PanF and Developers

[ColColt]

I recently bough some PanF to try in both 35mm and 120(6x7). My choices for developers are Rodinal and HC-110. Which would be the better of the two? I don't have any data for HC-110 but I'd say with Rodinal 1:75 at about 9 minutes would be close.

I suppose this is not the first time this has been asked but have seen nothing about HC-110.

 

[MattKing]

If it is the current Ilford Pan F Plus film, you could always use Ilford's recommendations for Rodinal and HC-110: http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2006216115811391.pdf

 

[markbarendt]

This is one of those "are blondes or brunettes better?" questions ColColt.

 

[BetterSense]

Perfect thread for me; I just bought my first rolls of PanF. My standard developer is HC110, but HC110 has the property of enhancing highlight contrast, while PanF has a reputation for easily blowing highlights. I see lots of online recommendations for Rodinal and very few for HC110 which makes me wonder if the latter is a bad combination.

 

[ColColt]

The problem with Ilford's suggestions for HC-110 is they only list 4 minutes...IMHO, way to short and especially if you use ASA 32 as I planned. I think I'll try Rodinal instead. I have read, since posting, in several places, Rodinal seems to shine if done properly.

This is one of those "are blondes or brunettes better?" questions ColColt.

Yep, and like HC-110 and Rodinal, I like them all!

 

[ColColt]

I can only imagine that you'd get 4x5 quality with this film in 6x7...I'll soon find out.

 

[BetterSense]

I use 50:1 HC110. I have heard that this gives development times 50% longer than dilution B which is 32:1. Following this advice would be 6 minutes. But I'm not very confident this is optimal.

 

[ColColt]

I suppose I could try Dilution H like I do with Tri-X and HC-110...may be surprised. At 1:60 that's close to your 1:50.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Pan F+ tends to be contrasty. I use an EI of 32 to 40 and develop it in D-23 1+1.

 

[piu58]

> Pan F+ tends to be contrasty

I found a development style which prevents the high contrast. I use Rodinal 1+50, 16°C, 10 minutes with continuous agitation. I measured a HD curve for that combination: An real IS value of around 40 ASA.

Densities (thought for 50 ASA)
1 0.06
2 0.15
2 0.30
4 0.42
5 0.60
6 0.78
7 0.90
8 1.14
9 1.50
10 1.75

If you use 50 ASA the film is slightly too transparent below Zone 6 an somewhat beyond the curve for 9 and 10. But nothing you cannot compensate in the darkroom.

Wonderful film.

 

[John Bragg]

Hi David, I think Rodinal would be a great match with Pan F. HC-110 Dilution H would also work well. In short try both and see what you prefer. Along the way bracket a few frames and nail the personal ei for you.

 

[K-G]

When using HC-110 , this is the Place were you can find information.

http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/hc110/

Karl-Gustaf

 

[TareqPhoto]

Why not using Ilford developers? for Pan F+ i think i tested Ilfosol 3 and it gave me great results and a bit contrasty which i liked, i didn't test the film again, but i have this film only in 120 and i may try again, but i want to have suggestions to which camera i should use and which develop of what i have should i try [Ilfosol 3, HC-110, TMAX, D-76 in powder unopened, Diafine unopened, XTOL unopened for future huge/plenty shots].

 

[JW PHOTO]

PanF+ is not a "certain" developer dependent film. Use want you want or have on hand. Of course it seems to do better, at least for me, in two developers that I use. I've tried it with Xtol, PyrocatMC, Wimberley's WD2D+ and Wd2H+, DK50, Perceptol and Rodinal. The two developers I speak of from all the above? Rodinal and Perceptol(homebrew) are it. I use the Rodinal at 1+100 semi-stand and the Perceptol 1+2 or sometimes 1+3. If I had to pick just one developer for PanF+ it would be my homebrew Perceptol. If it's a normal/bright scene I'll rate the film at ISO 25-32 and use 1+3 or sometimes 1+2. If it's overcast/foggy I'll go 1+2 and rate it at ISO 50 and kick the developing time up one minute to maybe two. I would imagine Gerald's approach with D23 1+1 is very close to my using Perceptol. You can take that last comment with a pinch of salt (chuckle). PanF+ is not my number one film since I shoot mainly with a big, clunky Pentax 6x7 and a tripod is a 100% must with PanF+ and that setup. I don't use HC-110 so can't comment there. All said, PanF+ and Perceptol would be my number one pick of all the developers I have used with the film. Just me of course, John W

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Sorry to be late. Was typing yesterday and home internet went off.
I run through 100ft of PanF+ in 2015. Special film to me and took some time to get used to it. I was trying to use it as PolypanF @100, but no luck.
Yes, at 50 ISO it is four minutes in HC-110 B. Here are the negatives scans:

 

[nworth]

Low grain, high sharpness, and high contrast. You will need to expose and develop very carefully.

 

[Gombrich]

I recently bough some PanF to try in both 35mm and 120(6x7). My choices for developers are Rodinal and HC-110. Which would be the better of the two? I don't have any data for HC-110 but I'd say with Rodinal 1:75 at about 9 minutes would be close.

I suppose this is not the first time this has been asked but have seen nothing about HC-110.

I use Pan F a lot with Rodinal, both 35mm and 120. I think it's a good match.

I do no pre-soak, 18.5°C, 1:150 Rodinal, invert 10 times every ten minutes. For around an hour. I think the semi-stand developing can bring out the grain heavily with some films, but with Pan F it's hard to make the grain prominent.

Here's PAN F 50 with semi stand;


And APX 100 with the same development, the grain really comes out with most other films, Delta 400 is the least grainy, but Trix, APX, HP5 and most others I have tried get a lot of grain, which can be quite nice sometimes.

 

[MrBrowning]

Check Filmdev.org and see which you like better.

 

[gzhuang]

How about positive sildes with PanF using PQ Universal or Tetenal Dokumol?

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)