J&C 100 Pro+Hypercat and 510-Pyro

[ongarine]

I had time yesterday to prepare the two developers:Hypercat and 510-Pyro.
My test film is J&C 100 Pro 4x5 format and I have some double sheets exposed for the same scene. My method of development is with plastic hangers in plastic tank.
Negatives will be printed on graded fiber paper.
There is someone that gently want to share his experience for the following steps:
- Diluition
I will start with 1:1:100 for Hypercat and 1:100 for 510-Pyro
- Agitation
My standar is after 3 minutes of presoak a continuos agitation for 30 second and 10 seconds every minute
- Time
I estimated 9 minutes in Hypercat and 8 minutes in 510-Pyro
Every suggestion or advise will be welcome from users of this combo of developers and film.
Thank

 

[fhovie]

I wonder if you might have a densitomiter. Film/developer testing is so much better if you have one. You can then report what the true film speed is, what the density range is that you were shooting for and what exposure values it took to get those densitites. I recently ran some tests on 510 Pyro and was shooting for a DR of 1.3 or so to print a full range of tones on Grade 2 paper - which I tested with a step wedge to determine what DR the paper could print. I then found an evenly lit wall and measured a zone 5 exposure. With 12 expousues, I shot zone -1 to 11, one zone per frame to discover film speed and Scene Brightness Range. After development I measured the density of each frame and could find how many zones would print within the DR of 1.3. I also could see which exposure gave me a density greater than F+FB (fog). For the films I tested - I know I will be spot on for exposure and contrast range. I know that if I want to spread 5 zones out over the paper, I will need to expose at twice the film speed and develop in twice the concentration and that I will loose zones 1,2,8,9 & 10 in the printing. Zone 3 will be my new zone 2 and zone 7 will be my new zone 8. If I need all the contrast for a landscape - I know what my filmspeed will be and what my time will be to record everything in the scene. Before I had the densitometer - I looked at my negs and guessed my processes were ok. Now I have confidence in my processes and that helps a lot with the creativity.

 

[ongarine]

Thank,
Fhovie for your reply. I have not a densitometer. My way to develope and print is based mainly on experience and results I want to achieve. I use extensively densitometer many years ago when I developed E6 for my studio and clients and since those days I sold it.
Well appreciate the help and kindness of Jay. PM sent.
Daniele