FP4 Development

[Joe Henry]

What's everyone using for Ilford FG4 developer, to best show off the Leica glass?
Thanks,
Joe

 

[titrisol]

OK, now you confused me completely FG-4 or FG-7 or Fp-4????

FG-7 is a developer by edwal that is an excellent all around developer (better than D76 IMHO)

Ilford FP4+ is a film, how each person develops it is a matter of taste.
I like to develop it in Ilfosol-S... awesome!

PS. I'd try to use 1 or 2 developers at most. DDX as BJ says, and Rodinal are now my poisons of choice depensing on what I want from each film.
Also be aware that if you plan to scan as opposed to wet-printing you may need to develop to a different contrast index

 

[BJ Bignell]

(I Googled, and couldn't find any FG-4 developer, so we'll assume FP4+ film is the topic.)


I have had the opposite experience from titrisol: My FP4+ in Ilfosol-S was far too grainy... I was probably just over-agitating (due to inexperience). I've seen some beautiful examples from that film, though, and have heard many positive comments regarding Ilfosol-S as a developer for slow- and medium-speed films.

For what it's worth, Ilford recommends DD-X (my poison of choice for all films) or ID-11 for best overall quality, or Perceptol for finest grain. Link to the FP4+ PDF

Let us know what you come up with, and do show some examples!

 

[Andy K]

I quite like FP4+ when it's developed in Rodinal 1+50 as in the attachment.

 

[MrBuhl]

Don't have a Leica but I use both 25+1 Rodinal and XTOL full strength - I am new to the XTOL and am trying dilutions now as I think it needs a little more time to cook... just my two cents...

 

[Doug]

I shot 38 rolls of FP-4 in the 10 years prior to 1982, all at EI 125 developed in Edwal FG-7. Some of this was exposed in a Pentax 6x7 and some in a Leica M2 with 35 'cron and 90 TE, and obviously I liked the look. 🙂 I also shot one roll last year in an Olympus Pen FT at EI 250 and developed in Diafine. The negs look very good, but I haven't scanned or printed it yet.

 

[Kin Lau]

@EI 100, Rodinal 1:50, 15min's. I did try Ilfosol-S in the beginning, but it's got a short shelf-life and Rodinal is just so much more convenient and great shelf-life, and cheaper too.

I'll be trying it in Diafine as well.

 

[TPPhotog]

Another vote for Rodinal! There again I seldom use anything else these days 😀