Need advice - Pushing HP5 to 3200 ISO with low agitation

[Trainboy]

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.

 

[Colin Corneau]

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.

 

[xwhatsit]

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?

 

[Trainboy]

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!

 

[RAZOR]

+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.

 

[Colin Corneau]

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!