Ilford FP4+ Developer Inquiry

Luckless

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Feb 9, 2016
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A point that might make people's replies a bit more useful to others looking around and trying to decide which development option to go with:

Why you choose the developer you're working with. What it does for you that is different from others you tried, what didn't you like about the effects of other options you tried, etc.

I use ID-11...
Because it was cheap when I started a few years back, and I haven't found a reason to switch yet...

[I never said my suggestion to expand on answers would make MY replies actually all that useful, but still.]


At some point I'll try others to see if I like the end results more.
 

JPD

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I have bought a box of Fp4+ in 9x12 sheets that I plan to use this summer. Instead of experimenting with developers I think I'll go with Perceptol, either 1+1 or 1+3, since I've read that it's a compensating Metol only developer that should work well for film shot on high contrast sunny days.
 

Thomas71

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Oct 8, 2016
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Fp4 is my favourit film in medium format. I use it in the following developers:
Rodinal 1+50: a great classic; for my eyes the low tones are darker than what they are in XTOL
XTOL 1+1: very clean and sharp
HC110 dil B 6 min (much shorter than the 9 min of Ilford datasheet): nothing special, but HC110 is always available in my darkroom thanks to its long shelf life
Thomas
 

John51

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May 18, 2014
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I don't shoot enough film for the likes to Xtol or D76 to get used up before going off. I bought developers that keep well and were different enough to cover most lighting situations.

Rodinal, HC-110 and the powders to make D23. With the idea that they should do me for some years.
 

DREW WILEY

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Jul 14, 2011
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Almost any common developer works well with FP4. My favorite is PMK pyro, but I have used other developers in the past.
 

John Wiegerink

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I really like FP4+ 120 developed in Pyrocat-HDC. My next best is Xtol-R. If you don't develop much then Rodinal is perfect since it can be on your shelf for years and still work. HC-110 will also for that matter, but I like Rodinal for versatility. Of course you could mix your own Pyrocat-HD, HDC, P or M with glycol and it will last almost until the dinosaurs come back. Still, I think Rodinal, at a slightly higher dilution, would be the way for you to go. Just my opinion of course. JohnW
 
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