Using Ilford Ilfotec HC film developer

Since it doesn't seem that I can find LC29 here in the USA, I've decided to give HC a try.

The Ilfotec HC pdf says that you first mix the concentrate 1+3 then dilute it further to something like 1+31. Is this correct?

I am looking for some real world responses to those folks who have used this developer with FP4+ and HP5+, my two main films.

Thanks.

"The Ilfotec HC pdf says that you first mix the concentrate 1+3 then dilute it further to something like 1+31. Is this correct?"

No. If you prepare a 1+3 stock solution, then for a work dilution of 1+31 you must take 1 part of stock solution and 7 parts of water, acording the Ilford pdf.
Best to prepare directly from the concentrate 1 part of concentrate with 31 parts of water.
You must visit http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/hc110/ because Ilfotec HC is very close to Kodak HC-110, maybe the developing times are slightly diferent.

I'm using it at this very moment. I use it for all my films, mostly fp4 and hp5, some hodak hie. It's very convenient and gives my nice crisp grain.


Jaap Jan Helder

david b said:

The Ilfotec HC pdf says that you first mix the concentrate 1+3 then dilute it further to something like 1+31. Is this correct?

I am looking for some real world responses to those folks who have used this developer with FP4+ and HP5+, my two main films.

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Present! I'm using it mainly for HP5+ and FP4+. The *total* dilution should be 1+15, 1+31, 1+47. I don't make a stock solution, I just use it from the concentrate, get the concentrate out with a syringe. For example 16 ml concentrate + 496 ml water makes 512 ml 1+31 solution. (I need 500, but with 1+31 it's nice to think in powers of two )

Although Ilfotec HC is not Kodak HC-110, this page is worth a visit.

Why is this stuff $35 per liter in the USA?

david b said:

Why is this stuff $35 per liter in the USA?

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...you mean, why is it $35-$42 per liter when the Kodak equivalent (HC-110) is something like $20-$26 per liter?

David,
The only film/dev I use is Ilfotec/HP5, so I can't tell you wheter it's good or bad in comparison with other combinations, but so far I'm pretty satisfied with it. Sharp, small grain, etc. The only disadvantage is, that it's not exactly a "speed-enhancing" developer. I have to expose HP5 (120) at IE200, and develop for 7:30 mins (dilution 1+31) to get good shadow detail (I make contact prints of all my negs using the "maximum black"-method). With 35mm I expose and develop at standard speed/time. Can't really explain the difference, all I can tell you is that this works for me. My technique is very consistent, if I may say so
I've tried some stand development with high dilutions (1:119). It looks very promising, especially with pushed film, but I need to experiment more..

Tim

btw.. I'm the third dutch apugger to post in this thread. That's probably because of the other advantage of Ilfotec HC: it's CHEAP! Even if you have to pay $35: 16ml for 2 films= 125 rolls of film!!

Well thanks everyone for your replies. Looks like I might be the only person on APUG using this stuff.

I should have it here next week. I'll let you know the results.