FP4+ Slides!

This may not seem like much, but, well, I seem to have cracked it at the first attempt, following quite a bit of research online. B&W slides from FP4, using a DIY set of chemistry.

 

I exposed 2 sequences of zones 1-10 at both ISO 64 and ISO 125 - Leica MP with 35 Summilux. Subject is grey t-shirt.

 

Both sequences are pretty close, but ISO 64 probably better. Exposure latitude looks to be solid for about zone 3 to zone 8.

 

This is the zone 6 frame from the ISO 125 sequence.

 

Using Ilford Multigrade Developer, and DIY bleach based on 3% hydrogen peroxide.

 

Ingredients:

FD: 500ml Ilford Multigrade 1+5, no hypo, 12mins 20ºC, invert as usual for B&W developer.

Second Dev: 500ml Ilford Multigrade 1+9

Bleach: about 250ml, on roller base (otherwise gas release will blow off the lid!): (made up from the following: 3% Hydrogen peroxide 300ml, 15.7g EDTA-4Na with 5.7g sodium bicarbonate, 11g Citric acid crystals. Mix in order: will fizz wildly!

Clearing Bath: 500ml water, 12.5g sodium sulphite

 

STAGE 1 Timings

FD: 12mins 20ºC

First Wash: Ilford wash method

Bleach: 20ºC 9mins

Clearing Bath: 2mins, continuous agitation

Second Wash: Ilford wash method

 

Re-exposure: 60secs about 45cm with 100watt bulb;

 

STAGE 2 Timings

Second Dev: 6mins 20ºC

Third Wash: Ilford wash method

Fix: 500ml Ilford Rapid Fixer 5mins

Final Wash : Ilford wash method but another wash step at the end added

Final rinse in Ilfotol, 1 min.

Done