New FX-55 Developer

pentaxuser

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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

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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

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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

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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).
 
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