Black and white film developing

[Louisvillebuddy]

Hi All,
I am planning to develop my first B&W on this Sunday, could you please let me know whether BW developer(D76) can be reused or it is an oneshot?

Thanks

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I prefer diluting it 1+1 and using it one-shot... but I have reused the stock. Increase the time.. by how much? I don't remember. Someone here with more experience will chime in.

 

[Alan9940]

I know a lot of photographers reuse developers, but i always use ‘em one-shot.

 

[removedacct1]

You can adopt a replenishment system if you wish (requires purchase of the D-76 Replenisher) but I recommend you stick to using D-76 once and discard it after each roll. A 1:1 dilution for D-76 has been the go-to choice for many photographers for decades, and it is unlikely to disappoint.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Yes, if I were you, I'd start off with 1+1 dilution. Working with replenished developer introduces another variable. You can check the massive development chart online for 1+1 D76 and the film that you're working with. https://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.php

 

[MattKing]

Hi All,
I am planning to develop my first B&W on this Sunday, could you please let me know whether BW developer(D76) can be reused or it is an oneshot?

Thanks

You can, but it adds a level of complexity that I would recommend against for someone who is just starting out.
It involves a requirement for changing the development time - lengthening it - as you develop later films.
The 1+1 dilution for D76 used one shot is quite economic, works really well, and is simple to do.
Have you mixed up your D76 stock yet? With D76 it is recommended that you wait a day before you develop the first film after mixing it from powder in the package, so if you have a choice, try to mix the stock up ahead of time.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hi All,
I am planning to develop my first B&W on this Sunday, could you please let me know whether BW developer(D76) can be reused or it is an oneshot?

Thanks

both; depends on dilution. I use it one-shot at 1+1

 

[Agulliver]

D76 is pretty much identical to my favourite ID-11....I use it stock (1+0) and it lasts around 6 months or 14 films...which ever comes first. I do add 30 seconds for the last four films and the stuff does become a little less potent after 6 months too. I store it in a dark concertina jar so very little air gets in.

 

[Louisvillebuddy]

What is this 1:1?, I am sorry I am new to developing BW film.

 

[jim appleyard]

What is this 1:1?, I am sorry I am new to developing BW film.

One part developer, one part water. The water is always the second part of the ratio. You can use D-76 straight, (called stock or 1+0) and many folks do, but I find the tonality of the negative to be better at 1+1. The grain will increase a small amount, but I think the tonality is worth it. There are many good videos on youtube if you need it.

 

[mklw1954]

I prefer D76 stock solution and develop 4 rolls of 35mm/36 exposure or 120 film per liter, per Kodak's data sheet, reusing the solution until 4 rolls are developed. I make the one gallon of D76 in a 1-gallon pitcher and place it into 1-liter plain seltzer bottles (any type of soda bottle would do). This is 3 1-liter bottles and a 4th bottle with 0.8 liters of solution (develop 3 rolls with the 0.8 liters). Just squeeze the bottles and cap them so there's no airspace in the bottle, and store the bottles in the dark, as oxygen and light can degrade the solution; stored this way, they can last up to 6 months. I also filter the solution with a funnel and coffee filter before the next use if the solution has been used before. I have found if I develop 2 or 3 rolls with a liter, the solution goes bad, getting cloudy and etching the bottle, if the 4th roll is not developed within 2-3 weeks of the last use.

Using the stock may be easier starting out as using 1:1 use results in remaining solution volumes that make it harder to eliminate bottle headspace air. But that can be done and you may prefer the look of 1:1.

It's always good to read the data sheets for the film and chemicals you are using.
http://imaging.kodakalaris.com/sites/prod/files/files/resources/j78.pdf

 

[David Brown]

You might find the instructions useful ...
http://imaging.kodakalaris.com/sites/uat/files/wysiwyg/pro/chemistry/j78.pdf