Developer · Black and white
Harman/Ilford Ilfotec HC
Also known as: ILFOTEC HC
Ilford's highly concentrated liquid developer for all general-purpose black and white films. The dilution ratios on the datasheet are from concentrate, the same convention as Kodak HC-110 (1+15 corresponds to HC-110 dilution A, 1+31 to dilution B). The sheet's 1+15/1+31 film times match the Kodak HC-110 A/B times printed on Ilford's film datasheets. A 1+11 dilution is for roller transport and short leader card processors only (24°C) and is not listed here.
- Type
- Liquid
- Process
- B&W
- Temperature
- 20°C
- Dilutions
- 3
- Shelf life
- Full unopened bottles stored at 5-20°C keep indefinitely; once opened, use completely to make stock solution.
Characteristics
Not stated
Dilutions
| Ratio | Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1+15 | Replenishable | From concentrate. Ilford: for rapid development in small tanks, deep tanks and dishes. Can be reused without replenishment: 10 films per litre, time increased 10% per film. |
| 1+31 | Replenishable | From concentrate. Ilford: for most general-purpose films in small tanks, deep tanks, dishes, rotary, dip and dunk and continuous processors. Can be reused without replenishment: 5 films per litre. |
| 1+47 | One-shot | From concentrate. Ilford: for one-shot small tank processing; do not reuse. |
Shelf life
- Concentrate
- Full unopened bottles stored at 5-20°C keep indefinitely; once opened, use completely to make stock solution.
- Working Solution
- Stock solution (concentrate 1+3 with water) at 5-20°C: up to 6 months in full tightly capped bottles, 2 months in half-full bottles. Working-strength life not stated.
Per litre of concentrate: 1+15 makes 16 L, 160 films (135-36) one-shot, 800 with reuse; 1+31 makes 32 L, 160 one-shot, 1600 with reuse. Per litre of working solution reused: 1+15 10 films, 1+31 5 films.
Development times
| Film | Dilution | ISO | Time | Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP5 Plus | 1+15 | 400 | 3m 30s | 20°C (68°F) |
| HP5 Plus | 1+15 | 800 | 5m | 20°C (68°F) |
| HP5 Plus | 1+15 | 1600 | 7m 30s | 20°C (68°F) |
| HP5 Plus | 1+15 | 3200 | 11m | 20°C (68°F) |
| HP5 Plus | 1+31 | 400 | 6m 30s | 20°C (68°F) |
| HP5 Plus | 1+31 | 800 | 9m 30s | 20°C (68°F) |
| HP5 Plus | 1+31 | 1600 | 14m | 20°C (68°F) |
| FP4 Plus | 1+15 | 125 | 4m | 20°C (68°F) |
| FP4 Plus | 1+15 | 200 | 5m | 20°C (68°F) |
| FP4 Plus | 1+31 | 50 | 6m | 20°C (68°F) |
Showing 10 of 66 entries.
Often used for
Limitations & warnings
- Ilford recommends diluting the whole bottle to a 1+3 stock solution because small amounts of concentrate are hard to measure
- Do not use as a replenisher
- Ilford does not recommend push processing in reused developer
Descriptions combine manufacturer specifications with community experience. Subjective assessments reflect common sentiment among photographers and may not match your results.