400TX in HC-110 looks pale

[Svitantti]

Usually dilution does not determine contrast if you do not keep the dev. time constant. Usually contrast is controlled with development time does.

Different dilutions are used to reach certain graininess and edge sharpness or compensating development (stand, semi-stand, or just less agitation with longer times).

If your negatives are pale, develop longer (unless there really is some more serious problem with the developer). You can use selenium toner or such, to post-process the negatives. This gives them some more density and contrast. Using bleach and then selenium works even better.

 

[J J Kapsberger]

My experience is that if you don't develop long enough with HC-110 you will get lowered tonality (whatever tonality is)...

I've had problems with Macki Lines using HC-110 (in my case both with HP5+ and with APX100). Have you gotten the same thing when 'underdeveloping' with HC110? Going with agitation every 30 seconds as opposed to every 1 minute seems to have solved things for me.

 

[charjohncarter]

I've had problems with Macki Lines using HC-110 (in my case both with HP5+ and with APX100). Have you gotten the same thing when 'underdeveloping' with HC110? Going with agitation every 30 seconds as opposed to every 1 minute seems to have solved things for me.

I haven't experienced Mackie lines (ever), but I read somewhere that the thicker the emulsion the more likely you are to get them. I'm developing some TriX tomorrow using HC-110 and Ansel Adams Compensating development. As that uses reduced agitation I'll look for them.

 

[charjohncarter]

This is OT, but JJ, here is the fruits of some reseach I did on HC-110 and Mackie lines:

http://photo.net/black-and-white-photo-film-processing-forum/00KbMS

 

[Rob-F]

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten." (Moms mabley, I think.) But 100 rolls? I'd have tried something different after one. This is no way to save money.

Buy D-76 in the one gallon size and use it 1:1. It is not expensive, and it is the gold standard for tri-X. XTOL also works well with Tri-X and is not expensive, but you have to miz 5 liters, which is a bit more of a pain to mix and store than a gallon is.

HC-110 is like "Bisquick." It is convenient, but doesn't excel in any one area. Not the sharpest, nor the finest grain, nor the most speed-enhancing. Phooey.

 

[dfoo]

Usually dilution does not determine contrast if you do not keep the dev. time constant. Usually contrast is controlled with development time does.

I've said it before, and now I'll say it again 🙂 Agitation determines contrast. Development determines density.

 

[oscroft]

Hi Folks,

I used to dev Tri-X for 7.5 mins @20C in HC-110 dil B, but I switched to 7 mins because that gives me negs that are easier to scan - that's exposed at ISO 400 and agitated for 30 secs and then 5 secs every min (I agitate with the little twiddly stick, because my tank seals invariably leak if I try inversion). I'd expect 6.5 mins to give me negs that are a little thin.

I've also used both US and Euro concentrates, and I've seen no difference whatsoever in the results from the two (providing I get the dilution of each right, of course).

 

[J J Kapsberger]

This is OT, but JJ, here is the fruits of some reseach I did on HC-110 and Mackie lines:

http://photo.net/black-and-white-photo-film-processing-forum/00KbMS

Interesting. Thanks.

 

[Svitantti]

I've said it before, and now I'll say it again 🙂 Agitation determines contrast. Development determines density.

It is not so straightforward, but yes kind of. Agitating adds contrast more, because fresh developer will get into highlight parts too. Longer dev time will exhaust the developer from there, but it will neither develop the shadows much after certain point.

If you use constant agitation, for example once a minute (not stand processing), longer time will mean you will add some agitation cycles, so time and agitation usually go hand in hand. If this is the case, fresh developer will get also to highlights and also they will develop more when time is extended.

 

[charjohncarter]

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten." (Moms mabley, I think.) But 100 rolls? I'd have tried something different after one. This is no way to save money.

Buy D-76 in the one gallon size and use it 1:1. It is not expensive, and it is the gold standard for tri-X. XTOL also works well with Tri-X and is not expensive, but you have to miz 5 liters, which is a bit more of a pain to mix and store than a gallon is.

HC-110 is like "Bisquick." It is convenient, but doesn't excel in any one area. Not the sharpest, nor the finest grain, nor the most speed-enhancing. Phooey.

Maybe so, but if that creamy, full tone, smoothness (you get with TmaX100/HC-110h) is what you want then it is the developer of choice.

 

[DGA]

Hi Folks,

I used to dev Tri-X for 7.5 mins @20C in HC-110 dil B, but I switched to 7 mins because that gives me negs that are easier to scan - that's exposed at ISO 400 and agitated for 30 secs and then 5 secs every min (I agitate with the little twiddly stick, because my tank seals invariably leak if I try inversion). I'd expect 6.5 mins to give me negs that are a little thin.

I've also used both US and Euro concentrates, and I've seen no difference whatsoever in the results from the two (providing I get the dilution of each right, of course).

Alan, you seem to be right, according to my experience.
I'll give that a try once I have a 320-400 EI exposed roll.

Currently I shoot at EI 800 (Tri-X, or course) and yesterday I developed 4 rolls with a little revised method:
HC-110 (B), 11min @ 20°C.
Constant agitation in the 1st minute.
Then, 10 seconds of modest agitation every minute.

Excellent results.

 

[clayne]

Thin/pale are two separate things here. Are we talking lack of density or lack of contrast? Lack of density is underexposure and/or development *time*. Lack of contrast is scene/film/*agitation* dependent.

I really don't care for HC-110 and have always found 400TX pairs like a brother to D-76 1+1 or XTOL 1+1 (when pushed).

Maybe so, but if that creamy, full tone, smoothness (you get with TmaX100/HC-110h) is what you want then it is the developer of choice.

As another person mentioned, I couldn't agree more about HC-110 being akin to Bisquick. Surely you've processed 400TX in D-76?