Pushing HP5 in XTOL ?

Hello, this is my first post at APUG.

I have tried pushing HP5 @ ISO800 with DDX 1+4, HC-110B, and D76 1+1. The results are quite good, but I think grain can be smoother and hopefully not trading off a lot of sharpness for that.

I have tried XTOL 1+1 with Neopan 1600 at ISO3200, and was very pleased with the results. Is XTOL a good developer for pushing HP5 ? I would appreciate any tips and recommendations on dilution, time, agitation, etc.

Xtol is an excellent developer for nearly any- and everything.

I'd use it undiluted for pushing purposes; all things equal, more dilution means more grain. I use a Jobo so my times won't be relevant to your situation; experimentation is the order of the day.

The Ilford Film Processing Chart that I have lists 11minutes at 68 degrees for XTOL stock solution and 17 minutes at 68 degrees for XTOL 1 to 1 for HP5 Plus at 800. I think Delta 3200 looks better at 800 than HP5 Plus. The same chart lists Delta 3200 exposed at 800 in XTOL stock solution at 6 minutes at 68 degrees. Agitation for hand tanks is 4 inversions during first 10 seconds and 4inversions each minute thereafter. I think the Ilford Film Processing Chart is still available on Illfords website.
Good luck,
Doug Webb

XTOL is one of the better developers to use if you need to push film. It can deliver, maybe, about an extra 1/3 stop shadow detail with extended development. This may not sound like much, and it isn't. But what the heck, every little bit helps in these situations.