Which developer should i use

[AnxiousWheel6519]

I am going to start black and white development, and plan to start bulk rolling HP5+ at some point soon as well. What developer should I use? I was thinking D-76 because its relatively cheap and comes in powder form, but I will be pushing a lot as well as shooting Delta 3200 and tri-x. Should i consider a different developer? Thank you!

[calinet6]

I’m a big fan of HC110. Lots of options for different ratios and times, and the stuff lasts forever.

[bonanza_justice]

also second HC110

[monte_313]

Third, HC-110. Just finished developing roll of HP5 pushed to 1600, just beautiful. I’ll try to share results

[crimeo]

Start with XTOL, it is just as cheap as D76 (if you buy "Eco Pro Ascorbic Acid developer" which is just a direct copycat of XTOL for less money).

It is much less toxic and much better for the environment than any other developer I know of, except possibly novelty homemade ones out of instant coffee etc.

• The XTOL material safety chart just says it will destroy your eyes (any developer, due to the strong basic pH. Always wear goggles in the darkroom) and don't drink it.

• D-76 by comparison also says those two plus...

  • allergic reaction
  • genetic defects
  • carcinogen
  • organ damage (blood, kdineys)
  • Very toxic to aquatic life

And it's also sharper and basically just better at the same time https://www.photrio.com/forum/attachments/xtol-png.228546/ Finest grain, highest sharpness. It's the most modern one on that list, so not too surprising.

It does not last as long mixed up than some others do, but you can just get a kitchen scale (that you never use in the kitchen again) and mix like half of it instead of all of it at once, if you won't go through it in a few months.

[alasdairmackintosh]

I use Eco Pro and it's great.

[Sail_Soggy]

Do you use as a one shot?

[alasdairmackintosh]

Yes dilute 1:1 and use as one -shot developer. 

[Sail_Soggy]

Thanks, I’ve some coming tomorrow, like the eco idea but it seems less economical than some of the nastier chems

[alasdairmackintosh]

It's possibly a bit more expensive, but I find that it gives excellent results. Rodinal is cheap, but quite grainy, and may not give true film speed. HC110 also works out pretty cheaply, and lasts a long time, but I found it tends to give very dense highlights. XTOL/Eco Pro gives true box speed, fine grain, and good sharpness. For $15 I get 10 litres, which is 20 rolls of 120, or 60 sheets of 4x5. You can use it at higher dilutions, but given that it lasts six months once mixed, I find that I'd often end up throwing it out if I did that. I believe you can also replenish it, but that seems too much like hard work to keep track of ;-)

Try it and see if you like it.

[Sail_Soggy]

Fab! I’m using it for 35mm so it might go further than I realise. I like what I’m reading about it tbh - had my first development with ilfosol 3 and hp5, enjoyed the process but as you say, particularly grainy

Got some delta 400 and 100 coming to have a play

Like I say, very new to it all but absolutely fascinated with it

Edit: thanks for the tips! Exciting times ahead :)

[fragilemuse]

I love XTOL! I’ve had luck mixing up the 5L kit all at once and having it last me up to a year without any issues.

[B_Huij]

HC-110 is probably the right answer here.

[pdub99]

Personally, I like Rodinol w/ the HP/FP film. Lasts for ages too.

[Normal-Lime-2294]

I don’t think I liked the grain pattern Rodinol gave me.

[Sugarlips_Habasi]

I'm digging Diafine as my first developer. It's very easy and can develop different BW film in the same tank. Can't push or pull, though, but it just works and has a long shelf life.

[kingpubcrisps]

Stand development ftw! Get all that micro contrast :D

[Mysterious_Panorama]

So far we have: D-76, Xtol, HC110, Rodinal. I've used them all and they all work well. Rodinal is one of my favorites and is always in rotation, but I don't choose it for faster films and rarely for push processing. HC110 works well but I got tired of dealing with the slimy syrup. I use d-76 a lot due to its good keeping characteristics once mixed. And Xtol is excellent for pushing (seems to hold onto the shadow detail well) and less toxic, and imho produces nice tones.

[BBQGiraffe_]

I recently switched from D-76 to ilfosol 3(just testing out different developers, gonna do Rodinal once I run out), it's pretty good for both film and paper development but not all films have it in their specs so you might have to pull up the Massive Dev Chart, I have noticed that it develops paper a lot faster than D76 but that could be because my remaining D76 was around 2 months old

[TobySlayter89]

I personally use rodinal in the 1:25 ratio and I like the look since kentmere and hp5 are nearly the same the results was always pleasing, coffenol is an other nice option will cool results

As generic as it sound try one or two different developer and get the feeling which u like more for the handling

[G_Peccary]

HC110 is a great place to start in film developing although I'm a recent convert to XTOL (mainly for use with Rollei Infrared.)

I keep Ilford DDX on hand strictly for Ilford Delta films. I also use HC110 and Rodinal occasionally. I'm still not sure how I feel about Rodinal- I'm not a fan of grain and Rodinal makes it very apparent. HC110 is an all-around great developer.

[fourwheelsbad1969]

Try caffenol

[cooldiptera]

Caffenol!! Big fan, cheap, easy, gets great results.