| HP5+ (400 ISO) | Adox Adonal |
| Format: | 120 |
| Exposed at: | 400 ISO |
| Developer dilution: | 1+50 |
| Development time: | 11 minutes |
| Temperature: | 20°C |
| Agitation: | 8 inversions, then 4 inversions every minute. |
What Can Be Expected from This Development?
Since the results I obtained with Delta 400 did not satisfy me, I turned instead to HP5+, which I prefer.
However, I had no particular expectations when developing this film; I simply wanted to recover my images. I chose a 1+50 dilution to achieve greater dynamic range and retain details in the darker areas of the image while preserving highlights.
I already knew that this combination was capable of producing beautiful results during the day. But does it work just as well at night?
Fine Detail and Controlled Grain
Unsurprisingly, HP5+ at 400 ISO proves once again that it is an excellent film. Definition is strong and the grain, despite the use of Adonal diluted at 1+50, remains discreet in medium format.
You will notice the very strong sense of sharpness that emerges from this enlargement. Lines are crisp and details stand out clearly.
Beautiful Tonal Rendering
I was able to achieve satisfying results in post-processing quite easily. The negative already looks good straight out of development, which is promising for enlargements. The images feel lively, pleasing, and detailed. Overall contrast is balanced and the grayscale palette is broad.
A Dynamic Range with Its Limits Under These Conditions
Details can indeed be found in the darker parts of the image (unlike with Delta 400):
However, highlight retention becomes more difficult when trying to simultaneously recover detail from dark areas illuminated by night lighting.
In this photograph, I wanted to reveal both the cathedral tower illuminated by the half-moon and the entrance of the town hall lit by artificial lights.
As you can see, the town hall section is “blown out” and no detail remains visible. Above the entrance, one should normally be able to read “Hôtel de Ville”, but here everything is completely white.
A 1+100 development would likely have preserved more detail in the highlights.
Satisfying Results Overall
The results are good.
The grayscale palette is broad and acutance is excellent.
However, one should not expect too much from the dynamic range, otherwise strongly illuminated areas may easily become blown out.
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