Ilford FP4+ users: what ISO?

[Harley Goldman]

I am curious what you rate this film at for general use and normal development. I have done a bit of research and I have seen it range from 50 to 400.

[Drew Wiley]

I have always used 50, both with ordinary developers and pyro. This seems to kick the
film off the toe onto the straight-line section while still leaving plenty of room at the
other end of the curve.

[BrianShaw]

Believe it or not... 125.

[eddie]

Believe it or not... 125.

yup

[Derek Kennedy]

yup

Me three! (125)

[John Bowen]

Harley,

The variables that impact an individual's film speed rating include, but are certainly not limited to:

Shutter speed (Is your shutter accurate?)
Exposure Meter (is your meter accurate/linear?)
Lens flare
Temperature of developer
contaminates in your H2O (like iron)

The only way to really know what YOUR speed for FP4+ is, is with a film speed test.

Bruce Barlow's CD Book "Finely Focused" outlines the tests and provides the tools so you won't need a densitometer to determine your personal film speed.

www.circleofthesunproductions.com

My personal film speed for FP4+ is 365,438 but then my shutter speed for 1/15 is actually something like 5 minutes :-) :-) :-) I wouldn't suggest anyone use my film speed!

[Michael Alpert]

In 5x7, I usually rate it at 60. This way I never miss shadow detail; and I still have room to rate it at a slightly higher speed, if needed.

I switch to HP-5 (rated at 240 or 320) when a faster film is called for.

[Kevin Crisp]

125 from testing.

[Lenny Eiger]

That someone tested it at 125 or anything else for their purposes is entirely meaningless. I also tested it and use the film at 80. Altho' I chose Delta lately instead - for my needs.

Here's how you know. You look at the film and see how much detail you have in the shadows. Then you decide if that's plenty or you need a little more. I like a bit more than the manufacturers' usually come up with. that's why my number is lower. Looking at your images on your site you let things go to black much more than I would so I think you might be just fine at the 125.

If it makes the kind of print you want, then its right.

Lenny

[phil sweeney]

50 for ABC pyro, 100 for pyrocat HD, 80 HC110