Video Chat with a Photography Expert - Live

Ilford Perceptol Developer (Powder) for Black & White Film

BH #ILPDL • MFR #1960529
Print
Ilford Perceptol Developer (Powder) for Black & White Film
In Stock
No Store Display
Ask an Expert
800-606-6969

Ilford Perceptol Overview

ILFORD PERCEPTOL is an extra fine grain developer which gives excellent image quality and very fine grain. It is optimized for use at the slower end of the exposure range. PERCEPTOL has been specially formulated to yield optimum results from high resolution lenses, to exploit the superb grain structure of ILFORD medium and slow speed films and to produce significantly finer grain in ILFORD fast films compared with a standard fine grain developer.

PERCEPTOL gives excellent results with any lens/film combination and is therefore ideal when texture and definition are critical; negatives processed in PERCEPTOL are capable of producing finer grain and better quality enlargements than those produced in a standard fine grain developer.

PERCEPTOL is supplied in powdered form and shows exceptional consistency throughout its working life. It is made up to a stock solution for normal tank and tray use, and can be further diluted 1+1 or 1+3 for users who prefer to use fresh solution each time.

UPC: 019498960529

Ilford Perceptol Specs

Included Materials
1x Powder Film Developer
Working Solution Volume
33.8 fl oz / 1 L
Packaging Info
Package Weight
0.395 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
6.65 x 5.75 x 1.5"

Ilford Perceptol Reviews

The best

By flavio
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2025-12-12

My developer in the last 45 years. Absolutely perfect

Fine Grain A

By Brett
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-06-29

One of the best fine grain developers ever made, poor with push processing but if you're looking for immaculate grain structure this is your Dev. Slow film only for this one. Ideal for rotary tube given the long dev times. Hope this helps

See any errors on this page?

How good is this developer for Ilford HP5-120?

How good is this developer for Ilford HP5-120?
Asked by: Carlos
This developer is very good for use with HP5, especially if you are trying to achieve super fine grain with fast films.
Answered by: Rob
Date published: 2025-08-21

If I mix a liter of perceptual but only use half ...

If I mix a liter of perceptual but only use half of the amount, will the other half be okay stored in a container for a week or two until I need it.? Mike
Asked by: Mike
Yes you just need to keep it in an airtight container and it should last a few months at least
Answered by: Zachariah
Date published: 2025-08-18

How long does this solution keep once mixed?

How long does this solution keep once mixed?
Asked by: Mike
In a sealed container roughly 6 months, however if it has been opened but kept in an airtight container, I would say roughly 3 weeks.
Answered by: Zachariah
Date published: 2021-01-31

question

I need more than a L of working solution would one way of going about this be to purchase two boxes mix them separately and then combined them to make 2 L?
Asked by: Anthony T.
I wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions / information its all very helpful. I wanted to combined the two packs so I could use my 5 reel instead of 3 reel tank as time is an issue. Ive been using stock solution with FP4 at 50asa with wonderful results and a time that isn't to bad. Im very happy I found this developer its everything Ive been looking for and more I just wish Ilford sold it maybe in the 5L like Xtol or a 3L package now that would be something great.
Answered by: Anthony T.
Date published: 2018-08-27

question

Are there any differences between Perceptol and the discontinued Kodak Microdol X? I happily used Microdol X for over 30 years, overexposing Ilford HP5 and underdeveloping with Microdol X 1:3. I have successfully used Legacy Pro Mic X (much cheaper than Perceptol) but worry about the product's consistency and freshness. I'm not familiar with the manufacturer. I trust Ilford. Are their any visible differences (grain, tone, speed, etc.) with Perceptol?
Asked by: Anonymous
Perceptol is the Ilford equivalent of Microdol. For best results, overexpose but do not underdevelop. I have used both and the results appear to my eye to be very similar.
Answered by: DANIEL C.
Date published: 2025-08-21
  • y_2026, m_9, d_7, h_9CST
  • bvseo_bulk, prod_bvqa, vn_bulk_3.0.48
  • cp_1, bvpage1
  • co_hasquestionsanswers, tq_5
  • loc_en_US, sid_213194, prod, sort_[SortEntry(order=HAS_STAFF_ANSWERS, direction=DESCENDING)]
  • clientName_bhphotovideo
Whatever You Need, We've Got It