Ilford Microphen Fine Grain Developer for Black and White Film, 1 Liter
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Ilford Microphen Fine Grain Developer for Black and White Film, 1 Liter

SKU: ILML

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Questions & Answers

Jason D : How many rolls can one box be used to process?GARY S : One package will make 1000 ml of stock solution. It takes about 250 ml of solution for a roll of 36mm film. If you use it straight that will develop 8 rolls. If you mix it 1:1 it will develop 16 rolls. Depends on what you are doing. When I push 400 iso film to 1600 I use stock solution. For film at box speed I use 1:1DANIEL C : Hi Jason, Great timing on the question. I just finished up developing film from a liter of Microphen. I dilute the Microphen 1+1. Therefore, a liter of stock Microphen when mixed with a liter of water, will give me 2 liters of working developer. I can develop 8 rolls of 35mm film OR 4 rolls of 120 film. This is based on using a stainless steel (500ml) 2 reel tank. I can develop 2 35mm rolls or 1 120 film in 500 ml. of developer. I mix 250 ml of Microphen + 250 ml of water to yield 500 ml of working developer. (I call the freshly mixed developer a stock solution, when I mix water with the developer for processing, I call that working developer.) If you use a Patterson-style plastic developing tank with self-loading reels, then your output drops to around 6 rolls of 35mm film or 3 rolls of 120 film. The plastic, Patterson-style tanks use more solution because they are a slightly larger size. A couple of tips: I use distilled water to mix the powdered chemicals. I also use distilled water to develop film. This is a personal choice. I use brown glass bottles to store my chemicals. If that isn't possible, then use brown plastic bottles. Never, but never use clear household bottles (i.e. milk bottles) because someone might think it's ok to drink. Clear bottles also hasten the process of deterioration by letting light in. Light blocking bottles extend developer life. I use 500ml bottles and store the stock solution in them. I fill the bottle up to the brim to keep as much air out of the bottle. I mix developer with water just before use. I know it's a very long reply, but I hope it's of help to you!John C : Ilford has lots of good info on their website. The short answer directly from Ilford is 10 rolls of 135/36 or 120. But that is unreplenished and not diluted. Ilford does not recommend reuse of diluted microphen or any of its powdered developers. PS it looks like Adorama is out of stock anyway.NICOLAI H : I have done 10 films with the recommended adjustment in processing time and they all came out fine. I haven't tried a larger number though so I don't know what the limit is.Richard K : Provided you remember to adjust your development time with each subsequent use, you can practically develop about 9 rolls (36 frame 35mm). I've not pushed it further.
Shopper : Why Did You Choose This?TIMOTHY F : Super developer for pushing HP5+DANIEL C : I want to try something different for a change.ROBERT O : Powdered developers are convenient because they have a long shelf life.ROBERT B : It is a good developer in powder form. it is very compatible with its counter part Kodak.ROGER P : In case I want to push process film.JAMES G : Works well with Delta 3200. Full speed and low grain.

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2017-01-24T08:07:58

Rated 5 out of 5

Great fine grain developer

Works great for push processing Delta and HP5 films. I've used it up to 3200 with great success. Grain is quite tolerable and contrast is as even as can be expected. One thing it is a slower acting developer so you will have about 50% longer development times than if you're used to using ID-11 or D-76. Also has a pretty long shelf life.

BEN M.

2016-12-15T11:30:12

Rated 5 out of 5

Awesome B and W developer

Wonderful film developer. Works great even on expired film.

Patrick G.

2013-03-27T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Exactly what I needed

This was exactly what I needed. For a first time film developer, the results turned out great! Better than most mini labs in my area anyway... The process was a little confusing at first as the directions that came with were less than stellar for a first timer such as myself, but that was easily rectified by one google search.

DILLON J.

2013-01-28T19:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Consistant product...

Good quality, consistent product. Good for pros and student alike.

John M.

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About Ilford Microphen Fine Grain Developer for Black and White Film, 1 Liter

FEATURED REVIEWS

Exactly what I needed

By DILLON J.

This was exactly what I needed. For a first time film developer, the results turned out great! Better than most mini labs in my area anyway... The process was a little confusing at first as the directions that came with were less than stellar for a first timer such as myself, but that was easily rectified by one google search.

Great fine grain developer

By BEN M.

Works great for push processing Delta and HP5 films. I've used it up to 3200 with great success. Grain is quite tolerable and contrast is as even as can be expected. One thing it is a slower acting developer so you will have about 50% longer development times than if you're used to using ID-11 or D-76. Also has a pretty long shelf life.

Are you a photography enthusiast or professional looking to elevate the quality of your black and white film development? ILFORD MICROPHEN Fine Grain Developer is the consummate choice for those seeking to enhance film speed without compromising on the clarity and detail of their images.

Crafted with precision, ILFORD MICROPHEN is renowned for its ability to provide an effective increase in film speed, often achieving up to half a stop with most films. For high-speed films such as HP5 Plus, Delta 400 Professional, and Delta 3200 Professional, the results are even more pronounced. Unlike other developers that may increase film speed at the expense of larger grain size, MICROPHEN has been meticulously formulated to surmount this challenge. Its low alkalinity is key to reducing grain size and preventing grain clumping, ensuring that your photographs retain the fine grain quality that black and white film is celebrated for.

With ILFORD MICROPHEN, you gain the advantage of a high speed/grain ratio, meaning you can enjoy the benefits of increased speed while preserving the fine grain characteristics that are the hallmark of professional-grade black and white photography. This developer is especially beneficial for those looking to push process fast films such as HP5 Plus, Delta 400 Professional, Delta 3200 Professional, and SFX200 through extended development times.

Whether you're a seasoned photographer or a student honing your craft, ILFORD MICROPHEN Fine Grain Developer is a reliable and efficient solution that delivers consistent, high-quality results. Embrace the professional standard and ensure your black and white film captures the world with the depth, detail, and nuance it deserves.

Ilford Microphen Fine Grain Developer for Black and White Film, 1 Liter Features

  • A Fine Grain Film Developer which Gives an Effective Increase in Film Speed.
  • Has a High Speed / Grain Ratio, it Gives a Speed Increase While Retaining the Grain Characteristics Associated with Fine Grain Developers.

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Key Features

  • Fine grain film developer designed specifically for black and white film
  • Provides an effective increase in film speed, enhancing photographic detail
  • Formulated to reduce grain size and prevent grain clumping for clear images
  • High speed/grain ratio, maintaining fine grain characteristics even with speed increase
  • Ideal for extended development times to push process fast films
  • Consistent, high-quality results suitable for both professional photographers and students