Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/07/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I'm new to Leica photography--about 5 months now with an M2 and 35, 50, 90. I'm even newer to developing my own film but have found it to add enormously to the photography experience. Using a hand held meter and developing your own film puts a lot of pressure on you to learn about film exposure. I use HP5 Plus and started with HC-110 as the developer. I've thoroughly enjoyed the results, though I've got no other developer experience to compare it to. I've bought some pyro but haven't tried it yet because HC-110 is so convenient and the results are so consistently good. I use Dilution B for 4 min. 30 sec. at 70 degrees in Natchez, Miss. water. If I've shot the roll indoors (without flash) I develop for 5 minutes. If I've shot the roll in bright sunlight I develop for 4 minutes. The contrasts work out about right at those times and allow use of a number two filter in a very high percentage of the prints. I guess I ought to try other developers, but time isn't my long suit, and it took some time to learn HC-110 (though I think my experience would allow learning a new one quicker.) Lee England Natchez, Miss.