FP4+ and Perceptol

[LeicaFoReVer]

I really liked the results. First time I used this combo. The grains are quite smooth/invisible.


M6+35mm color skopar

M6+50mm f2.8 elmar-M early version

M6+50mm f2.8 elmar-M early version

100% crop

 

[John Bragg]

Nice results from this combination. I haven't used Perceptol for a long while but it is a great developer. It is much sharper used one shot as I recall because the further dilution reduces the silver solvent effect of the sulphite. It is in reality, D23 with added sodium chloride. Perfectly possible to mix your own version if you so choose.

 

[Bill Clark]

I like FP4 Plus as it is a good medium speed film and, wih a developer like Perceptol, the two seem to work together very well.

One recommendation I suggest is for Ilford to offer Perceptol in a box to mix up 5 liters like ID-11.

Thanks for submitting your photographs and sharing your thoughts.

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

Thank you Bill / John!

Yes, I realized also that perceptol's shelf life is quite short once mixed up...only 6 months it says. I wonder it I light seal the bottle and drop some glass beads, that can be extended?

I also realized that while sitting couple of days, perceptol gets some dark residue settled at the bottom. It goes away by shaking it couple of times. Is this normal?

 

[Bill Clark]

I use empty soda bottles as the plastic doesn't react with black and white developers, stop bath and fixer. The cap seals the bottle completely and works over and over. I imagine this is because of the fizz in soda, designed so it doesn't go flat. I use empty 1 liter bottles for Perceptol. You'll find the stuff lasts a long time if stored in a cool place that's dark. For me, that's using a cabinet in the darkroom.

I believe the dark stuff you see are chemicals reacting with oxygen along with heat and light.

I do have some Pyro developers but I keep the liquid in the plasic containers they came in from formulary.

Hope this helps you.

 

[kossi008]

I really liked the results.

Agree... just used this combo last year...

 

[rodt16s]

With Perceptol I mix the A+B and decant into 10x 100ml jars immediately
The small jars had some ready cut garlic or something I bought from the supermarket specifically for the size
I fill to the top(ish) so virtually no air and as the solution is warm from mixing it creates a partial vacuum when cooled
Then with a Patterson tank requiring approx 300ml per film
My usual 1+2 = one jar mixed into 200grms of water..

 

[lynnb]

Thanks for sharing the results. I haven't tried Perceptol; your results look similar to my results with XTOL (which has a similar shelf life problem).