New FX-55 Developer

[pentaxuser]

Soon I should develop an Ilford Ortho Plus 80, but I don't have the slightest idea of the development time to start from. I think it's harmful to exceed 6 minutes and 30 seconds

I couldn't find a time for Ilford Ortho + either in the Massive Development Chart (MDC) but the time for FP4+ in Micropnen which is 9 minutes probably comes close to the correct time. Unless you intend to try and find out the "correct" film speed and the development time for you with FX55 then 9-10 mins might be worth trying. Can I ask why you think it is harmful to exceed 6 minutes and 30 seconds?

Thanks

pentaxuser

 

[schyter]

Can I ask why you think it is harmful to exceed 6 minutes and 30 seconds?

Thanks

pentaxuser

sorry ... typing error. I meant 9min 30sec.

I haven't used commercial developers for many years and have nothing in house. I don't want to risk this "important" roll of film; I will opt for the Pota Delagi

However I'm really enjoying the FX-55 even if I haven't printed with an enlarger yet .

 

[pentaxuser]

sorry ... typing error. I meant 9min 30sec.

OK thanks but I still I don't know why 9 mins 30 secs is harmful Do you mean more than 9 mins 30 secs will give you over exposed negatives with Ilford Ortho +? It might but neither of us know this to be the case. It won't be harmful in the sense of ruining your negatives.

Unfortunately no-one seems to have used FX 55 with Ilford Ortho so 9-10 mins is based on my reasons that FX55 is close to Microphen as it has the ability to increase film speed by up to 2/3rds of a stop based on John Finch's test on FP4. Microphen has a similar ability

As I said if I were you then I'd either try to establish my own speed and development time as John Finch does or at least cut a film into 3 parts and develop one part at say 8 mins then examine the negatives and decide on the time for the next part, say 10% more and do the same for part 3 if the second development time is still not right.

pentaxuser

 

[schyter]

OK thanks but I still I don't know why 9 mins 30 secs is harmful Do you mean more than 9 mins 30 secs will give you over exposed negatives with Ilford Ortho +? It might but neither of us know this to be the case. It won't be harmful in the sense of ruining your negatives.

Unfortunately no-one seems to have used FX 55 with Ilford Ortho so 9-10 mins is based on my reasons that FX55 is close to Microphen as it has the ability to increase film speed by up to 2/3rds of a stop based on John Finch's test on FP4. Microphen has a similar ability

As I said if I were you then I'd either try to establish my own speed and development time as John Finch does or at least cut a film into 3 parts and develop one part at say 8 mins then examine the negatives and decide on the time for the next part, say 10% more and do the same for part 3 if the second development time is still not right.

pentaxuser

excellent reasoning.

it's an unimportant and vital roll (my shots are trivial, in the average of many amateur photographers)
I'll take the risk and use FX-55 for 9/10 minutes tonight.
I'll probably be the first in the world to use this pairing (and it's worrying).