Carl Weese
30-Sep-2003, 09:15
The question about film speeds brought up a number of references to the classic characteristics of Ilford HP5 Plus film.
I have observed that sheet HP5 Plus has changed, starting about a year ago, and the change is very much for the better from a Pt/Pd printer's standpoint. The "new" (Ilford has not announced any change) material has significantly reduced fb+f level. It used to come in around .18-2.0 and now sits at about .12. That's barely more fog than TXT or FP4 Plus.
The notoriously stubborn shoulder also has relented a bit and I find that I get contrast adequate for palladium prints with less development than formerly. Lower fog, higher contrast. It would be nice if manufacturers would tell us when they change things, but this time I'm delighted with the change, announced or not.---Carl
I have observed that sheet HP5 Plus has changed, starting about a year ago, and the change is very much for the better from a Pt/Pd printer's standpoint. The "new" (Ilford has not announced any change) material has significantly reduced fb+f level. It used to come in around .18-2.0 and now sits at about .12. That's barely more fog than TXT or FP4 Plus.
The notoriously stubborn shoulder also has relented a bit and I find that I get contrast adequate for palladium prints with less development than formerly. Lower fog, higher contrast. It would be nice if manufacturers would tell us when they change things, but this time I'm delighted with the change, announced or not.---Carl