Best developer for HP5 at 800/1600

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Ben
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I'm going away for a week next month so as its getting darker I've stocked up on HP5 in 35mm and 120. I'm planning on pushing it to 800, maybe 1600 if needs be. As I only really use FP4 and other slow films at the moment the only developer I have is Rodinal, I dont like HP5 in Rodinal. I've done some reading and seen that Microphen could be a good choice if I'm pushing it. I'm not a massive fan of grain (the reason I dont like Rodinal).
The other I've seen is DDX. I would only have to buy one bottle of that to develop all the film but from what Ive seen Microphen seems to be the better choice, even if I would need a few packs.
 
Microphen is a nice dev - each pack well do ten rolls and a dirt cheap as developers go. I've not done a huge amount of pushing, but this would be my choice.
 
I've used DD-X at both those speeds and been very happy with the results. A couple of examples:

1
Olympus OM-2n
F.Zuiko 50mm f/1.8
Ilford HP5+ (@800)
Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 10mins @ 20°


Passing The Hub
by fishyfish_arcade, on Flickr

2
Nikon F80
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 OS HSM
Ilford HP5+ (@1600)
Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 13mins @ 20°


Harbinger of autumn
by fishyfish_arcade, on Flickr

One thing to consider is the range of shutter speeds on your camera. My Nikon F80 goes up to 1/4000sec, so even pushing to 1600asa on a sunny day, I can still shoot in daylight. Late last year though I pushed a roll of HP5+ to 800asa on what I thought was going to be a heavily overcast day, but which then turned out bright. As I was using my OM-1 on that occasion, tha maximum shutter speed was 1/1000sec and it meant that some shots were impossible to get without overexposing, even stopped down to f/22.
 
Last edited:
Lol, I'm going to suggest HC-110.

I pretty much spent last year using Rodinal and am spending this year with HC-110 by way of comparison and very much prefer the results with HP5. Like you, I really didn't like what Rodinal did to it, and as I pushed it got worse.

Developer aside, if you're not a massive fan of grain, pushing HP5 to 800/1600 is not a great idea at 35mm. Esp 1600.

Example of HP5+, 120 @ 1600 with the 645n. Almost looks like 400 speed.
2019-09-28-hp5-1600-P645-13.jpg

But at 800 in 35mm (EOS30)
2020-07-24-HP5PLUS-eos30-03.jpg
The whites look a bit muddy with grain (bottom left corner shows it best at this size)
Still, this is better than my expectation at 800, and better than the Rodinal...

This was taken last year @800 in Rodinal. The grain is clearly visible, and not pleasing to me compared to the shot above.
Canon-AE1-HP5-06.jpg
 
Lol, I'm going to suggest HC-110.

I pretty much spent last year using Rodinal and am spending this year with HC-110 by way of comparison and very much prefer the results with HP5. Like you, I really didn't like what Rodinal did to it, and as I pushed it got worse.

Developer aside, if you're not a massive fan of grain, pushing HP5 to 800/1600 is not a great idea at 35mm. Esp 1600.

Example of HP5+, 120 @ 1600 with the 645n. Almost looks like 400 speed.
View attachment 292716

But at 800 in 35mm (EOS30)
View attachment 292717
The whites look a bit muddy with grain (bottom left corner shows it best at this size)
Still, this is better than my expectation at 800, and better than the Rodinal...

This was taken last year @800 in Rodinal. The grain is clearly visible, and not pleasing to me compared to the shot above.
View attachment 292718
No I know its not amazing for grain in 35mm but I tolerate it in 35mm, I just want to minimise it as much as possible. I tend to use 35mm for when I want to take a photo of something but I either wont print or wont print big, for everything else I use 120.
Im not surprised I like the HC110. Ilfotec HC used to the be only developer I used which I think is basically HC110. The only downside is it costs £30 and I'm not sure I'll be using HP5 that much FP4 in 120 at 200 in Rodinal is my go to at the moment.
 
Microphen is a nice dev - each pack well do ten rolls and a dirt cheap as developers go. I've not done a huge amount of pushing, but this would be my choice.
That is what I was thinking. I would need 3 packs to do all the HP5 I've bought but should still only cost £18
 
I've used DD-X at both those speeds and been very happy with the results. A couple of examples:

1
Olympus OM-2n
F.Zuiko 50mm f/1.8
Ilford HP5+ (@800)
Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 10mins @ 20°


Passing The Hub
by fishyfish_arcade, on Flickr

2
Nikon F80
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 OS HSM
Ilford HP5+ (@1600)
Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 13mins @ 20°


Harbinger of autumn
by fishyfish_arcade, on Flickr

One thing to consider is the range of shutter speeds on your camera. My Nikon F80 goes up to 1/4000sec, so even pushing to 1600asa on a sunny day, I can still shoot in daylight. Late last year though I pushed a roll of HP5+ to 800asa on what I thought was going to be a heavily overcast day, but which then turned out bright. As I was using my OM-1 on that occasion, tha maximum shutter speed was 1/1000sec and it meant that some shots were impossible to get without overexposing, even stopped down to f/22.

They look good too! So hard to decide! I'm thinking that DDX might be the way to go if I'm going to be using HP5 during the winter, I'll get 5 litres for £20 vs 3 for the same price of Microphen. Its hard to find comprisons online sadly.

Yes I'm going to play it by ear when I get there. I was thinking it will be probably be 800 over 1600. Id rather keep it all the same so its one tank for all 3 rolls. I just have a canon 7 so 1/1000 is my max shutter
 
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