new to HP5 in HC110

FrankS

FrankS

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I'm trying a new film/developer combo and need some advice. Previously with HP5 film, I've used Ilfosol S developer but am looking for a cheaper alternative so I bought some HC110, having read of 1:63 dilutions with it. (Ilfosol S dilutions are 1:4 or 1:9.)

So, can anyone share their time/temp/dilution/agitation stats for this combo, please?

(For 100 speed films, I'm sticking to Rodinol for now, at least until that bottle is used up.)
 
I also use HC110 at 1:100 (rougly) with times around 3x from the dilution B times.

No promises on how that acts with HP5 tho - I haven't shot that combination in a long time.
 
Frank, I used that combo on a regular basis. I've settled on Dilution H (1:63 from the concentrate), 12 minutes @ 20 deg C, inversions for the first 30 seconds and then for 10 seconds every 2 minutes. Dilution B is too short a time for the developer to act on the film (in theory anyway) so most people say H is best.

I develop to print wet, so if you're scanning for your prints you may want to make them less dense.

If you're using steel tanks, the math works out to 7.5ml of HC110 concentrate into 472.5ml of water (or near there!) for a two reel tank. Half of that for a single, etc. Syringes are really nice for this. Any pharmacy will have 10ml oral syringes on the cheap, if not free if you ask nicely and bat your eyelashes.
 
I use HC-110 with HP5+ (usually with medium format) and I have settled on Dilution H (1:63) at 68 deg F for 9 1/2 minutes. Agitation every 30 sec for 5.

It's a nice combo.

I distribute a newly opened container into separate 4 oz amber bottles -- lasts a good long time!

JT
 
I just used this combo last week, Frank.

HP5 at EI 400
HC110, dilution H, 20C, 9.5 mins
4 inversions at the start, then 2 inv/min.

Here's a sample from that roll:

453304646_792c74a761_o.jpg
 
Hi Frank,

I have finally settled upon 1:49 (from concentrate) for 8 minutes at 20C, EI 320 for this combo. Agitation is constant for the first 30 seconds then two gentle inversions every minute thereafter. If the light is very flat, as it frequently is in my part of the world, an extra minute or two keeps things from looking murky. These times are for wet printing, if you're planning to scan your negatives a slight reduction may be called for.

Hope this helps,

Jim.
 
Thanks Ray and Jim.
Would you say that this combo is contrastier than average? (I'm thinking of that upswept curve this developer produces vs the s curve of most other developers.)
 
rogue_designer said:
I also use HC110 at 1:100 (rougly) with times around 3x from the dilution B times.

No promises on how that acts with HP5 tho - I haven't shot that combination in a long time.
Click to expand...

I really like HP5 @800 HC110 1:119 20C Semi Stand I have been using 23 min. There are some recent examples in my gallery if you care to look.
 
Hi again,

Yes, developing HP5+ in HC-110 does give highlights a real lift. Before trying HC-110 I was about to give up on HP5+ due to flat, lifeless results on overcast days. It is now one of my favourite films.

Jim.
 
Hey Ray and JT,

How'd you end up on 9.5 minutes? I started at 10 (twice Dilution B) and increased from there til I got a good density. It was in no way scientific though!
 
JimL said:
Hi again,

Yes, developing HP5+ in HC-110 does give highlights a real lift. Before trying HC-110 I was about to give up on HP5+ due to flat, lifeless results on overcast days. It is now one of my favourite films.

Jim.
Click to expand...

It sounds good for use with lower contrast vintage lenses.

I'll need to find out for myself if sunny days with my modern CV 35 and 50 lenses are over the top contrast-wise.
 
Frank, when Downtown Camera used to sell 'student' HP5 at a discount (no outer packaging) I shot a lot of it. Rodinal and HP5 look horrible, imo. Tried HC-110 and loved it. Mostly dilution H. Nowadays I use the 1:100 dilution. It's an excellent combo.

Gene
 
Gene and RogueD, I like the sound of higher dilutions. (even more economical) Do you know and can you explain the difference in results at higher dilutions?
 
My results have been mixed (pardon the pun). I've generally used the Dil. B/20°C/5 min with 10 sec agitation q 1 min. However, I feel I'm going to go with Dil. H next time owing to a nagging suspicion that 5 min is just too short a developing time to really get my negs "cooked" sufficiently. Things just seem a bit flat.
 
Frank - since the dillution is low, and I use long times with minimal agitation (three inversions every 4 or 5 minutes) - the HC110 at 1:100 has a pretty good compensating effect. Grain is not out of control, even in 2 stops of push, and contrast is well in check. Perfect for scanning, but might be a bit low for darkroom printing. This is useful when pushing the film, but might be less desireable when shooting at box speed, unless you are trying to control contrast for other reasons.

Mid tones are gorgeous tho. :)

As a bonus. The quantities of syrup are easier to measure. 1 roll in my tanks is 3ml syrup and 300ml water. Easy peasy.
 
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