First time with Pyrocat HD

[Barney]

Crown Graphic 4x5, 135mm Optar
HP 5+ at box developed in homemade Pyrocat HD, 1+1 for 14 minutes @ 20, Regular Ilford agitation.



Naturally formed limestone rock with fissures and Hawthorn tree bent by the wind until sheltered behind the rock.

 

[Ian Grant]

A huge difference to the 510 negatives/scans, full of detail. Personally I'd increase the contrast very slightly.

A major step change.

Ian

 

[Barney]

Yes Ian your right and its thanks to your suggestion and recommendation that I adopted it

I deliberately went to the low contrast end of the spectrum and it worked as anticipated, my intention is to up the time to 15 and then 16 until I get the right contrast, for me, with HP5+, although I did anticipate more adjacency effects.

I miss the 510 though, in using only one 100ml bottle I gained the confidence to increase temperature and reduce time, increase/reduce the development time for zone manipulation, I found it very easy to manipulate and, most importantly, consistent.

I have bought some Pyrogallol just in case I didn't find the Pyrocat HD as "adjustable".

But after the first test run, I am impressed and now sure that I will stick with it a while and get the hang of it eventually.

 

[vvanwalt]

At Ian's recommendation I recently tried 4 frames in Pyrocat HD: The pre-mixed version by Bellini. I have to admit that the results are encouraging. As a long time user of Perceptol, the pyro is certainly easier to mix and the long shelf life a bonus.

I can't say for sure that I can see a vast improvement over Perceptol and the speed loss is about the same but I'm going to persevere for a while and learn how I can get the most out of it. Next time I'll try semi-stand which I've used with success in the past using 510 pyro.

Below an example: Gandolfi Variant 1, Sinaron 180mm, FP4+, the "victim", my grand-daughter Amelie