Hp5+ Best developer?

[jbrubaker]

There's a thread here already about Tri-x, but what about Iford HP5+? I have a large amount of this film and would like to keep as much speed as possible without the grain going too much out of control. What do you guys recommend? Thanks ---john.

 

[J J Kapsberger]

I think it works will with HC110:

ISO 800

ISO 800

ISO 400

 

[sojournerphoto]

I like it at 800 in Xtol

or at 400 in Aculux for a Grungy look

but not at all in Rodinal

Mike

 

[capitalK]

Also a fan of HP5 in HC-110 1+49

 

[Calzone]

I have a large amount of this film and would like to keep as much speed as possible without the grain going too much out of control. quote]

I love using Microphen, but I push HP5 to 650 ASA (a little more than half a stop), but I use 3:1 dilution. The developement times are long and extended but are worth it. (23 minutes at 20 degrees C) The slow developement keeps the grain small.

I don't follow Ilford's recomended aggitation. I only invert the tank for ten seconds the first minute, and for each additional minute I twist and rotate the tank for ten seconds. I beleive this leads to slight underaggitation that also slightly lowers contrast. Probably also helps me keep shadow detail also.

My negs can be straight printed on number 2 graded paper. Grain remains small.

Calzone

 

[Turtle]

Xtol is fantastic and gives more speed than HC110. DDX also works incredibly well and I have negs from both that I like very much. D76/ID11 is a good choise but again you get less speed if that matters to you. In flat light, EI800 and DDX/Xtol 1+1 you'd be forgiven for thinking you had not pushed the film at all. whatever you do do not develop gently at an Ei of 200 or so in Xtol in flat light as rthe negs will be flat as a pancake. I'd only rate it at 200 in DDX/Xtol in seriously contrasty conditions and then combined with reduced development. This film copes incredibly well with birght conditions if dveloped gently. Dont know why, it just does.

 

[Ronald_H]

While I struggle to get consistent result with HC110 and Tri-X, I find that HP5+ rated at 640-800 works for me. 7.5min in Solution 'B' at 20degrees Celsius, Leica M2, CV Ultron 35mm f1.7:

 

[Roger Hicks]

The main advantage of all-organic developers such as HC-110 (many say, the only advantage) is that they are long-lived and cheap. For maximum speed (true ISO 650+), Ilford's DD-X and Microphen are unbeatable; for slightly less speed and finer grain, Xtol followed by ID11/D-76.

Cheers,

R.

 

[FrankS]

how about ilford's own ilfosol-s? i used this for years with hp5+ and only switched to hc-110 for economic and longevity reasons.

 

[stephan_cautaerts]

400 ASA in DDX, 9 min at 20°C

 

[mwooten]

I always liked ilfotec hc with hp5.

 

[jmcd]

I have gotten good results with HP5+ in Rodinal, D-76, ID-11, HC-110, and Xtol, with Xtol giving the most speed. More so than other films I have used, HP5+ does not tolerate underdevelopment, so some testing might be in order to get the contrast level where you like it for your chosen speed.

 

[Turtle]

FWIW I find Xtol 1+2 and DDX (at least at 1+7 as I use it) make identical speed or at least so close I cant see the difference. I also find DDX grain no different to D76 with Xtol a little finer. DDX and Xtol are so good I find no reason to go back to the good old D76/ID11 standard.