Pick one Ilford developer.

[Mike Kennedy]

I can afford to place an order to Darkroom Central for one Ilford developer.I shoot HP5 and FP4+.
Suggestions please?

 

[pentaxuser]

DDX

pentaxuser

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

I can afford to place an order to Darkroom Central for one Ilford developer.I shoot HP5 and FP4+.
Suggestions please?

ID-11 diluted 1+1 is very hard to beat, although I personally use Kodak D-76.
It can be used undiluted, although there is a slight initial fog and less shadow detail with some slow and medium speed films when exposed at box speed. I much prefer the results when the developer is diluted 1+1 with FP4 Plus and HP5 Plus. I use it undiluted with Kodak HIE infra-red film.

 

[Ian Grant]

DDX is too expensive.

Xtol OK it's not Ilford, so ID-11 then.

Ian

 

[Andy K]

DDX

 

[keithwms]

Id11 1+1.

 

[Paul.]

ID11 1+1

Regards Paul.

 

[Ian Grant]

No ID-11 full strength and replenished, far higher quality and very much more economic. That's how D76/ID-11 is really designed to be used.

Ian

 

[jim appleyard]

ID-11. You can soup any film made with it, you can use it 1+0 for a fine-grain effect, dilute it 1+1 for a compromise or dilute it 1+3 for an accutance look. It's not great at anything; there are better devs out there that will top it in any one catagory, but ID-11 is good at EVERYTHING!

 

[jmcd]

With costs and quality in mind, ID-11 in a packet to make 5 liters.

 

[mikebarger]

don't they have a HC110 look alike?

 

[Ian Grant]

Yes Ilfotec HC, or the amateur version LC.

Ian

 

[kraker]

If you plan to shoot at box speed: ID11 or Ilfotec HC. If you are pushing: Microphen. That's my top 3...

 

[André E.C.]

Ilfotec DD-X



André

 

[Anscojohn]

ID-11

 

[steven_e007]

I particularly like Perceptol.

It is a very fine grain developer when used as stock, but as you dilute it the solvent effect is diminished and it becomes maybe slightly less fine grain but sharper. I love using it 1+3 when it behaves a bit like D23...

Seems to work very well with both FP4+ and HP5+, perhaps not suprisingly. I was switched onto it by the late Barry Thornton after reading his book, 'Elements'.

 

[mwdake]

Another vote for Perceptol, but I wish they would make in 5 litre size though.

 

[Ian Grant]

Another vote for Perceptol, but I wish they would make in 5 litre size though.

:You buy vast quantities more and they might think about it

 

[Schlapp]

Rodinal

 

[mwdake]

You buy vast quantities more and they might think about it

What my 5 or 6 packets a year isn't enough.
I would love to be able to shoot and develop enough film to use vast quantities.

 

[Martin Aislabie]

ID11 - in 5L packs it is quite economical

Its the best all round developer (or D76 - its Kodak cousin)

Martin

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Thank you for all the replies.I shall give ID-II a try.

 

[Rob Skeoch]

ID-11 use it 1-1.
Rob

 

[Vilk]

DDX

 

[Ondrej1]

ID-11 in 5 litre pack. Use dilution 1 + 1. Perceptol is nice, but speed loss may be critical with HP5+, DDX seems to me in contradiction with the word afford in OP.