Kodak HC-110
A syrup-like concentrate in a single bottle that will last for years—no need to mix anything in advance.
About the Developer
HC-110 is a highly concentrated liquid developer from Kodak that is diluted either directly from the concentrate or via an intermediate solution (the concentrate is diluted 1:3 with water—this makes it easier to accurately measure out the viscous syrup). Working solutions are designated by the letters A–H: from concentrated A (1:15 from the concentrate) to very dilute F (1:79). Dilution B is used most often. Mixing can be done at 10–32°C; the solution can be a one-shot solution or a replenishable solution.
Character
A syrupy concentrate that is convenient and long-lasting. Good contrast, clean negatives, and maintains a good veil effect on old film. Flexible dilution ratios.
Best films
Kodak Tri-X, HP5+, T-Max 400, Fomapan 400, Kentmere 400, old expired film, ORWO, Svema.
How to Prepare and Use
- 1Pour the concentrate slowly to prevent air bubbles from forming; let the syrup run down the sides of the measuring cylinder before setting it aside.
- 2For accurate dosing, first dilute the concentrate with water in a 1:3 ratio—this makes it easier to measure out small amounts of the thick syrup.
- 3Dilute the stock solution or concentrate to the desired working dilution (usually B) according to the manufacturer's table for your tank volume.
- 4Develop at 20°C. Agitation in a small tank: 5–7 turns during the first 5 seconds, then 5–10 seconds every 30 seconds.
- 5Drain the developer, process the film in the stop bath, fix it, and rinse it thoroughly.
Development times for different films
| Film | Breeding | Time @ 20°C |
|---|---|---|
| Kodak Tri-X 400 | B | 3 min 45 sec |
| Kodak T-Max 400 | B | 5 min 30 sec |
Official Kodak technical specifications: small tank, agitation every 30 seconds, 20°C. When switching to a more diluted H dilution, the processing time approximately doubles; processing times shorter than 5 minutes may result in uneven development.
Pros
- One bottle of concentrate is enough for hundreds of films—it's very economical
- A huge selection of dilutions for any application, from studio to field use
- Stable solutions lose almost no activity during storage
Cons
- It is difficult to measure out small portions of a viscous concentrate accurately without an intermediate drain
- Different versions of Tri-X and older exposure charts sometimes contradict each other
- With short development times (less than 5 minutes), uneven results may occur