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| Ilfords ID11 |
I
have used both these developers before and for a long time almost
exclusively when it came to processing my film. I recently exposed an
out of date roll of 35mm HP5 film. I decided to make up a new batch
of ID 11. I know how good or bad these negatives will be without
having to do a test.
The
kit: (to make up five
litres)
- Measuring jug, that will take at least Four litres of fluid.
- Thermometer.
- Mixing stick
- Five litre storage container
- Bucket if you do not have large enough measuring jug for mixing.
- Disposable gloves, Face masks if you think it is necessary.
- Ilfords ID 11, in this case.
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| The mixing kit. |
If
you are new to making up ID 11 take your time.
Remove
the two packets from the box and then tear or cut the box open. On
the inside are the instructions for making the powder into a fluid.
What follows is how I made up the developer from those instructions.
The
box of powder I have purchased will make up five litres of stock
solution enough to process fifty roll 35mm or 120 film (medium
format). Once I have all the equipment in place, I warm the measuring
jug and bucket with boiling water to stop the water loosing heat to
the containers by conduction. Then bring the water to a temperature
of 40 degrees centigrade (104 degrees F) making up 3.75 litres. Which
I transfer to the bucket ( do not forget to remove the boiling water
first) for mixing, checking to make sure that there has been no heat
loss with the thermometer. I use this method because my measuring jug
will only make up 2 litres at a time. Once the water is ready open
packet marked A and pour in the powder slowly, while you stir, making
sure that the powder does not clump together. Keep string until it is
all dissolved (Always pour the powder into the water and not the
other way round and add the powders in the right order) it will not
take very long to add the contents of packet A. Now open the packet
marked B and again add to the solution slowly stirring all the time
this will take longer to add as it is a far larger amount of powder
(make sure you do your mixing in a well ventilated room). Keep
stirring after all the powder has been added to make sure it has all
dissolved. Now stir in another 1.25 litres of water at room
temperature making it up to the full 5 litres. With the help of a
funnel I pour the developer into its storage container and allow it
to cool.
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| Adding packet A of the waterr |
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| Adding packet B of the developer |
I
usually make up my ID11 the day before. It will take an hour to cool
ten degrees depending on what material your storage container is made
of.
I
use this developer at 1+1 in most cases and as a single shot (use
once and throw away) but it can be reused as long as you adjust the
time to allow for it:
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| Pouring developer into storage container after the Final 2Litres of water have been added. |
- Two film add ten percent.
- Three film add twenty percent.
- Four film add Thirty percent.
- Five film add forty percent.
- Ten film add Ninety percent do not re-use above this amount.
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| Developer in storage container coolling down before cap is secured. |
ID11
can be used with the following film from the Ilford range and many
other makes besides: HP5+,Fp4+, Pan F+, Delta 100 Pro Delta 400 Pro,
Delta 3200 Pro, SFX 200. It can also be used at three different
dilutions: stock, 1+1 and 1+3. So the times for HP5+ exposed at 400
ISO, developed at twenty degrees C would be 7.30 minutes at stock, 13
minutes at 1+1 and 20 minutes at 1+3.
For
more film makes, developer combination and times visit digital truthsmassive Dev chart.
How
did the roll of HP5+ turn out? You will have to wait and see.
