Ilford FP4+ Developer Inquiry

[JDW22]

I'm returning to LF after a hiatus of many years. Previously, I shot Fuji Velvia 50 exclusively and had the sheets developed at the lab. Now I intend to shoot PF4+ and develop myself at home. I'm tempted to use Ilford's DDX, but wanted to get some input before buying my chemicals.

Accordingly, what is your favorite developer for FP4+?

Thanks in advance.

 

[mpirie]

HC110 (Dil H) or Pyro-HD

Mike

 

[MattKing]

I am an enthusiastic fan of using developer in a replenishment regime. It provides a lot of benefits - low cost, little to no waste of unused developer, enhanced tonality and ambient temperature flexibility. I shoot roll film, but if you are shooting sheet film, the benefits with respect to cost and minimization of waste are even more pronounced.

I am a fan of X-Tol or Kodak T-Max RS due to the simplicity and economy of replenishing - they both serve as their own replenisher.

Ilford's ID-11 is suitable for replenishment and the instructions for making up the replenisher solution are on the Ilford website: https://www.ilfordphoto.com/amfile/file/download/file/1830/product/708/

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Pyrocat-HD. Xtol 1+1.

 

[jim appleyard]

Rodinal 1+100.

 

[destroya]

Pyro-M

 

[NB23]

Ilfosol-3. A Championistic combination.

 

[Mick Fagan]

D76 1:1

The tonal range possible is really good once you know where you are at.

When the wind is blowing with you, this is what that combination of film and developer is able to do.

Click on the picture and select view, or whatever your software asks so you can view it at scanned size. This is a very reduced image and a jpeg to boot; the original is something else.

https://www.photrio.com/forum/media/creswick-uniting-church.58326/

Mick.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I'm returning to LF after a hiatus of many years. Previously, I shot Fuji Velvia 50 exclusively and had the sheets developed at the lab. Now I intend to shoot PF4+ and develop myself at home. I'm tempted to use Ilford's DDX, but wanted to get some input before buying my chemicals.

Accordingly, what is your favorite developer for FP4+?

Thanks in advance.

I always use D76 or ID11 at 1+1

 

[Ian Grant]

Pyrocat HD, if I had to use a different developer it would be replenished Xtol.

Ian

 

[GLS]

Pyrocat-HD.

 

[Eric Rose]

PyroCat-HD

 

[C Henry]

Pyrocat HD....

 

[JDW22]

Excellent comments and suggestions - thank you all.

Since I do not have a traditional darkroom in my home, I'll be using a Stearman SP-445 tank that will let me develop 4 sheets at a time. I'm excited to get started.

 

[Jarin Blaschke]

Wimberley's WD2D+, which was designed around FP4. Also wonderfully "alive" tonality.

J

 

[Michael W]

Rodinal 1+50

 

[baachitraka]

Adox HR-DEV

 

[Pentode]

D-76 1:1

 

[Patrick Robert James]

If you ask on the internet, you will get as many different answers as there are people.

Most people will use a staining developer with large format. Pyrocat, PMK, WD2D, etc.

You didn't say if you were printing in the darkroom or scanning. If you are scanning then it really doesn't matter.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

D-76 1:1

or of course ID11 1+1

 

[kossi008]

Spur SD2525; but I'm mainly shooting 35 mm

 

[RalphLambrecht]

ID11 as Ilford intended.

 

[bsdunek]

Microdol 1:1 here. Works great for me.

 

[RauschenOderKorn]

Perceptol 1+1

 

[Väinö Louekari]

XTol 1+3