Shooting and developing old plates

[moggi1964]

So the old 4x5 plates I have are shown below. Any suggestions on shooting speeds and development techniques/type of developer to maximise the chance of getting something. Clearly I know nothing of the history of these particular plates so everything is guesswork but a starting point for each type of plate would be helpful.

I have 10 or 12 of the Royal Standard plates; 24 x FP4 and 36 x R52.

Thanks.

 

[Ian Grant]

I'd better go see what plate holders I have, genuine MPP ones from memory

The Cadett & Neale plates are pre-WW1, the company was bought by George Eastman in 1903 and continued to trade under their own name until around 1910.

The FP4 is early, earlier than 1966 I'm not sure when Ilford changed their packing possibly 1963/4 when they began working with Ciba, but the High Contrast plates are the packaging I remember from 1968/9.

Ian

 

[moggi1964]

Pre-WW1 - WOW! That's nuts.

Thanks Ian.

 

[RichiedD]

I love shooting old plates. I have found that rating at a speed of around -3 stops is a good starting point. I used mostly HC110 dilution B, reputedly good for fog reduction, but now use Microphen, at least with HP3. Development times around 7 to 8 mins for both.

I obtained a pack of Ilford plates manufactured in 1922. I guessed the speed did a test and found a rating of around 1.5 ASA worked. Came out great.






Richard

 

[moggi1964]

I love shooting old plates. I have found that rating at a speed of around -3 stops is a good starting point. I used mostly HC110 dilution B, reputedly good for fog reduction, but now use Microphen, at least with HP3. Development times around 7 to 8 mins for both.

I obtained a pack of Ilford plates manufactured in 1922. I guessed the speed did a test and found a rating of around 1.5 ASA worked. Came out great.

View attachment 3640

View attachment 3639


Richard

What a terrific image from such an old plate. Thanks for the insight into how youy shot and processed it..