Tri-X and HC-110 - happy bedfellows?

[andybarton]

I have just picked up some HC-110 developer, not being able to buy my usual brand (DD-X) at Calumet. Beggars can't be choosers, and all that.

Any advice re which dilution to go for? It does seem to give very short development times at Dilution B, which means that my usual technique of exposing at 320 and developing for 30 seconds less than it recommends on the tin might not be such a good idea.

Better to use a more dilute mix and develop for longer?

TIA

[ChadHahn]

Off the top of my head I use dilution B and develop at 5 minutes at 68* F. I'm not 100% sure about the temp.

The negative look great.

There are lots of website devoted to HC-110 and you should be able to find some advice.

Chad

[rmhodnett]

Andy, try this site:

HC-110

May be of some use to you.

Best regards,

Rob

[andym911]

andy
Dilution b 3 mins 30 sec at 20 degrees C exposed at 320 works good for me.

good luck
andy

[Kent10D]

Development times less that 5 minutes can be a bit iffy.

I've done quite a bit of Tri-X and HP5+ in HC-110 at dilution "H", just doubling the times listed for dilution "B". The results have been pretty good, and the extra latitude for timing errors is much appreciated.

Worth a try.

[andybarton]

Thanks to all

:-)

[john_s]

HC-110 and Tri-X are a marvellous combination. But you won't get as much film speed as you would with DD-X (given development to the same contrast, of course). For what it's worth, I used Tri-X at EI=200 when developing in HC-110, but I do like shadow detail. My dev time would be a bit out of date because Tri-X has been slightly updated since then.

[batmobile]

DDX generally gives box speed easily, if not more. If you are used to rating it at 320 in DDX (I rate it at 400 in Xtol whihc gives comparable speed), I would recommend rating it at no more than 250.

[mr_phillip]

Try this resource for info on HC-110. It's a really good general purpose developer and gives a great puchy negative when used with Tri-X (hey, Ansel Adams liked it so it can't be all bad).

Be aware though that the general consensus is that Kodak's published time for Tri-X in HC-110 is seriously wrong. The printed time (dilution B for 3.75 minutes at 20°C) is way too short - it's generally accepted that this is actually the time for dilution A!

A much better starting point is 6-7 minutes in dilution B (I like 6.5 myself). These times assume exposure at box speed and normal 'Ilford style' agitation in a hand held tank. For ratings under the box speed, lose about 10% of the dev time for every third of a stop - so if I shot a roll at 320asa I'd be developing for about 5.75 minutes.