Topic: Pushing FP4 to 800

[inksmelladdict]

Hello Gang,
I was just wondering if anyone could help me out. I've got a couple of rolls of Ilford FP4 sitting around the house but shooting at 125 doesn't hold much appeal for me. I'm more of a high ISO junkie. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on pushing the film to 800. Specifically, has anyone tried it before and was it a success if so? I've no idea what it might look like when pushed so much.
Thanks in advance,
Inksmelladdict

[SLVR]

You could try it. But it's not something I would ever attempt. Maybe if the rapture happened and I only had FP4 left and I was being attacked by savages at night and I wanted to record my last moments on earth or something.

Lower ISO films have a much different contrast curve than higher ISO films. I pushed kentmere 100 to 400 once and got a very moody, contrasty image from most of the roll. I'm not sure 800 would give good results. At least for my preferred taste. Who knows though, you could love it or even figure out that it's not that bad.

If you've got a couple rolls why not sacrifice one for experimental purposes?

[inksmelladdict]

I only have the one roll but I'm just not sure I'll get around to using it at 125. So slow. So so slow.

[Late Developer]

I don't see why you shouldn't be able to do this.  You won't be using the film at its optimum and you might end up with grain like golf balls - but the following chart shows you the increased development times:

http://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.php?doc=pushproc

Have a go and see what you get.  Don't forget to post the results and show us how you got on.

[02Pilot]

I pushed it to 400 - Caffenol C-L, 80min stand @20C, agitate first minute and two turns at 40min - and it did remarkably well. Grain was not an issue, and it maintained pretty good tonal separation. Frankly I think it handled a two stop push better than HP5+, at least in my limited experience in doing so. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to try it, but I'd definitely use a compensating developer.

[Francois]

Don't forget that you'll be exposing only the shadow area of the characteristic curve. Looking at the graph for that part will give you an idea of the contrast level you'll get.

[02Pilot]

See the 24exp thread in the Photo Essays forum for my samples of FP4+ pushed to 400: http://www.filmwasters.com/forum/index.php?topic=8418.0

[inksmelladdict]

Thanks everyone. O2 Pilot- I really like the look of those shots. They've convinced me that pushing the film even further is definitely the right way to go. In the spirit of experimentation of course.

[imagesfrugales]

There's theory (zone system etc.) and practical experiance. Both can be very useful. I rarely use the "rich" shadow detail. I'm with Francois and recommend a compensating developer and with O2 and recommend stand development with a suitable developer. Caffenol-C-L stand is an option - of course. Or Xtol 1+3 with not so hefty agitation?

[jojonas~]

you can find some shots of it rated as 6400 here: http://emulsive.org/reviews/ilford-fp4-125

[Indofunk]

you can find some shots of it rated as 6400 here: http://emulsive.org/reviews/ilford-fp4-125

Woah, that is insane  Wonder exactly how he developed it... Is Ilfosol (his dev of choice) a compensating developer?

[inksmelladdict]

you can find some shots of it rated as 6400 here: http://emulsive.org/reviews/ilford-fp4-125

Woah. Makes me think I'm not being adventurous enough only pushing to 800.