8x10 FP4 in Jobo 3005 with what developer?

[Jordan.K]

So I decided to try FP4 because of reading that it somewhat resembled TXP. I've now used up an entire box and have yet to process any of it. I'll be using a Jobo 3005 and would like to know which developer to use in regards to capacities and extended development times (9 minutes or more). I rated the film at box speed (125). Are there any of the Ilford developers that you guys think would work well? Thanks in advance.

[garysamson]

Since you have already exposed the film at an EI of 125 I would suggest a developer like Kodak Xtol which will maximize shadow detail.

[JLP]

Crawley's FX-37 is the only developer i know of that will give FP4+ box speed. FX-37 was not developed for traditional grain film but for T-Max and Delta type film. It will however work well with FP4+ and for 8x10 sheet film grain is not an issue unless you print very large.
I rate FP4+ at 64 Iso. It does have some similarities to TXP320 just two stops slower.

[ic-racer]

T-max developer works well for me for 20 years in a Jobo at 24 degrees C. I use the T-max developer for my 8x10 HP5 and FP4 in both 3005 and 2800 drums. My times are around 4.5min to 5.0 min for the HP5 and 7 min for the FP4.

I've now used up an entire box and have yet to process any of it.

How did you know to rate it at 125? What I have done with 'new-to-me' 8x10 film is to chop a piece into smaller pieces (like four 4x5s or 35mm strips) and use those to get the EI before shooting the rest.

[BradS]

There is a wealth of excellent and relevant information available at the Ilford website. Check out the FP4+ data sheet.

My personal preference would be toward D-76/ ID-11 or XTOL
Accufine might be another good choice but, not if you've already shot the film and rated it at ASA125 (again see the data shet)
if you were to mix your own, I'd say go with ID-68 (Microphen may be a close substitute).

[L Gebhardt]

Shot at box speed I would lean towards XTOL. You will need at least 500ml of developer if you use all five tubes. If you go 1+1 you will need a full liter, so make sure you have an updated motor on your Jobo.

Time wise I would start with 7 minutes at 68F in XTOL 1+1.

You will get slightly higher speed in the dilute developer, which is why I would lean towards 1+1. Smaller grain can be had at full strength, but it's not needed for sheet film.