FP4+ in Jobo 3010 drum with D76 1:1 processing time

[Scott Kathe]

I just did my first 4x5 FP4+, rated at 100, in a Jobo 3010 with a 5 minute pre-rinse with water (500ml) on a Beseler non reversing base. Then 9 minutes in D76 diluted 1:1 (500ml:500ml), turned the drum around every minute. Two minutes in water (500ml) to stop. Five minutes in Kodak Rapid Fix-no hardener (1 liter). Two minutes in water (500ml). Two minutes in Permawash (500ml). Two minutes in water (500ml) then into a Gravity Works film washer for 15 minutes. PhotoFlo then hung up to dry. Seemed to work well but my film speed test in tray rated FP4+ at 100 so that is how I shot the film. WAAAY to much contrast when processed in the Jobo. Time for another film speed test.

The film speed came out at 100 again and there looks to be plenty of detail in the shadows but the highlights are nearly blown out. I'm thinking about trying 7 minutes instead of 9, any thoughts?

Scott

[Skorzen]

Hi Scott,

I had similar results with a 3010 shooting TMY and souping in Rodinal. Massive dev chart said 10 min 1:50, after testing I found that 5 min was still a bit contrasty so I went to 1:100 for 8 min. That was good in the tests, but I think I may do some more testing as a few negs I shot recently didn't have the contrast I would have liked. I was printing on Slavich grade 3 as well which has a reputation for being contrasty.

So yeah I guess my suggestion would be to do some more testing, film speed should be fine but you dev times are going to change.

[Paul Ewins]

The usual manufacturer recommendation is to cut times by 15% when going from tank processing to rotary processing.

[Scott Kathe]

The usual manufacturer recommendation is to cut times by 15% when going from tank processing to rotary processing.

I was going from tray processing where times are cut 15% so that's 11 minutes, intermittent agitation, down to about 9 due to tray processing. With a presoak in the Jobo drums others have used the same time they use for tray processing-at least that's what I've found online.

Scott

[Gary Samson]

I would suggest cutting your time by 25% from the original 11 minutes. This has work well for me with a variety of developers when starting from intermittent agitation time recommendations. Constant agitation is going to build up highlight detail very quickly. Might I also suggest that you give Pyrocat HD a try with Ilford FP4+. This developer and film are a great combination. Good luck.

[Scott Kathe]

Might I also suggest that you give Pyrocat HD a try with Ilford FP4+. This developer and film are a great combination. Good luck.

Does this combination scan well? I use an Epson 4990 to make 8x10s and maybe an 11x14. I'm trying to stick with one film and one developer and I've thought more about trying HP5+ with D76 1:1 as a next step. I shoot mostly nature/landscape.

Scott

[Gary Samson]

Does this combination scan well? I use an Epson 4990 to make 8x10s and maybe an 11x14. I'm trying to stick with one film and one developer and I've thought more about trying HP5+ with D76 1:1 as a next step. I shoot mostly nature/landscape.

Scott

Scott,
Yes I have found that Ilford FP4+ negatives developed in Pyrocat do scan very well. I am using an Epson V750 scanner for my work. You will not be disappointed with this combination as long as you get the development time right for the exposure index you are using for that film.

[Scott Kathe]

After some more testing and densitometry I've come up with a time of 6 1/2 minutes with FP4+ shot at 100. I also used the View Camera Store film test kit and they suggest shooting at 80 and developing for 5 1/2 minutes.

These development times seem to be pretty short and I'd like to develop for about 8 minutes. The only way to do that would be to up my dilution of D76 past 1:1. I'm reluctant to do that since the capacity of 1 liter of D76 1:1 is only 8 sheets and the drum holds 10. If I up the dilution more that will be less than 8 sheets in the drum. Can anyone suggest a different developer with a higher capacity that develops a bit slower? That being said I'm not interested in endless testing and magic bullet chasing.

Scott

[Richard Littlewood]

Just developed a dozen sheets of FP4 in a jobo rated around 80asa, 2 min pre soak, then ID-11 at 1+2 dilution for 9.5 mins @20c. I thought the negs looked well exposed and ever so slightly rich, but very tonal.

[Scott Kathe]

The most recent images I developed I shot at 80 and developed for 5 1/2 minutes and they look pretty good. Fred at the View Camera Store wants me to try D76 1:3 so I can develop longer but as it is according to Kodak I can only do 8 sheets of 4x5 with 1 liter of D76 1:1. If I go to 1:3 I can only do 5 sheets in the 3010 with 1 liter. Damn, maybe I should go back to trays

Scott