Uh oh, another HP5 in Rodinal question...

[Creagerj]

Hello all,
I'm trying to figure out a good method for developing HP5 in Rodinal. I have read that the developer works best with HP5 at high dilution (1:100) and long development time (30 minutes plus). My question is, were can I find a chart that will tell me the development time for HP5 at high dilution? I have a roll of film that I shot at 800 and would like to develop at 1:100. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[sojournerphoto]

I would advise against it. I really don't like HP5 in Rodinal. At iso800 and 1:100 I expect you have huge and flabby grain based on my experiments. Just buy some Xtol and do it in that at 1+1 for Kodak's (or Ilfords) suggested time for 800 iso. Then it's beautiful.

Mike

 

[Creagerj]

Or would I be better off making up a quart of D-76 I have and going at 1:1. To add, my preference is HC-110, but the shop I went to didn't have it so I got Rodinal, not really thinking about it.

 

[sojournerphoto]

D76 would probably be fine also - I tend to use xtol, but they're supposed to be similar.

here's an example of HP5 at 800 in xtol

MIke

 

[semilog]

Not sure about your specific combination, but here are some starting points.

 

[Creagerj]

Thanks, I had forgotten about digital truth. Well, I guess my main question has been answered. Does anyone have a recommendation for which dilution combo is best at 800 with Rodinal? For D-76?

 

[John Elder]

Don't use Rodinal to push Hp5+ to ei800. I developed Hp5+ in Rodinal for a decade with great results. However, the correct film speed for Hp5+ developed in Rodinal 1:50 is EI200. Never try to push develop any film using Rodinal since it is a compensating developer which results in true film speed of at least 1 stop less than the box speed. My tests were performed with a transmission densitomiter.

 

[Creagerj]

Hmm....tough call. I might try it anyway. So far I have read that 800 in 1:25 isn't bad.

 

[rodinal]

Never got good results with HP5+ and Rodinal. However, HC-110 is a great developer for this film. If you don't find it, Ilfotec HC is known to be the same stuff.

 

[Creagerj]

Never got good results with HP5+ and Rodinal. However, HC-110 is a great developer for this film. If you don't find it, Ilfotec HC is known to be the same stuff.

Dang, I think the shop even had Ilfotec HC. I think maybe I'll try to exchange it tomorrow. In the mean time I think I'll just use D-76 on the rolls that I have.

 

[back alley]

why is this thread in the leica m section ?

 

[KenD]

I love rodinal - but in my experience it needs to be dialed in for your film/ exposure/ agitation technique/ karma. When it is off it can produce muddy awful-grain results. When it is bang-on the results are magical.

I would suggest shooting some test rolls before souping your already shot roll. I have found 1:50 has worked well for me with APX400, Tri-X, and Pan-F.

 

[Bob Michaels]

<snip> the correct film speed for Hp5+ developed in Rodinal 1:50 is EI200. Never try to push develop any film using Rodinal since it is a compensating developer which results in true film speed of at least 1 stop less than the box speed. My tests were performed with a transmission densitomiter.

My long term experience matches John's. All iso 400 films that I have used seemed to be best shot around 200-250 when developed in Rodinal 1:50. And you have to back off the development time about 10-20%.

I find that exposure at 400 requires a development time that gives grain that pushed look. At least the contrast stays in control. But shot at 200-250 Rodinal really works well.

I have continued to alternate from Rodinal to HC110 from one project to another (3-9 months). Still cannot decide on using one or the other exclusively.

 

[-doomed-]

I don't personally like HP5 in rodinal. Rodinal is great on slow films ,fast films gets really grainy. I like HP5 in microphen or D-76 1+1.
Here is HP5 in Microphen shot at box speed. Granted the scanner brings out the grain a bit more , the print is fantastic.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Rodinal and iso 400 film (Neopan 400 for me, but they all work the same) is a great help in hard lighting conditions. This was shot around 2 PM on a clear February day. No clouds, no haze, just hard direct sun. This was just a reflective meter reading at ie 250.

Grain in an 10x12 print is not objectionable at all.

 

[Freakscene]

Bob, that shot is awesome. For several reasons.

Marty

 

[Creagerj]

why is this thread in the leica m section ?

I was sleep deprived when I started the thread, and I just posted on autopilot. Sorry about that.

 

[Creagerj]

Rodinal and iso 400 film (Neopan 400 for me, but they all work the same) is a great help in hard lighting conditions. This was shot around 2 PM on a clear February day. No clouds, no haze, just hard direct sun. This was just a reflective meter reading at ie 250.

Grain in an 10x12 print is not objectionable at all.

Although I really like the shot, I hate the grain. I like grain, but that's just not the grain structure I'm accustomed to. I'll be staying away from Rodinal. I prefer HC-110 much more.

 

[EliasK]

I had good results for my taste with HP5 and Rodinal stand development. Rodinal doesn't like agitation under all kinds of development.

 

[xwhatsit]

Don't use Rodinal to push Hp5+ to ei800. I developed Hp5+ in Rodinal for a decade with great results. However, the correct film speed for Hp5+ developed in Rodinal 1:50 is EI200. Never try to push develop any film using Rodinal since it is a compensating developer which results in true film speed of at least 1 stop less than the box speed. My tests were performed with a transmission densitomiter.

I'm new at all of this, but I thought a compensating developer was good for pushing (e.g. Microphen et al) -- stopping the highlights from blowing out too far when developing for extended periods in order to bring up shadow detail?

I get that Rodinal would have a compensating effect at high dilutions and little agitation, but is it normally considered a compensating developer?

Cheers.