FP4+ and Acros100 in Pyrocat HD - Glycol

[LuisR]

I am posting this to determine if other members of the forum can corraborate my observation as described below concerning developing FP4+ and Acros100 in Pyrocat HD - Glycol or if there is something wrong with my processing. Development procedure is identical for both films with the exception of the development time:

1-Develop for the requisite time in Pyrocat HD - Glycol at 68 degrees. Disposed developer has light yellow tint when used with FP4+ and a light blue color when used with Acros100.
2-Two water rinses 30 seconds apart.
3-Fixing in TF-4 for 5 minutes
4-Washing film for 20 minutes in running water

FP4+: Exhibits light brown staining, very tight grain (upon scanning), edges between tones appear sharply deliniated.

Acros100: No staining observed, grain, edges, and overall appearance is generally indistinguishable with same film developed in Rodinal.

Based on these observations and the results from scanning both films, I wonder if there are any benefits in developing Acros100 with Pyro HD. For that matter, since FP4+ in 4x5 is half the cost of Acros100, its starting to make sense to use FP4+ exclusively.

Can anyone corraborate these observations?

On another note, does anyone have an idea why Ilford PanF is not made in 4x5? Its a real shame its not available in 4x5 because it has incredible fine grain in medium format, and would make a 4x5 photo rival an 8x10.

[jp]

Acros 100 will have better reciprocity for long exposures. It has (I think) a slightly different spectral response. Acros will have finer grain because it's not a traditional grain film. I have a hard time visually judging acros negatives compared to other film for some reason.

That said, I like fp4+ and pyrocat-hd just fine and think it's a great combination for that speed. You are not making a mistake to like this and use it much. I like tmy2+pyrocat-hd better for it's finer grain and other miraculous qualities, but it's sometimes too fast for normal summer daylight use.

[Andrew O'Neill]

I don't see a slight yellow tint in the disposed developer after developing FP4+. What dilution are you using for Acros? Perhaps you could try doubling up on A and B solutions to get more stain. That is what I have been doing for years with HP5+.

[tgtaylor]

Just this past Sunday I developed my first 120 roll of Acros in Pyrocat-HD 1:1:100, 70F for 12 minutes by inversion in a Jobo 1500 tank. Absently minded I poured in the hypo clear (homemade with sodium sulfite) instead of the fix but I caught that right away and gave the roll a good washing and then fixed for 5 minutes with TF5 and then 2 minutes in HC followed by 5 minute wash. (I haven't made that mistake in years!). The negatives came out well developed but no stain.

[Kirk Gittings]

hmmmm I get a light chocolate stain on Acros with PC HD in Glycol.

[Larry Gebhardt]

I think Acros develops image forming stain in Pyrocat, but since it has very low base fog on a very thin and clear base you see no stain in the clear areas. This makes my Acros negs look much less stained than the FP4 or TXTP negs. I think the real issue is that the FP4 has too much stain that only raises the base density. Not really an issue in printing, but it does make the exposures longer.

[LuisR]

[QUOTE=What dilution are you using for Acros?[/QUOTE]

The dilution I use with Pyrocat HD is 1+1+100 for both films. My issue is not with FP4+ but rather with Acros100.

[LuisR]

I think Acros develops image forming stain in Pyrocat, but since it has very low base fog on a very thin and clear base you see no stain in the clear areas. This makes my Acros negs look much less stained than the FP4 or TXTP negs. I think the real issue is that the FP4 has too much stain that only raises the base density. Not really an issue in printing, but it does make the exposures longer.

From what it appears to me Pyrocat HD is not forming fog on the FP4+ negs, film is very clear where there is no exposure.

[LuisR]

Does one film give you better final prints than the other?

Subjectively, I am preferring FP4+ for 4x5. However Acros100 is really good in medium format, 6x7 and 6x9. On the other hand, PanF is stunning in both of those medium formats. This is the reason for my inquiry into why its not available in 4x5, because the results would be mindblowing.

[sanking]

Subjectively, I am preferring FP4+ for 4x5. However Acros100 is really good in medium format, 6x7 and 6x9. On the other hand, PanF is stunning in both of those medium formats. This is the reason for my inquiry into why its not available in 4x5, because the results would be mindblowing.

Acros is my favorite film for medium format and I develop all of it Pyrocat-HD. The stain may seem neutral in color but if it is still quite strong if measured with a UV denstitometer, assuming normal exposure and development. The outstanding advantage of Acros over FP4 is its great resistance to reciprocity failure. I have found in many cases that because of this feature effective exposures are often shorter with Acros in low lighting conditions than with traditional films like FP4 and HP5 where considerable adjustments have to be made to account for reciprocity. When developed in Pyrocat-HF Acros has extremely fine grain and outstanding acutance.

Sandy