Quick answer
Both Ilford ID-11 and Ilfotec LC29 are excellent film developers for home processing. ID-11 is a versatile powder developer ideal for fine grain, while LC29 is a liquid concentrate that offers flexible dilution for different contrast needs.
Why choose ID-11 or LC29?
Ilford ID-11 is a classic fine grain powder developer that works well in spiral tanks, deep tanks, and machine processing. It's economical and versatile, making it a great choice if you process many rolls.
Ilford Ilfotec LC29 is a high dilution liquid concentrate that's easy to pour and measure. It delivers fine grain with sharpness and allows flexible dilution for adjusting contrast without changing development time.
Key trade-offs
ID-11 requires dissolving powder completely, which takes more preparation time and care. LC29 is simpler to mix but costs more per liter of working solution.
For beginners, LC29's liquid format reduces measuring errors. For high-volume processing, ID-11's lower cost per roll is more economical.
Step-by-step film development with Ilford ID-11 or Ilfotec LC29
- Prepare your workspace and chemicals: Set up your developing tank, thermometer, measuring cylinders, and chemicals. For ID-11, dissolve the powder in water at 20°C (68°F) per package instructions. For LC29, mix the concentrate with water at your chosen dilution (e.g., 1+9 for standard, 1+19 for fine grain). Always check the temperature of your working solution; it must be within 0.5°C of your target temperature.
- Load film onto reels in total darkness: In a completely dark room or changing bag, open the film cassette, cut the leader, and load the film onto the developing reel. Place the loaded reel into the developing tank and seal it. You can now turn on the lights. Common mistake: touching the emulsion side of the film with fingers. Handle film only by the edges to avoid fingerprints.
- Pre-wet the film (optional but recommended): Pour water at the same temperature as your developer into the tank and agitate gently for 1 minute. This ensures even developer absorption and reduces air bells. Drain the water completely before adding developer. Skipping pre-wet can cause uneven development, especially with powder developers like ID-11.
- Add developer and agitate: Pour the prepared developer into the tank and start your timer. Agitate continuously for the first 30 seconds, then for 5 seconds every 30 seconds thereafter. Follow the recommended development time for your film and developer combination. Over-agitation can increase contrast and grain; under-agitation causes uneven development. Stick to the recommended pattern.
- Stop bath, fix, and wash: After development, pour out the developer and add stop bath (or water) for 30 seconds with agitation. Then add fixer per its instructions (usually 3-5 minutes). Finally, wash the film with running water or a dedicated washing aid for 5-10 minutes. Incomplete fixing leaves a milky residue; insufficient washing causes image fading over time. Use a hypo test to confirm.
- Dry and store your negatives: Hang the film in a dust-free area using clips. Gently squeegee excess water with your fingers or a film squeegee. Let it dry completely before cutting and storing in archival sleeves. Drying too quickly with heat can cause curling; dust settling on wet film is hard to remove. Dry at room temperature in a still area.
Product facts
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Ilford ID-11 Fine Grain Film Developer 1L: Economic, versatile, powder developer suitable for spiral tank, deep tanks and machine processing. ID-11 is a workhorse developer that handles many film types and processing methods, making it ideal for home darkrooms on a budget.
Ilford ID-11 Fine Grain Film Developer 1L
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Ilford Ilfotec LC29 Film Developer 500ml: High dilution liquid concentrate film developer that is easy to pour, flexible, and economic with fine grain and sharpness. LC29's liquid form simplifies measuring and dilution, giving you precise control over contrast without needing to adjust time.
Ilford Ilfotec LC29 Film Developer 500ml
