What is best developer for FP4, HP5 & TRI-X?

Hello there.

 

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I was just going to run out and get some D-76 but I've heard some mixed reviews for FP4 and HP5. How is something like XTOL? or another? Please let me know what you've had good luck with.

Thanks

Gabe

There really is no 'best' developer for theser films, or any other. I've found the differences between popular general purpose developers to be very subtle, at least for 'normal' photography, not pushing to higher film speed.

 

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FWIW, Ilford has a table in their film data sheets that recomends a developers based on if you're trying to get best overall quality, finest grain, sharpest image, maximum film speed, cheapest developing, and so on. It's too much to type in here, but start at www.ilford.com and search on down for film product information, and you'll find a PDF file of film data which contains this table.

 

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Also FWIW, I use Xtol 1:3 to develop HP5+ in 35mm, 120, and 4x5 formats. It works well for me esposing at ei 200. 18 minutes in small tanks, 12.25 minutes for 4x5 sheets in spinning tubes. The smallest quantity of solution I ever use is 450ml at working strength.

according to what I've heard or read D76 is the same stuff as Ilford ID-11. The good thing about the Ilford soup is that it's cheaper. I tried it out and it works a treat, i.e. it'tolerates my clumsiness.

Actually, there is a Best Developer for the films you listed. As long as you are not trying to 'push' it above its real speed. The real speed is 0.1 (density units) above (the inherent) base + fog. The true speeds for your films, according to my tests are: FP-4+, 64; HP-5+, 200; Tri-X (not 'Pro')260. The BEST developer is PMK (Pyro-Metol-Kodalk.) This is Gordon Hutchings' formula and is published both in his 'Book of Pyro' and the indespensible 'Darkroom Cookbook' by Steven Anchell. PMK is available from Photographers Formulary (http://www.montana.com/formulary/) Some larger camera stores stock the kit also. If you have even a basic knowledge of chemistry, you can mix it yourself form stock chemicals available at any chemical supply house. Try it and you'll never use D-76 again!