Pushing HP5+

[SteveH]

All,
Im about to develop the film I had exposed during our trip to Eastern State Penn. I shot HP5+, which Im going to be developing in Rodinal. When I looked up the time on the Mass Dev Chart, I discovered that they have times listed for pushes to 800, 1600, and even 3200asa. Does anyone have experience with this ? I have 5 sheets left, I might give them a try @ 1600 this evening.

 

[ZorkiKat]

Is Rodinal really good for pushing? Bad question- ha! I'm sure this has been answered a lot of times already.

But if you use D76 1+1, you can start by doubling the time given for normal exposures when you want to push process for EI 1600.

 

[SteveH]

Thanks....But I asked if anyone had done this before; not if it were deemed a 'good idea' or not.

 

[metod]

Steve, HP5+ responds very well to pushing. I actually always pushed it, which added a bit of contrast for my diffuser enlarger and also gained speed for my slower zoom. I never tried to push it to 3200, but 1600 is quite good. As for the developer, my memory fails me now, but I think I used Ilfotec DD-X.
Of course, except increase in grain and try to avoid contrasty scenes, as your contrast will increase.


Good luck.
Metod

 

[Marco Gilardetti]

The second HP5 pushing with Rodinal topic in two days. And Rodinal is not even for push process. What's going on, folks? Did I miss anything perhaps?

 

[SteveH]

And Rodinal is not even for push process.

What do you mean by this ?

 

[gnashings]

They mean that Rodinal is not a speed enhancing developer and its famous for its sharp rendition of the films grain - at any speed. Having said that, this is just a case of no white pants after labour day. Some people care, some don't.
You mention sheets - I have not done this in LF(having no LF gear) but in MF I have frequently pushed HP5+ to 800 in Rodinal 1+25 and I feel confident that you would have lovely results even after one more stop. I find with the very basic methods I use (regular agitation in daylight tank), I still get decent shadow detail and the grain is by no means obtrusive from 6x6 or 6x7 (so you can extrapolate that to LF). I am holding a Ilford postcard in my hand, from one of the fellow APUG members, and its an example of HP5+ at 3200 in Rodinal 1+25, and it too shows remarkable quality given the speed increase.
Is Rodinal ideal for pushing? Probably not, from a technical stand point. Can it push? Sure. Do people do it? I do, others do - I don't see why not try it out. Besides, I didin't get the idea from your post that you were looking for philosophical views on Rodinal and pushing in general... but you will never avoid those answers when you mention Rodinal - people have strong feelings about it, it seems
Best of luck,

Peter.

 

[SteveH]

Peter,
Excellent. Thank-you, that is what I was looking for. Not that I wouldn't say 'to hell with it all', and push it to 1600 while wearing zuba stripe white pants...Its just that I was wondering if anyone else had the thought to.
Im going to try it this evening (last evening I got tied up), and see what happens. Being as I have 5 sheets left, I'll try 2 @ 800, 2 @ 1600, and 1 @ 3200; just for giggles.

Thanks !

 

[Marco Gilardetti]

Not that I wouldn't say 'to hell with it all', and push it to 1600 while wearing zuba stripe white pants...Its just that I was wondering if anyone else had the thought to.

You'll sure get a good negative, but take time to compare the results with Ilford Microphen one of these days.

 

[gnashings]

I'd love to see the results! As much as I happen to be a Rodinal fan (atic), I really fell in love with it even more once I did some 6x7 negs in it - I can only imagine the LF sheets (I am drooling as we speak - yes, another LF wannabe in waiting!). I am sure the results will be more grainy than with Microphen (a developer that I am sure is excellent, I just never learend to tame it very well), but a)its LF and b) I think you will have some lovely, striking results that will be very vivid and full of their very own flavour! Post 'em up when you can!

Peter.

PS. Those pants you mention - they may be a great subject for some high contrast, graphic-effect type work, hmmm..... (I mean pictures of them - but hey, take the idea and run with it, I say!)

 

[SteveH]

Peter et. al.,
I didn't get the chance to head out last night, as the lightning storms sort of scared me away from traveling outside with a large metal object . Hopefully by Monday evening I'll have some results for you.

 

[poutnik]

Just to add my bit,

during this weekend I shot 3 rolls of HP5+ (6x7cm roll film) on a wedding, and inside the church I had to rate it at 3200. I developed it in Rodinal (or more precisely the Foma R09 variant). I used R09 in 1:40 dillution (@20degC) and my typical semi-stand routine - inversion agitation for the first 30sec, then 1 inversion every 5th minute up to a total of 55minutes. The negatives came out wonderful... I'll try to add something to the gallery after I scan them (that would be some weeks though)...

So if you have to cope with very low light, this is a possible and good way to go...

 

[chapmank]

kodak tmax developer

worked for me at 800 (1+4 8 mins) and 1600 (1+4 9.5 mins)

 

[Lee Shively]

I've been very happy shooting HP5+ at 800 and processing in Rodinal 1:50 with sodium sulfite. I go around 12 minutes at 68 degrees. I suspect the same time with a 1:25 dilution would yield at least acceptable results if it was shot at 1600. I've not done this yet, so I can't be sure.