PMK development time for Ilford FP4?

[JWestern]

Hey everyone, wondering if anyone had an opinion on this... I'm a student that has just started developing negatives at home using Photo Formulary's liquid PMK. The results using TMAX 400 at the recommended time has produced some great results so far. I'm trying to figure out the best way to approach shooting FP4 to get a good punchy, contrasty negative with those great PMK edge effects. I'm considering either shooting at EI 100 and developing at 125, or pushing straight to 200. However, I'm not sure what the best development time for developing FP4 at 125 or 100 even is... any ideas/recommendations? Also, I've included one of the better results I've gotten from TMAX 400 in PMK.

Thanks, Joe

 

[PhotoJim]

I have good luck at 21 degrees at full box speed at the time on the Massive Film Development Chart. Good density and nice prints! 1:2:100 dilution.

 

[JWestern]

Well, I guess I'll have to try a few different things... :munch:

I also meant to say I was looking for the best development time for 200, not 100. I wonder if the results would be any good pushing the FP4 like that. I've also seen alot of information that points to rating at say EI 64 or thereabout and then developing at 10 minutes. Hm.

Also, according to Photo Formulary, 125 at EI 80 to100 is recommended to develop for 10 minutes at 70 degrees. I suppose I'm really wondering what the real benefit of FP4 125 is over Delta 100... As usual, I'm probably over thinking it.

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

Jwestern, what time and EI do you use for Tmax 400? I've been using PMK for Tri-X and like it a lot; I'd like to try it for Tmax 400.

 

[JWestern]

Hey Chris, I shot at 400, developed at Photo Formulary's recommended 15 minutes at 70 degrees, plus about an extra 30 seconds and that is all. I also do the secondary 2 minute PMK bath which seems to be controversial now, but I've gotten my best results with this method so far. The particular shot I posted was taken using light from a pretty bright soft box plus various neon lighting in the room. You can see the edge effects, and a bit of the 'grain masking' effect, at least I think so... The negative itself looks fantastic, real punchy with a good tonal range. My experience thus far has been with Tmax developer, as its free to use at school, however I don't think I'll bee needing it anymore with the PMK! Great stuff... Best of luck!

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

Thanks Joe, I'll give that a try. Your image looks great, I love the detail it preserved in the bright white fur! That's what makes PMK great is the rendition of very light tones