FP4+ at 64 Rodinal Times?

Your problem lies in trusting the massive development chart. It is full of developing times that suit other people's working processes.

So, is your shadow detail good? Yes? If so, continue shooting at 64 if you like the results.

Too much contrast? You must reduce developing time. Others here (folks whose opinion I'd trust) have posted 12-15 minutes at 68-70 degrees F. Somewhere in that range is a good starting point. After you reach a good baseline, adjust as necessary.

Keep in mind that the light you're shooting in determines everything. If you're shooting in high contrast lighting, shooting at 64 is probably appropriate. If the contrast is low, however, shooting at 64 will give you a muddy mess of mid-tones only, and extremely dense highlights. That's when you want to shoot at a higher EI. Obviously, when you do, developing time must change with it.

Have fun, and remember that it's up to you to figure out how you can alter the results to where you like them.

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Originally Posted by henry finley

Any special reason for using Rodinal? Personally I thought it was grainy as heck when I tried it.

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It depends on how you use it. With proper technique in exposing film and processing it, Rodinal doesn't have to be any more grainy than HC-110 or D76.

And, there is so much more to a film developer (and how you use it) than grain. Many people love it for the tonality that's possible with it. Others love the beautiful grain it yields, which is sort of 'organic' looking. Many love the ease of use and storage possibilities with it literally lasting for decades in the bottle, even opened. Etc ad nauseum.

+1 on everything Thomas just said.
Also, remember that agitation methods and frequency have everything to do with contrast in developing film. As suggested, take off 10% - 20% off of your own time and, using your own technique, work your way down to the right time. If you are getting good even development with 120 film and Rodinal, I would keep the agitation scheme the same.
You could even blow a whole roll on one shot, cut the film in half, and try two times (new developer each time). Even if not perfect, you should be able to interpolate.

+1 on everything Thomas and George just said! Can't go wrong following that advice.

I may recommend to test the film atlesat.

I just developed 120 FP-4 at 80. Developed in Rodinal, 1:50, 20c, 16m. Metal 4 reel tank with the film and one spacer reel. 4 inv first 30 sec. 2 inv each min. 8 of the 16 cycles I invert the tank once at 30s. Negatives look nice but have a touch too much contrast for a condenser enlarger. May work on a diffused light source. The Jan light conditions in central OK were light open shadows. G3.

On the print I wish the shadows were more open and there were more mid tones. Image included aged cedar patio wood and store front window with white lettering on the window. Wood printed too dark as I tried to hold highlight detail at the right tonality. I get more consistent results with D76. But when a Rodinal neg is right, it looks great.

I just got in the habit of half my film speed. It worked for a long time but now I want to take even more control. So, I will try 80 as well. I just now figure out that I had been overdeveloping. Some of negatives are very dense and are very difficult to print.

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Originally Posted by Darkroom317

I just got in the habit of half my film speed. It worked for a long time but now I want to take even more control. So, I will try 80 as well. I just now figure out that I had been overdeveloping. Some of negatives are very dense and are very difficult to print.

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Define difficult.

I might add I was printing on Galerie G3 with PQ 1:10 developer. You can adjust contrast by diluting Rodinal and agitation. Adding variables makes it more difficult to nail the negative contrast. In general, Rodinal will change the tonal balance vs film developed in D-76. Expect shadows and the zone IV to V mid tones to be darker. On the other hand highlights like bright skies will easily print. Under a grain focuser, Rodinal negatives have sharp grain on MF. But 120 film developed in XTOL 1:2 is also sharp without coarseness. XTOL 120 negs printed at a factor of 5x are sharp and print with clarity.

The image chriscrawford posted has a typical Rodinal look, strong contrast. Note, Rodinal is agitation sensitive. Ilford data guide says to use 16m with Rodinal 1:50. I think this is too strong a ratio.

Last year I was experimenting and had these time values with FP-4 and a 1:75 ratio. I think the negatives needed to be developed to about 2/3 grade harder to best print on a condenser.

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I'm using the guidelines in the following article and adjusting from recommended starting points.

I only use roll film with Rodinal.

My best negatives which still need tweaks have been with FP4, EI 64, Rodinal 1:75, 11 min, 20c, light conditions winter Oklahoma sun, (4) to (5) inversions the first 20 seconds. (4) gentle inversions each 60s. My developing tank is steel with a (4) or (5) 120 capacity. I load (1) 120 reel and use a 35mm reel for as a spacer. One inversion provides complete mixing of the solution. If I had a smaller tank my agitation would be more frequent to achieve the same results.

My Rodinal is at least 4/5 years old and recently turned a darker honey from light honey tint.

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I'm not a Rodinal expert, just a casual user. There was a thread last year named; Making The Most of Rodinal. Link takes time to load.

http://forum.mflenses.com/1979-pop-p...le-t37502.html

Here is an old Agfa development sheet. You will find the time, temperature and agitation proposed by Agfa. Hope it helps !