Microphen vs ID-11 - for pushing

[rayonline_nz]

I usually use ID-11.

Microphen is known for push processing. Ilford publishes development times for Ilford HP5+ rated at up to 1600 with ID-11. What advantages does Microphen have?


Cheers.

 

[Ozxplorer]

None! Under exposing your shots cannot ever yield the “best” negative the film is capable of... the fact one can manipulate the development process will produce a printable negative but what one needs is a process suitable for the photo opportunity being contemplated!

 

[Rudeofus]

If a film has a short&sharp toe, it fares better during ISO speed tests. This means a manufacturer can sell a comparable emulsion with higher box speed or as same box speed with finer grain, both of which is great for marketing. These new films with short&sharp toe will fare great if exposed and developed normally, but they will not see much of a speed increase with pushing. Older style films like HP5+ will benefit more from pushing, but they start off as grain monsters already compared to TMY or Delta 400. Microphen will give a film a shorter&sharper toe than D-76/ID-11, that's where the half stop speed advantage comes from. Once you push, they'll both end up in the same ballpark.

So the main point for pushing today is either gain some small speed advantage from old fashioned film, or for the aesthetic statement. If ISO speed is your paramount concern, get the most modern emulsion which meets your speed requirement and use it with no more than one stop push. If gritty high contrast look with massive black shadows is what you are after, get HP5+ and push the hell out of it with whatever concentrated developer you can throw at it.

 

[tezzasmall]

If gritty high contrast look with massive black shadows is what you are after, get HP5+ and push the hell out of it with whatever concentrated developer you can throw at it.

I've occasionally seen higher speed films developed in print developer, which give the effect you mention. It's always been something that I wanted to try, so if we get another sunny day soon before the winter sets in, I'll try to remember to give it a go!

Terry S

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

I usually use ID-11.

Microphen is known for push processing. Ilford publishes development times for Ilford HP5+ rated at up to 1600 with ID-11. What advantages does Microphen have?


Cheers.

This link may help with your choice. https://thewebdarkroom.co.uk/2019/09/

 

[pentaxuser]

Interesting link,Keith. I hadn't heard of the Mortensen method before. As Microphen is grouped in the Ilford literature on powder developers I wonder if it too can be used with the Mortensen method. Andrew Sanderson makes no mention of Microphen in his article but I am unsure what if anything this means.

While I only had a quick read of the Ilford powder developers instructions I saw no mention of a minimum quantity of ID11 to be used at 1+3. Is there one in the literature and if so what page is it on?

pentaxuser

 

[Ian Grant]

I usually use ID-11.
Microphen is known for push processing. Ilford publishes development times for Ilford HP5+ rated at up to 1600 with ID-11. What advantages does Microphen have?
Cheers.

Phenidone based PQ developers give better inherent film speed compared to Metol based MQ developers. I used to use Microphen/ID-68 regularly for push processing HP5 to 1600 EI. I switched to XP1 and the XP2 both push processed in C41 chemistry because I got far better all round results in terms of finer grain, better tonality highlights and shadows.

Ian

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

Interesting link,Keith. I hadn't heard of the Mortensen method before. As Microphen is grouped in the Ilford literature on powder developers I wonder if it too can be used with the Mortensen method. Andrew Sanderson makes no mention of Microphen in his article but I am unsure what if anything this means.

While I only had a quick read of the Ilford powder developers instructions I saw no mention of a minimum quantity of ID11 to be used at 1+3. Is there one in the literature and if so what page is it on?

pentaxuser

I expect that D-76,( ID-11), Microphen and XTol will all be suitable. Probably best to contact Andrew Sanderson to clarify about minimum quantity of stock for each film when well diluted, or the manufacturer of the developer.