pulling hp5 to iso 250

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Yesterday I managed to take a couple of rolls of Hp5, pulling it to 250, at a fashion show held on Buchanan St in Glasgow. What is the best way to develop these to get a good neg (i.e. hopefully little grain at a 10x8 print using all of the neg that will fit on the paper). Incidentally the lighting was flat. Will ID11 diluted to th 1:3 concentration, but developed for the 1:1 time produce suitable negs? or do I resort to Perceptol using ilfords times?

-- David Kirk (david_j_kirk@hotmail.com), September 23, 2001

Answers

I would use ID-11 stock or 1+1 and cut the development time.

If the lighting is flat, it might have been a better option to expose PX or perhaps FP4+ at EI 250 and extend development a bit. In my experience PX is modestly rated (if processed in ID-11) and can be pushed 1 stop quite well.

-- Ryuji Suzuki (rsuzuki@rs.cncdsl.com), September 23, 2001.


Using a 1:3 dilution at the time for a 1:1 dilution is much too great of a reduction in development. My approach, esp. as you say the lighting was flat, would be to make either no adjustment to the development time or a small reduction. ID11 at 1:1 is a good choice. It would be better to start with your normal times for HP5 rather than the manufacturer's, because your agitation, thermometer and type of enlarger light source will make a difference. If these pictures are important to you, it would be a good idea to develop a test roll.

-- Michael Briggs (MichaelBriggs@Earthlink.net), September 23, 2001.

I used to use the old HP5 at an EI of 200. It worked very well in Perceptol. I used it one part water one part Perceptol for about 10%( I think!! 16 min;s at 20deg C) more than the published times. The same should hold true for HP5 Plus. The combination worked very well for flash photos taken at fashion shows.

-- Melvin (bramley@nanaimo.ark.com), September 24, 2001.

Thanks everyone for your help I will try this out when I get a chance to dev the films.

-- David Kirk (david_j_kirk@hotmail.com), September 24, 2001.

You say the lighting was flat, so don't reduce development time. EI 250 is only 2/3 stop, well within the lattitude of the film, variation in exposure meters, shutters, etc. 250 is the normal EI for some people. Develop as you normally do.

-- Tim Brown (brownt@flash.net), September 24, 2001.


I agree completely with Tim's suggestion. You'll get just about a perfect negative (in slightly flat light) if you just develop it as you normally would for a typical rating of 320-400, with slightly more than normal contrast and excellent shadow detail. In fact, you might find this so pleasing you'll rate it at 250 all the time!

-- Ted Kaufman (writercrmp@aol.com), September 26, 2001.

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