Realistic times for FP4 in HC-110

[KidA]

Last night I developed a roll of FP4 (135) in HC 110 'B' (1:31) Pushed to 200. I don't have my notes at hand, so I don't remember the time exactly, but I did follow recommended times. And the result were really nice. Quite high contrast tho. I was printing with '0-1/2' multigrade filters. My first time printing FP4 and I fell in love! Can't wait to expose some more of this stuff at different speeds.

 

[reneboehmer]

Yesterday when randomly testing my new sensitometer I encountered the issue many here report. That of way too much contrast in Fp4 when in HC110 Dilution B.

Here are two curves of FP4. 6 and 9 min. As reported in the datasheet.

Here are my results.

 

[aconbere]

Yesterday when randomly testing my new sensitometer I encountered the issue many here report. That of way too much contrast in Fp4 when in HC110 Dilution B.

Here are two curves of FP4. 6 and 9 min. As reported in the datasheet.

Here are my results.

I actually get too contrasty negatives with FP4 in HC-110 with both 1+31 and 1+63. I’ve cut their times almost in half. So i’m curious about your results but I could use help interpreting them.

 

[reneboehmer]

I actually get too contrasty negatives with FP4 in HC-110 with both 1+31 and 1+63. I’ve cut their times almost in half. So i’m curious about your results but I could use help interpreting them.

Hello Aconbere,
my measuring shows that the steepness of the curve is too intense. The calculated steepness; or gamma, is about 1.10, with a development time of 6 min. (which already is 3 min under the recommended time) A good curve steepness for diffuse enlarger printing should be a bout 0.75. Your statement of halving the time (from 9 to 4,5) is probably right on the money. This should be good for a negative to print well at 2 1/2 or 2 grade paper, in a diffuse light enlarger.

 

[reneboehmer]

Hello Aconbere,
my measuring shows that the steepness of the curve is too intense. The calculated steepness; or gamma, is about 1.10, with a development time of 6 min. (which already is 3 min under the recommended time) A good curve steepness for diffuse enlarger printing should be a bout 0.75. Your statement of halving the time (from 9 to 4,5) is probably right on the money. This should be good for a negative to print well at 2 1/2 or 2 grade paper, in a diffuse light enlarger.

I can't say what speed the film would have at this development time, though. Maybe anywhere from 50 to 80 ISO. This can only be assumed from my side at this moment.

 

[reneboehmer]

I actually get too contrasty negatives with FP4 in HC-110 with both 1+31 and 1+63. I’ve cut their times almost in half. So i’m curious about your results but I could use help interpreting them.

Hey, I have made the tests and to me, it seems that an optimal development is 5 min in 1+47 Kodak Hc110. The approx. Speed at this development would be ISO50. With a development of 6 min in 1+79 an approx ISO of 25 probably be ok. The 5 min 1+47 will compress a 5 Stop Subject luminance range into 1.17 Density range and a 6 min 1+79 will compress a 7 Stop Subject luminance range into 1.11 Density range. Ilford warm tone FB datasheet states that a 1.1 DR is optimal for grade 2 printing.