Ilford Delta 400 & Neopan 400 + Pyrocat-HD

[Andrey.Gorshkov]

please give me advice how to correctly develop the Ilford Delta 400 (120) and Neopan 400 (135) in Pyrocat-HD?
On Devchart (Ilford Delta 400) I've found information only for Jobo rotary tube processor. And about Neopan 400 - only for 120 type.

 

[john_s]

I use Pyrocat_HD for Neopan 400 in 120 size, and I have done a couple of 35mm at the same development time, in an inversion tank. I give 2min inversion agitation to start, then a couple of inversions at 3 min intervals. Total time 13min at 20degC. I prefer contrast to be not very high because my VC enlarger light system seems to give highish contrast. You might prefer a bit more contrast.

 

[john_s]

I should add that I use 200 as meter speed.

 

[George Collier]

John -
What dilution on the Pyrocat_HD?
What kind of VC head?

 

[john_s]

John -
What dilution on the Pyrocat_HD?
What kind of VC head?

Standard dilution 1+1+100

Aristo VCL4500. I think the blue fluorescent tube puts out a lot of near UV which seems to give quite good contrast with VC paper. (This is just a guess.) I haven't used filters or a colour head, so I can't really make a comparison.

Stained negatives* are reputed to give weak contrast of highlights on VC paper, but since my negative development is not to a high contrast it means, I suppose, that my stain is not extreme either.

* PMK stain is reputed to show this effect more strongly than catechol stain which is brown rather than a bit greener/olive.

 

[Andrey.Gorshkov]

I should add that I use 200 as meter speed.

so, if I want to get 400 I should add 2 minutes for developing
and should I presoak the film before?

 

[john_s]

so, if I want to get 400 I should add 2 minutes for developing
and should I presoak the film before?

Well, as far as film speed is concerned, and according to the sort of shadow detail that I like, I would consider 400 as a push that would result in inadequate shadow detail. I don't think catechol and pyro developers are very good for pushing. In fact, I think they need generous exposure. But give it a try.

I always presoak 120 film but not 35mm. Only because I got some little disks of underdevelopment with 120 for reasons that totally elude me.

 

[Andrey.Gorshkov]

tomorrow I had develop the neopan 400 35mm as 400iso: presoak 3min, 1min agitation and than agitation every 3 min., total time of developing - 15min.
I didn't print yet but film looks good.
John, thank you for help!