Need advice - Pushing HP5 to 3200 ISO with low agitation

Trainboy

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So here's the deal, I'm pushing HP5 in 35mm to 3200 ISO (Using D-76, the only developer I have right now...)
I've heard that it gets really badly blocked shadows when it's pushed that far, and I was thinking of using either a high dilution or low agitation (like 5 seconds every 2-3 minutes or something) to try to bring out shadow detail without blowing the highlights. Does anyone have any experience with this, or ideas? I read that D-76 isn't the best for stand development, but I was hoping somewhere in between would work.
I searched the forum, but couldn't find anything about this.
 
Unless you're on the International Space Station, you're able to get some other developer that's better suited to push processing...be it by mail order, shopping in person, whatever.

D-76 simply isn't suited for pushing to that degree. The only advice I can legitimately give is wait and do what you can to get hold of DD-X, or Microphen.

Rodinal is well suited to stand but not generally to push processing.
 
Microphen!

4 inversions every 3 minutes is a walk in the park for Microphen. Never get streaking (had that problem once or twice using D76, in attempt to avoid blocked shadows in Tri-X pushed to 1600).

I don't think D76 is a very good compensating developer, not even 1:3 with low agitation. At least that hasn't been my experience. You're already using HP5+, pair it up with its Ilford buddy Microphen :)

EDIT: This site seems to suggest maybe a two-bath method with D76 may produce some compensating effect?
 
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Thanks for the advice, guys...one bit from a fellow Canadian, and another from the other side of the world ;)
Sounds like I'll have to give Microphen a try - I've been avoiding concentrate developers, mostly due to storage problems, but it'll probably come in handy. I'll also read up on that link when I have more time!
 
+1 for DD-X 1+4 as one shot use. Worth it if what is on the film is...Developer is one of the most importrant decisions so I would wait and use the good stuff.
 
RAZOR's right...it's an important choice. Concentrate isn't that bad. Hey if nothing else, it may spur you to shoot a bit more film to use it up!
 
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