I think you will find that both FP4 and HP5 work well with Xtol developer. 1:2 is recommended but if you want more punch (read contrast) try 1:1 or straight.
Bob Schramm
Check out my web page at:
http://www.SchrammStudio.com
also look at:
http://www.wlsc.wvnet.edu/www/pubrel/photo.html
>From: christine
>Reply-To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
>To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
>Subject: Re: HP5 and fog
>Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2001 09:37:56 -0400
>
>Dave Rose wrote:
>
> > This may be a silly question, but is the film fresh? I've used HP5 for many
> > years. If stored at room temperature, it will acquire increasing levels of
> > base fog over time.
> >
> > I've had very good results using D76 with tray development.
> >
> > Dave in Wyoming
> >
> > > Has anyone successfully tamed the high base fog level of HP5? I have
> > tried
> > > many times to develop this film with conventional developers and found the
> > > fog level bothersome.
>
>That's interesting. I tried HP5 a couple of times a while ago and was
>disappointed with the results. At the time, I felt the film was strangely flat
>and lacking punch. Maybe what I was actually seeing was an uncreased base fog
>and didn't know it. The film was quite fresh. I went back to Kodak after
>that.
>
>-christine
>