HC110 Question

[bill2424]

I just headed back in the darkroom now that the weather has turned. I have quite a bit of film to process and tried to find some HC110 only to find it's not available. I did see
something that might be the same FF110. Has anyone used this developer to compare it to HC110?

[tundra]

I know this isn't a direct response to your question but, it may be helpful ...

I used HC-110 for years almost exclusively. Then I "discovered" Pyrocat-HD and D-23 and never looked back. I have some HC-110 squirreled away in brown glass bottles, but I am unwilling to bet my photographic future on Kodak keeping it together (I never thought I would say those words after 50 years of being a happy Kodak customer).

You will love Pyrocat. It has less visible grain the HC-110 and is a super flexible with dilutions and developing schemes.

[Michael R]

I just headed back in the darkroom now that the weather has turned. I have quite a bit of film to process and tried to find some HC110 only to find it's not available. I did see
something that might be the same FF110. Has anyone used this developer to compare it to HC110?

HC-110 might be coming back shortly but in the meantime my suggestion would be Ilford’s Ilfotec HC which is functionally equivalent to HC-110.

[j.e.simmons]

The company in the US that has been manufacturing Kodak Chemicals for Sino Promise has now secured a license from Kodak to make and sell chemicals. John Sexton writes about it - scroll down - https://www.johnsexton.com/

I haven't bought prepared developers in a long time and was shocked to see a bottle of Ilfotec HC is nearly $100.

[Michael R]

The company in the US that has been manufacturing Kodak Chemicals for Sino Promise has now secured a license from Kodak to make and sell chemicals. John Sexton writes about it - scroll down - https://www.johnsexton.com/

I haven't bought prepared developers in a long time and was shocked to see a bottle of Ilfotec HC is nearly $100.

That price seems outrageous. I retract my suggestion.

[Ben Calwell]

The company in the US that has been manufacturing Kodak Chemicals for Sino Promise has now secured a license from Kodak to make and sell chemicals. John Sexton writes about it - scroll down - https://www.johnsexton.com/

I haven't bought prepared developers in a long time and was shocked to see a bottle of Ilfotec HC is nearly $100.

Yes. I was in Midwest Photo recently and was surprised, as you were, to see Ilfotec priced at, I think, around $92. I have a bottle of HC110 that I purchased from Freestyle a few months back, and it should last me for a while. In my experience, it has a long shelf life. If HC110 should disappear for good, I’ll go back to mixing and using D23.

[Kevin Crisp]

Freestyle has HC-110 in stock for $44. This is the new version, which is not yellow (even though their web photo shows yellow) and it is thinner and arguably easier to mix. It has functioned for me like the old version. Don't keep it in the fridge because it will freeze well before getting down to 32F. It reportedly does not have the shelf life of the yellow syrup, which seems eternal.

All the recent discussion about D23 here caused me to try it and I've been pleased with the results.

[Fred L]

...I haven't bought prepared developers in a long time and was shocked to see a bottle of Ilfotec HC is nearly $100.
wow....wow. HC-110 was never this expensive, even up here in Canada.

[MartyJoelFrank]

I've been using the "legacy pro L-110" version of HC 110 which has worked just fine for me. It's not a savings over kodak's HC110 but its easily available eg at B&H for $17 for 16 ounces.

[tundra]

wow....wow. HC-110 was never this expensive, even up here in Canada.

Yet another argument for D-23 or Pyrocat-HD both of which are dirt cheap to make.

Moreover, they seem to last "forever". I mix my Pyrocat 500ml at a time and make Part A in glycol and store in brown class bottles with polycone caps. It lasts and lasts and lasts ... I am currently on a bottle mixed in early 2022 with absolutely no evidence of degradation. Similarly, D-23 stock stored in brown glass bottles lasts a really long time as well.

[paulbarden]

Another vote for D-23. Simple to make, ridiculously inexpensive and the 3 components are easily sourced. Not to mention that it does a great job.

[bill2424]

Thank you for all the advice. I did buy some pyro a while back but haven’t used it yet. I guess now is a good time. Any suggestions on normal development of T max 100 for a starting point? Also plus and minus would be helpful.

Thanks again

[Neal Chaves]

HC-110 might be coming back shortly but in the meantime my suggestion would be Ilford’s Ilfotec HC which is functionally equivalent to HC-110.

I second that. Ilfotec HC is a clone of the old HC110. Use the same times and dilutions you used with that on the old TXPProf 320 but now with Ilforfd HP5+ and you are good to go.

[Fred L]

Yet another argument for D-23 or Pyrocat-HD both of which are dirt cheap to make.
o evidence of degradation. Similarly, D-23 stock stored in brown glass bottles lasts a really long time as well.

PyroCat HD in glycol is my main developer now, followed by HC-110 or Rodinal (Blazinal). Super economical as well. Tempted to try MC but not quite sure what the advantages/differences are from HD.

[tundra]

Thank you for all the advice. I did buy some pyro a while back but haven’t used it yet. I guess now is a good time. Any suggestions on normal development of T max 100 for a starting point? Also plus and minus would be helpful.

Thanks again

Which "Pyro" did you buy? Times will vary by exact developer you selected.

Just remember to wear eye and skin protection when working with pyro. Nitrile gloves, not latex as latex is porous.

[bill2424]

PMK pyro from formulary

[paulbarden]

PMK pyro from formulary

PMK is very versatile. I prefer it over Pyrocat HD.

[tundra]

PMK is very versatile. I prefer it over Pyrocat HD.

I too very much like PMK, but because of its aerial oxidation rate, I cannot do high dilution, long duration, low agitation development with it.

For some things, though, PMK is great. The edge effects on clouds is something to behold.