Am I being too anal or not?

hoffy · Apr 5, 2015

Dr Croubie said:
What's the maximum temp on the separated thermometer? I've got a few that regularly separate, like my Jobo one that only goes up to 30C on the scale.
Simple solution, some hot water out of the tap about 40-50C in a cup. Dip the thermometer and watch the liquid rise until it's nearly to the top, then pull it out so it slows or goes down a bit. Keep dipping and pulling out (man, that sounds dirty), to keep the liquid rising slowly, until it's all back together.
(It won't explode too easily, there's a bulb at the top to keep some expansion space, but if you drop it in water that's too hot and forget about it, it might.)
Once all the liquid is back together, just let it cool to room temp while holding it vertical (or near enough).

Well, this was the closest I got to getting it right! I dipped and removed and each time it drew down just a bit more of the alcohol. I think I had 5mm left right up the top when it made a slight cracking noise and the alcohol separated into 20 or 30 sections! Dammit!

I'll probably just get a digital thermometer from the local electronics place during the week - something like this - http://www.jaycar.com.au/Test-&-Measurement/Thermometers/Contact/Digital-Stem-Thermometer/p/QM7216 - and compare it against my reference (the fertility thermometer, which measures from between 30c and 40c).

As for the Thermapen......hmmmm - I'll keep that one in mind.

cluttered · Apr 5, 2015

hoffy said:
I'll probably just get a digital thermometer from the local electronics place during the week - something like this - http://www.jaycar.com.au/Test-&-Measurement/Thermometers/Contact/Digital-Stem-Thermometer/p/QM7216 - and compare it against my reference (the fertility thermometer, which measures from between 30c and 40c).

I wonder if a non-contact thermometer (eg http://www.jaycar.com.au/Test-&-Mea...hermometer-with-Dual-Laser-Targeting/p/QM7221) would give accurate readings for developer etc? Obviously it's a *lot* more money, but it'd be a cool gadget

Either way, if you need a thermometer for this long weekend you're welcome to borrow one of mine. (PM me if so.)

hoffy · Apr 5, 2015

Thanks for the offer, but I've run out of my opportunities for this weekend. Tomorrow its back to jobs around the home.....

Jim Jones · Apr 5, 2015

Regular Rod said:
Suppose the room temperature is not the same as the temperature he has standardised on?

RR

It is easier to adjust developing time than to adjust the temperature of chemicals, tanks, and wash water. This worked with me from 65 to 85 degrees F.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 28, 2015

hoffy said:
So, I start setting up tonight to process some B&W film and I notice that both my last good analogue thermometer is busted (separated and it won't tap back) and my last good digital thermometer is also busted. Due to my anality (is that a word??), I have packed it away until I get a new thermometer of some description.

Am I being to anal about it? Should I just guess and process based on the ambient temperature (its around 23 inside at the moment)?

Cheers

have you trird throwing it into the freezer to fic the column? worked for me.

Greg Heath · Apr 28, 2015

hoffy said:
So, I start setting up tonight to process some B&W film and I notice that both my last good analogue thermometer is busted (separated and it won't tap back) and my last good digital thermometer is also busted. Due to my anality (is that a word??), I have packed it away until I get a new thermometer of some description.

Am I being to anal about it? Should I just guess and process based on the ambient temperature (its around 23 inside at the moment)?

Cheers

No...This is what you should do. Buy some Rodinal and start processing ALL of your films using Stand and Semi-Stand development. Rodinal 1:100, so for developing my 120 film, 4ml of Rodinal to 396 ml of water. Leave it for 60 minutes and then water rinse, and then fix as normal, and rinse and hang. Nothing to it. You will get fantastic highlights and wonderful other tones. All for not measuring anything, and doing something else for an hour or longer. The film will develop perfect every time. Throw out your thermometer.

Greg

removed account4 · Apr 28, 2015

Greg Heath said:
No...This is what you should do. Buy some Rodinal and start processing ALL of your films using Stand and Semi-Stand development. Rodinal 1:100, so for developing my 120 film, 4ml of Rodinal to 396 ml of water. Leave it for 60 minutes and then water rinse, and then fix as normal, and rinse and hang. Nothing to it. You will get fantastic highlights and wonderful other tones. All for not measuring anything, and doing something else for an hour or longer. The film will develop perfect every time. Throw out your thermometer.

Greg

anarchist !

Greg Heath · Apr 28, 2015

Hahaha.

Thomas Bertilsson · Apr 28, 2015

I think you're being perfectly reasonable. Temperature is a very important ingredient in getting great negatives.

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2006210208211880.pdf

If you look at that link it will tell you how much time you should compensate for two degrees Celsius change in temperature, and the change is quite substantial. Like from 11m30s to 9m15s. That temperature difference could make the difference between usable negatives and unusable ones.

I'd wait for the thermometer too.

In the meantime, slowly heat up your existing thermometer, and then slowly cool it back down. That should take care of the bubbles.

cliveh · Apr 28, 2015

Development is essentially about time/temperature and you are also developing film (working blind), so you need an accurate thermometer.

pdeeh · Apr 28, 2015

hoffy said:
Am I being to anal about it?

yes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fbHOAbOcNI

Sirius Glass · Apr 28, 2015

Waiting for a thermometer is not anal. You are being practical and wise.

Am I being too anal or not?

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