I am reminded why I love HC110

BradS · Mar 19, 2019

I finally got around to developing a roll of FP4+ that's been in camera and in the queue to be processed for so long that I forgot what I had photographed and where...

So I got out all the chems and glassware and such...the D-23 that I mixed up in April 2018 (!!!!) came out of the bottle all yellow.

but....that yellow color reminded me of my old friend, HC-110....the date on the bottle was Jun 2007.

mixed up my usual dilution, 10ml syrup + 390ml water...the negs are drying but they look great!

Carter john · Mar 19, 2019

That is one of many reasons I like HC-110 too.

BradS · Mar 19, 2019

Nice, crisp, clean, sharp and contrasty negatives...makes me want to setup the dark room and print 'em right now!
but that will have to wait for another day.

CMoore · Mar 19, 2019

Generally speaking, especially for a beginner like myself, is Ilfotec HC pretty similar to Kodak HC-110.?
I pretty much only deal with FP4 and HP5.
I liked the results from using ID-11, but the convenience of the Ilfotec made me switch.
Thank You

David Lyga · Mar 21, 2019

HC-110 is one of the most reliable developers I have ever used. Despite some differences, it is as robust as Rodinal.

Your D-23 should NOT have been 'yellow' and its 'badness' probably was due to your storing it in a bottle that either could 'breathe' or was not full. I say this because D-23 has a lot of sodium sulfite helping greatly to mitigate oxidation. - David Lyga

Mainecoonmaniac · Mar 21, 2019

HC-110 concentrate is versatile and bulletproof. I've been using it for over 30 years and I was lucky enough to find 6 bottles of replenisher a few years back on eBay and use it replenished. I also use it 1:100 for stand development.

ant! · Mar 21, 2019

Quick question since I look for a developer with long shelf-life. I use Rodinal with the Afga APX100 I still have frozen (the original one, not the different one now sold under that name). I look for something similar which I could use for Tri-X and other higher speed 35mm films, with a bit less grain then Rodinal. I do not need nor want totally grainless. How would HC-110 fit for this purpose, or is the advantage over Rodinal not large enough?
I just don't develop enough film to go in time trough a pack of D76 and similar...

Mainecoonmaniac · Mar 21, 2019

ant! said:
Quick question since I look for a developer with long shelf-life. I use Rodinal with the Afga APX100 I still have frozen (the original one, not the different one now sold under that name). I look for something similar which I could use for Tri-X and other higher speed 35mm films, with a bit less grain then Rodinal. I do not need nor want totally grainless. How would HC-110 fit for this purpose, or is the advantage over Rodinal not large enough?
I just don't develop enough film to go in time trough a pack of D76 and similar...

Rodinal has a long shelf life too. BTW, HC-110 doesn't allow you to shoot box speeds. You'll have to slightly increase your exposure. So I'd just stick with Rodinal.

BradS · Mar 21, 2019

ant! said:
Quick question since I look for a developer with long shelf-life. I use Rodinal with the Afga APX100 I still have frozen (the original one, not the different one now sold under that name). I look for something similar which I could use for Tri-X and other higher speed 35mm films, with a bit less grain then Rodinal. I do not need nor want totally grainless. How would HC-110 fit for this purpose, or is the advantage over Rodinal not large enough?
I just don't develop enough film to go in time trough a pack of D76 and similar...

Tri-X (400TX) and HC-110 are a match made in heaven just like APX-100 and Rodinal.

BradS · Mar 21, 2019

Mainecoonmaniac said:
..... HC-110 doesn't allow you to shoot box speeds. You'll have to slightly increase your exposure.

This is very much contrary to my experience. If anything, I find that HC-110 allows a little extra speed. I guess it depends upon what the individual user is after however. HC-110 is very versatile. I think HC-110 is about as good as it gets with Tri-X (but I've never tried Xtol which is likely, better).

M Carter · Mar 21, 2019

BradS said:
This is very much contrary to my experience. If anything, I find that HC-110 allows a little extra speed. I guess it depends upon what the individual user is after however. HC-110 is very versatile. I think HC-110 is about as good as it gets with Tri-X

I find Rodinal needs more exposure as well - I usually give an extra stop.

After years of Rodinal, I tried HC-110 - prints just seemed kind of "ho-hum" to me, Rodinal really has it's thing going on. What little testing I've done with DD-X has really surprised me though, it's a great match for Ilford films. Amazing shadow detail, pushes really well, and a really nice sense of sharpness. Really considering doing some extensive tests with the stuff.

BradS · Mar 21, 2019

Yeah, DD-X is fantastic...but too expensive for my sensibilities (yeah, I know this is ridiculous but still, the cost prevents me form using it).

MattKing · Mar 21, 2019

HC-110 and Rodinal tend to give really different results - the characteristic curve thing.
You folks in the US are spoiled. You can get 5 litres of stock X-Tol for $10.00. If you don't use it all up in six months, it isn't a tragedy to discard what's left.
And if you use it in a replenishment regime, it is even cheaper.

jim appleyard · Mar 21, 2019

ant! said:
Quick question since I look for a developer with long shelf-life. I use Rodinal with the Afga APX100 I still have frozen (the original one, not the different one now sold under that name). I look for something similar which I could use for Tri-X and other higher speed 35mm films, with a bit less grain then Rodinal. I do not need nor want totally grainless. How would HC-110 fit for this purpose, or is the advantage over Rodinal not large enough?
I just don't develop enough film to go in time trough a pack of D76 and similar...

Yes, HC-110 will give you less grain than Rodinal and it will last as long in storage, perfect for people who shoot small amounts of b/w.

mshchem · Mar 21, 2019

Labs must have been jumping with joy when Kodak introduced HC-110. So easy to use, replenish etc. I'm a XTOL lover, but before XTOL it was a brown 1 gallon bottle of HC-110 dilution B. Replenished I think I averaged 2 to 3 years between making up fresh, mostly because I'm a little obsessive. I developed Ektapan, Plus-X ,Tri-X. I have a 30 year old square bottle of HC-110 replenisher, it's probably still good. I figure I will just keep for the good memories

Ko.Fe. · Mar 21, 2019

I asked one of the Burlington Camera managers, whose who used to develop and print for customers. In the darkroom.
We are both using HC-110.

Well, I like to use Rodinal as well, sometimes. Both are liquid, concentrated, takes very little space and lasts long.

ant! · Mar 21, 2019

Thanks everyone, sounds good! So I guess I'll try this out for TRI-X!

baachitraka · Mar 22, 2019

Rodinal for everything but I need to look one developer for HP5+, that have very good shelf life.

John51 · Mar 22, 2019

Copied from this site some time ago. I forgot to include the authors name.

About 1 oz HC110 syrup per quart + 1 tbs washing soda and you'll think
you have Dektol.

Haven't tried it yet but here's hoping. Having a print developer with the shelf life of HC110 would be great for sporadic darkroom sessions.

I am reminded why I love HC110

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