HIE optimum developer

[Russell J Rosener <rrosener@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm ready to give the Kodak HIE a try now that I have a Hoya R72 filter.
But I wonder what the best developer is? I realize Kodak suggests D-76
undiluted, but I imagine that a compensating developer like AGFA Rodinal
at 1:50 dilution or greater might give a more workable tonal scale
and less blocked highlights. Any thoughts?

My Ilford rep. told me a humorous story about the "new" Ilford infra red
B&W film. He said it has been made for years in Europe, and used to catch
speeding motorists! Evidently in Europe, there are these automated speed
traps which use strobes to photograph the license plate of a speeding
vehicle. It seems too many people were beating this "wrap" by claiming in
court that someone else was driving their car at the time. The courts
decided
a photograph of the license plate AND driver were needed to collect the
fine. Obviously a conventional strobe would blind the driver, but an
infrared strobe would not. Voila, Ilford makes the infra red film for
these automated speed traps. All I can say is thank God we don't have
those in the U.S.!!

The Ilford rep, Greg Lanoue, says at this time the infra red is only
available in 35mm to the amateur market, but if it goes over big, it will
be out in 120 and 4x5 format next year. Have not shot it yet as all
initial suplies are exhausted! Sounds similar to the Konica, but as soon
as I test it I will post info.


Russ Rosener.