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maximising film grain

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removedacct3

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What is your way of maximising film grain? I am looking for contrasty, grainy but sharp images on Ilford's HP5+. Any suggestions on E.I., developer or filters?
 

NB23

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Warm dektol
Warm d76
...
 

Huub

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Diluted paper developer, loads of agitation and overexposure. I used Neutol in 1:10 for 12 minutes on Tri-X exposed as 200 iso to achieve this effect. For HP5+ and your paper developer of choice you do need to do some experimenting yourself.
 

Gerald C Koch

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Use a grain mask sandwiched with your negative. You can buy one or make your own.
 

Lachlan Young

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#3 gets close, but you don't need to go down the route of paper developer - overexpose your neg, over process it - ID11 1+1 etc are fine, no need for magic bullets - you want a fairly flat, very well exposed neg, ideally one that needs grade 4-5 at your chosen enlargement size. The hard grade will help to punch in the grain.

Don't over think it, just do.
 

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well it really depends on the degree to which you want to do it. If its just for getting some mood/character into the image without over doing it, then just plain rodinal used at 1:25 or stronger should do it. Or Microphen used at stock should do it and will also give a stop or so of extra speed but is more expensive than rodinal.
 

Bob Carnie

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I was going to say Rodinal is perfect for the OP needs

well it really depends on the degree to which you want to do it. If its just for getting some mood/character into the image without over doing it, then just plain rodinal used at 1:25 or stronger should do it. Or Microphen used at stock should do it and will also give a stop or so of extra speed but is more expensive than rodinal.
 
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removedacct3

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Diluted paper developer, loads of agitation and overexposure. I used Neutol in 1:10 for 12 minutes on Tri-X exposed as 200 iso to achieve this effect. For HP5+ and your paper developer of choice you do need to do some experimenting yourself.

Thanks! This is something I would like to try. In my case, HP5+ in Moersch ECO 4812.
 

gzhuang

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What is your way of maximising film grain? I am looking for contrasty, grainy but sharp images on Ilford's HP5+. Any suggestions on E.I., developer or filters?

Shoot with a polarizer at original EI setting and push process by 2 stops. :tongue:
 

removed account4

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hi OP

try using caffenol C but but 2x the amount of coffee in your mixture,
then add a few oz of your favorite print developer full strength.
use that with film that has been over exposed a couple of stops.
OR you can do what i do nowadays, still make the developer described above
but also mix a batch of dektol ( or your favorite print developer ) 1:8.
developer your film in that at normal temps ( 68ªF/ 20C ) for 4.5 mins instead of 8
agitate 1 full min, and 10 sec / min of it is rolls of 135 or 120, if it is sheets, just shuffle or agitate continuously
after 4.5 mins, dump it out and pour your print developer caffnol mixture in there. agitate continuously for 4 mins.
stop and wash and fix .. you might like the grain.
 

Ron789

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Ilford Delta 3200, developed in Rodinal 1:25. Print on grade 4-5 and enlarge a small part of the image. You'll get something like this:
 

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removedacct3

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Ilford Delta 3200, developed in Rodinal 1:25. Print on grade 4-5 and enlarge a small part of the image. You'll get something like this:

Yes! That is the look I am going for. Thanks!
 

ericdan

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well it really depends on the degree to which you want to do it. If its just for getting some mood/character into the image without over doing it, then just plain rodinal used at 1:25 or stronger should do it. Or Microphen used at stock should do it and will also give a stop or so of extra speed but is more expensive than rodinal.
So, higher dilutions yield less grain?
 

RobC

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So, higher dilutions yield less grain?

depends on the developer. Those that contain a lot of sodium sulphite usually give more grain as you dilute them more. Rodinal is different.
 
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