Hi. Is it possible to develop film (HP5 or Delta 400) by using print developers like Ilfospeed. If anybody tried something like this, I will be helpful for information about developing time and dilution for this kind of developers, and what result I could expect if develop film on that way. Thanx in advance.

-- Zeljko Panic (zeljko.panic@inet.hr), July 04, 2001

Answers

It's possible - if you want high contrast and grain the size of golf balls. There used to be a vogue for 'universal' developers at one time, that would do for both film and paper. I used them for a while when I knew no better (I was about 13). It saved a bit of pocket money, but did nothing for the quality of my pictures.

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), July 05, 2001.

I have heard of people using Dektol to develop Tri-X film for a very grainy effect. I could look up the old article if you are interested.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edb@unblinkingeye.com), July 06, 2001.

Not really what you want, but could be interesting:

A few weeks ago, I found an article about developing T-MAX with a paper developer. The technique described is supposedly used by the lab processing Helmut Newtons T-Max rolls.

http://www.leicagallery.com/techniqueweeklytip.htm

I didn't try it...

-- Xavier Colmant (xcolmant@powerir.com), July 09, 2001.

Thanx to all for you responding on my post. I already get relevant information and even tried some developing. Grainy effect (tahat is what I want) is very obvious but interesting. I used dilution of ILFOSPEED 60:1 and developing time 10 minutes for HP5. Result was very sharp and grainy negativ but I still got details in shadow area.

-- Zeljko Panic (zeljko.panic@inet.hr), July 09, 2001.