Time for Efke R25 in Ilford LC29?

[altair]

Does anyone have a time for the above? I use LC29 at 1:19 dilution, but any dilution will do. Massive dev chart doesn't have it.

Failing that, it is safe to use the time for HC110 Dilution H, which is 7 mins? I've heard LC29 is similar to HC110. I may be wrong.

 

[altair]

Forgot to add, film rated at box speed.

 

[altair]

Anyone?

 

[Ian Grant]

Well I don't use LC29 but I do use EFKE PL25 (5x4 & 10x8) it's the same as R25 (120) and I develop for the same times as FP4

So 7-8 minutes in LC29 1+29 will be fine.

Ian

 

[altair]

Thanks Ian! So is it safe for me to assume the same dev times as FP4 for Efke R25?

 

[ashokgoyal42]

Have you checked out http://www.fotokemika.net/ - they don't give the Ilford developers for Efke but they give a host of others. That might guide you with this and other Efke films.

I developed Efke PL 100 recently in HC110 and wasn't pleased with the highlights or the shadows. I'm gonna try Perceptol next - will keep this thread posted with results.

 

[altair]

ashok: No, I haven't..thanks for the link. I'll check it out. From what I can see, they gave the times for most major developers, i.e D76 etc. Failing all else, I might use the time for D76.

Regarding your result with PL100 and HC110, what didn't you like in the shadows & highlights?

 

[ashokgoyal42]

The detail was missing in the shadows and the highlights were blown. I was very careful with the exposure as it is stated on Efke's site that the film cannot take over exposure at all. So I'm trying out a couple of developers before I make a final opinion on the film.

 

[altair]

Perhaps it was due to overdevelopment, ashok?

 

[ashokgoyal42]

Possibly not. Reason being that I used a very mild dilution 1+49 of HC110. I think it's the type of developer that would make a difference. I'm not an expert yet on developer chemistry quality etc, but I think Perceptol might be a better developer for Efke 100.

Also overdevelopment would increase contrast but would it destroy the detail in the shadows by darkening it? I'm not so sure. Anyone else?

 

[ashokgoyal42]

Thanks Michael,

That's been helpful.

 

[Anscojohn]

The detail was missing in the shadows and the highlights were blown. I was very careful with the exposure as it is stated on Efke's site that the film cannot take over exposure at all. So I'm trying out a couple of developers before I make a final opinion on the film.

**************
Thin emulsion, single-layer films such as R25 are inherently contrasty and are not forgiving of overdevelopment. The classic film developers for these films are compensating types, such as Rodinal, Edwal FG-7, Minicol II, D76/ID11 1:3. Did you notice that the Fotokemika sheet listed the film speed as DIN14--just like the old KB-14, R14 of this film when it was made by Schleussner and Dupont, in the pre Fotkemika days. I used to soup KB-14 in Rodinal 1:85.

 

[altair]

Ashok: Michael's reply seems to be very informative to me, better look into what he says. Judging from the photo you attached, my limited experience tells me it is overdeveloped (the blown highlights)..that is of course, if your exposure was indeed spot on. You're using Dilution H of HC110 I assume?

Anscojohn: What other films are similar to R25, John? I may be way off here, but is R25 considered an 'ortho' film? I'm very anxious to develop the roll I have now, I have had no prior experience with it.

 

[ashokgoyal42]

Yup, it's over developed. Thinking back on the development I did, I had agitated the film more than 3 seconds every 30 seconds. Course correction, back to planning more carefully and executing mechanically.

 

[altair]

Ashok, my normal agitation procedure for HC110 is 10 seconds or 4 inversions every minute. Try that, it might work. Btw, i love your work on 6x7. Do keep us posted on your findings.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Ashok,

Very dilute Perceptol (i.e. 1+3) might work well. The shadow areas develop first, so contrast in terms of processing is a function of both developer type and development time. HC110 can be used at very high dilutions, e.g. 1+99 but I've not done so. Rodinal is another option, depending on availability of supplies in India.

Tom

 

[ashokgoyal42]

I'm loading up some Efke 100 to develop with HC110. I'm going to keep the same dilution as before and control my agitation. Thanks everyone for your inputs. I hope to post a pic by Monday.

I just read in Anchell's Darkroom Cookbook that Efke 100 (and 25 and 50) is among the few films which "rely entirely on light sensitivity ... to create film speed". These are good films for Zone system expansion and contraction too.

 

[ashokgoyal42]

Btw, i love your work on 6x7.

Thanks.

 

[altair]

Not sure about what exactly Anchell is referring to there....but, all the best with your endeavors. Do keep us posted on your results and finding..some pics too!

 

[ashokgoyal42]

Results

Here are the results of my latest attempt with Efke 100 and HC110. (The portions out of focus were intentioned that way.)

In my opinion I messed up again.
a) The agitation was too less. I think I've lost sharpness because of that.
b) I have a feeling that the solution dilution was messed up too resulting in a soft and grainy picture and not as sharp as the first one I uploaded.

Opinions and suggestions welcome.

Ashok
(Film Efke 100 PL, Camera Shenhao, Lens 210mm Schneider, HC110 (1+49) at 18C 11.45 min. Agitation first 30 seconds and then 3 agitations every 30 seconds.)

 

[altair]

Well, the OOF areas of the photo is very to my liking, Ashok. Extensive movements used with the Shenhao?

I can't really say what went wrong (or if anything is wrong) with your development, as I'm not very well versed with using HC110. Perhaps other members here can chip in with their opinions.

Was the film rated at 100? And is 1+49 dilution of HC110 also known as Dilution H? It has slipped my mind...

 

[ashokgoyal42]

Actually 1+49 is a dilution recommended by a fellow photographer on APUG. EFKE is 100 iso. Yes extensive movement with the Shenhao I was trying something but that didn't work.