1:1:100.

I also develop single sheets of 8x10 sheet film in BTZS type tubes in Pyrocat HD 1:1:100 or in Pyrocat MC 1:1:100.

Pyrocat MC 1:1:100 in trays, but longer development for HP 5 (iso 250) at warmer temps. I'm at 10 + minutes normal at 75 degrees, up to 30 minutes with very low sbr's...with 4-6 sheets or more of 7x17, but I like em dense for azo contact printing.. My efke 100 are around 9-12 minutes plus too at 1:1:100 at 75 degrees. I really like both films...the efke is certainly less expensive and I dont' have issues with scratches using trays. It's a little bit harder for me to work with the efke in low sbr ranges fwiw. But overall I think there is better low sbr film....