Suitable developer for Ilford HP5+

[haryanto]

In my experiments I found that the sharpness was better with the ascorbate than with sulfite. I thought perhaps the fact that the ascorbate is a surface developer which is activated by the p-aminophenol in Rodinal had something to do with it. Xtol, for the same activity, has finer grain and greater sharpness than D-76 according to Kodak.

I use Pyrocat MC Gainer and Sandy described somewhere in apug, cathecol metol with ascorbic acid without sulfite, I've compared the result with PMK and TmaxRS developer in HP5+, the sharpest negative is negative developed with Pyrocat MC with semistand, now all my negative souped in pyrocat MC

 

[AlanC]

Vitamin C. Thanks Tom.

Alan Clark

 

[aldevo]

I use Pyrocat MC Gainer and Sandy described somewhere in apug, cathecol metol with ascorbic acid without sulfite, I've compared the result with PMK and TmaxRS developer in HP5+, the sharpest negative is negative developed with Pyrocat MC with semistand, now all my negative souped in pyrocat MC

I agree, wholeheartedly. I've tested several ISO 400 speed films with Pyrocat-MC using semi-stand development and I am amazed at the apparent sharpness that results with HP5+.

400TX, APX400, and TMY all benefit from this developer (and in areas other than just accutance), but it is "a cut above" with HP5+.

HP5+ and Pyrocat-MC is becoming my favored combination for high contrast scenes.

By reputation, HC-110 is considered a classic combination with HP5+. I have not used it though, as I prefer 400TX for low and moderate contrast scenes - usually developed in PC-TEA.

 

[photosandpaints]

Hi Henry,
I shoot a lot of HP5 and have used both Xtol and HC110. I now use HC110 only, either Dilution B or Dilution H. It's a very classic combination. The HC110 has about the same keeping qualities as Rodinal, which is a great developer, but not with HP5+.

 

[Simon E]

DD-X hasn't been mentioned much. I find it a convenient (liquid) and good allround alternative to ID-11/D-76. Haven't tried dilutions beyond 1+4 yet, but I've read that diluting it up to 1+9 works well.

Simon.

 

[PepMiro]

My favourite developer for HP5+ is PMK Pyro (in both 4x5 and 120)

 

[brian steinberger]

DD-X is one of the best. Use it at 1:4, 1:7, or 1:9, depending on how much grain and sharpness you like. Also, pyrocat HD is and excellent pyro developer for HP5.

Brian

 

[Black Dog]

Another vote for dilute Perceptol-highly and rightly recommended by Barry Thornton. His 2 bath formula works great too, but I really love PMK and PCAT with this film-wow! DDX and Microphen work great for pushing.

 

[jim appleyard]

Rodinal, which is a great developer, but not with HP5+.

I've found that Rodinal is a very nice dev for HP-5. But, that's why we have different films and different devs.

 

[Eric Rose]

I've just souped some HP5 rated at 200 asa in Rodinal 1:50 and they look great.

 

[Black Dog]

BTW if there's any snow round your way, then PCAT works great with HP5.

 

[Rolleijoe]

Hello everybody:
I usually take photographies with B&W 35 mm Ilford HP5+, and Rodinal is the developer I always work with.
However, I would like to know your opinions about changing Rodinal for another more suitable developer. Thank you,
Henry.

Hi Henry,

When I shot HP5+, I was happiest with D-76 straight for 6.5min @ 20gradC.
Although I may sometime later this year need to use it as a faster 4x5 sheet film, in which case I will be going with Rodinal.

On Flickr, I've seen the best results from Ilford products (and even T-Mud films) soaked in Rodinal. There was 1 time I tried DD-X, and it was just awful.
But I'm shooting Rolleiflex, Hasselblad with all Zeiss glass.

 

[rjas]

HC110 is my favorite mostly becuase its what I have and I'm happy with it. I've tried Rodinal and I think it looks terrible; huge mushy grain. But I see here some people like it, just goes to show you there is no best developer.

 

[ContaxGman]

I have to cast my vote for the seldom-mentioned DDX. I believe Roger Hicks indicated in an article once that it gives HP5+ a speed of about 650, so I shoot it at 400 and cut development about 10%. This gives wonderful detail in the shadows without blowing highlights - for me at least. Not only does it give the excellent speed for handholding my Contax G, but the grain really is reduced and the tonality is beautiful, printing easily on MGIV. Plus it comes in convenient liquid and seems to have excellent shelf life.

 

[jstraw]

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

HP5+ in 510-Pyro (warning, Holga image)