Kodak HC-110 & Ilford HC

Russell W. Barnes · 05-15-2019, 10:48 AM

Anyone care to comment on whether Ilford HC is to Kodak HC-110 as ID-11 is to D76? Are HC and HC-110 pretty much the same? The reason I ask is that Ilford's datasheet for FP4+ states 8 mins done in Ilford HC and 9 mins done in Kodak HC-110, both at 1+31. DigitalTruth says 7-9 mins, which is a large variation for a short development time!

I developed my last HP4+ in Kodak HC-110 (310ml water to 10ml developer) for 9 mins and I feel it is slightly over-cooked. I'm going to try 8 mins next time but thought I'd seek some opinions first.

--

Kind Regds,

R.

brofkand · 05-15-2019, 11:29 AM

The HC-110 formula is a trade secret and has not been duplicated.

Ilford's HC is not a drop-in replacement, but should give similar results to HC-110, once you adjust times/temps/dilutions for the difference in formula.

stevebrot · 05-15-2019, 11:46 AM

The two are market equivalent in terms of dilutions and recommended times, though it is unclear whether the two are equivalent for results. I have never used Ilfotec HC, but what I do know is that HC-110 is considerably less expensive* here in the U.S, so we have little incentive to give it a try.

Steve

* $25.99 (U.S. syrup) vs. $56.99 for 1 liter

stevebrot · 05-15-2019, 12:01 PM

Originally posted by brofkand

The HC-110 formula is a trade secret and has not been duplicated.

So true, or at least a true duplication has never been proven.

Let us hope that HC-110 continues to be made or that the recipe passes into the public domain at some point. Truth be known, what I truly desire is a return of or a true duplicate of Edwal FG7. It abruptly disappeared from the market a few years ago with nothing but rumors regarding why and whether it will ever return.

Steve

Russell W. Barnes · 05-15-2019, 12:03 PM

Thanks, folks.

I usually use ID-11 but it goes too quickly, even at 1+3, before I'm mixing up another lot of sherbet, so I thought I'd give HC-110 a go as it's meant to last a long time and a little goes a long way. I use Adox Rodinal too. I've never used Ilford HC. I can only try a shorter dev time and find out for myself!

**jeffdrew** · 05-15-2019, 12:08 PM

Kodak HC-110 is an iconic, unequaled (imo) developer with a dozen+ variations, depending on the cook in charge. There are many other HC developers, but HC110 is kind of the “Gold” standard. Dozens of recipes and help sections exist for it. The concentrate lasts a long time, if needed. I remember when a small bottle was several dollars but made gallons of Tri-X mix for me. I can almost smell it,aahhhh! :-)

disconnekt · 05-15-2019, 04:49 PM

There's also LegacyPro L-110 thats very similiar to Kodak's HC-110. Same dilutions, dev times, though LP's 100 is not as thick as Kodak's 110. From what I've read online, they're both give similiar results.

Plus, LP's version is cheaper at $14:

Legacy Pro L110 Liquid Film Developer (Makes 2 gal) 10190 B&H

tuco · 05-16-2019, 09:35 AM - **1 Like**

A tale of two photographers. One says he gets perfect exposure and prints when he develops his film for 8 minutes. Another says, rubbish, he uses the same film and developer and also gets perfect prints when developed at 11 minutes. And both are correct.

stevebrot · 05-16-2019, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by tuco

A tale of two photographers. One says he gets perfect exposure and prints when he develops his film for 8 minutes. Another says, rubbish, he uses the same film and developer and also gets perfect prints when developed at 11 minutes. And both are correct.

They both photograph chess boards.

Steve

tuco · 05-16-2019, 11:48 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stevebrot

They both photograph chess boards.

Steve

Nope. Two different print enlargers

**ChrisPlatt** · 05-16-2019, 04:08 PM

Originally posted by disconnekt

There's also LegacyPro L-110 thats very similiar to Kodak's HC-110. Same dilutions, dev times, though LP's 100 is not as thick as Kodak's 110. From what I've read online, they're both give similiar results.

Plus, LP's version is cheaper at $14

Yes, cheaper, but I've read reports that LegacyPro L-110 has a shorter shelf life than Kodak HC-110.

Chris

**PWhite214** · 06-16-2019, 02:53 PM

I buy most of my supplies from Freestyle Photographic Supplies.
One Liter of HC-110 is priced at $29.99 (USD) 1 Liter equals 33.814 Ounces so
HC-110 cost is 29.99 / 33.814 = 89 cents per ounce
One pint of L-110 is priced at $14.99 (USD) so L-110 cost 14.99 / 16 -= 93 cents per ounce.
Not really a significant difference in price, as I usually use either as dilution B. The main reason I use LC-110 is it is easier to measure out.
I am not worried about the shelf life, I do keep the manufacturer stock refrigerated.

Now I am temped to buy a bottle of each to test against each other. With shipping would cost $53.00 and could cause shooting a lot more film!

Phil

05-15-2019, 10:48 AM	#1
Russell W. Barnes Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Near Penrith, Cumbria, England UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 296	Kodak HC-110 & Ilford HC Anyone care to comment on whether Ilford HC is to Kodak HC-110 as ID-11 is to D76? Are HC and HC-110 pretty much the same? The reason I ask is that Ilford's datasheet for FP4+ states 8 mins done in Ilford HC and 9 mins done in Kodak HC-110, both at 1+31. DigitalTruth says 7-9 mins, which is a large variation for a short development time! I developed my last HP4+ in Kodak HC-110 (310ml water to 10ml developer) for 9 mins and I feel it is slightly over-cooked. I'm going to try 8 mins next time but thought I'd seek some opinions first. -- Kind Regds, R.

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05-15-2019, 11:29 AM	#2
brofkand Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 836	The HC-110 formula is a trade secret and has not been duplicated. Ilford's HC is not a drop-in replacement, but should give similar results to HC-110, once you adjust times/temps/dilutions for the difference in formula.

05-15-2019, 11:46 AM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	The two are market equivalent in terms of dilutions and recommended times, though it is unclear whether the two are equivalent for results. I have never used Ilfotec HC, but what I do know is that HC-110 is considerably less expensive* here in the U.S, so we have little incentive to give it a try. Steve * $25.99 (U.S. syrup) vs. $56.99 for 1 liter

05-15-2019, 12:01 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by brofkand The HC-110 formula is a trade secret and has not been duplicated. So true, or at least a true duplication has never been proven. Let us hope that HC-110 continues to be made or that the recipe passes into the public domain at some point. Truth be known, what I truly desire is a return of or a true duplicate of Edwal FG7. It abruptly disappeared from the market a few years ago with nothing but rumors regarding why and whether it will ever return. Steve

05-15-2019, 12:03 PM	#5
Russell W. Barnes Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Near Penrith, Cumbria, England UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 296 Original Poster	Thanks, folks. I usually use ID-11 but it goes too quickly, even at 1+3, before I'm mixing up another lot of sherbet, so I thought I'd give HC-110 a go as it's meant to last a long time and a little goes a long way. I use Adox Rodinal too. I've never used Ilford HC. I can only try a shorter dev time and find out for myself!

05-15-2019, 12:08 PM	#6
jeffdrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 102	Kodak HC-110 is an iconic, unequaled (imo) developer with a dozen+ variations, depending on the cook in charge. There are many other HC developers, but HC110 is kind of the “Gold” standard. Dozens of recipes and help sections exist for it. The concentrate lasts a long time, if needed. I remember when a small bottle was several dollars but made gallons of Tri-X mix for me. I can almost smell it,aahhhh! :-)

05-15-2019, 04:49 PM	#7
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	There's also LegacyPro L-110 thats very similiar to Kodak's HC-110. Same dilutions, dev times, though LP's 100 is not as thick as Kodak's 110. From what I've read online, they're both give similiar results. Plus, LP's version is cheaper at $14: Legacy Pro L110 Liquid Film Developer (Makes 2 gal) 10190 B&H

05-16-2019, 09:35 AM - 1 Like	#8
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,026	A tale of two photographers. One says he gets perfect exposure and prints when he develops his film for 8 minutes. Another says, rubbish, he uses the same film and developer and also gets perfect prints when developed at 11 minutes. And both are correct.

05-16-2019, 11:18 AM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by tuco A tale of two photographers. One says he gets perfect exposure and prints when he develops his film for 8 minutes. Another says, rubbish, he uses the same film and developer and also gets perfect prints when developed at 11 minutes. And both are correct. They both photograph chess boards. Steve

05-16-2019, 11:48 AM - 1 Like	#10
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,026	Originally posted by stevebrot They both photograph chess boards. Steve Nope. Two different print enlargers

05-16-2019, 04:08 PM	#11
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	Originally posted by disconnekt There's also LegacyPro L-110 thats very similiar to Kodak's HC-110. Same dilutions, dev times, though LP's 100 is not as thick as Kodak's 110. From what I've read online, they're both give similiar results. Plus, LP's version is cheaper at $14 Yes, cheaper, but I've read reports that LegacyPro L-110 has a shorter shelf life than Kodak HC-110. Chris

06-16-2019, 02:53 PM	#12
PWhite214 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 82	I buy most of my supplies from Freestyle Photographic Supplies. One Liter of HC-110 is priced at $29.99 (USD) 1 Liter equals 33.814 Ounces so HC-110 cost is 29.99 / 33.814 = 89 cents per ounce One pint of L-110 is priced at $14.99 (USD) so L-110 cost 14.99 / 16 -= 93 cents per ounce. Not really a significant difference in price, as I usually use either as dilution B. The main reason I use LC-110 is it is easier to measure out. I am not worried about the shelf life, I do keep the manufacturer stock refrigerated. Now I am temped to buy a bottle of each to test against each other. With shipping would cost $53.00 and could cause shooting a lot more film! Phil