Caution: Confusing developer dilution to overall volume question

[brian steinberger]

I use Xtol. For 4x5 film I use 2000ml diluted 1:3 in an 11x14 tray for 6 sheets of 4x5 film. So I'm using 500ml of stock Xtol. Kodak recommends at least 100ml of developer per 1 roll of 135, 120, 4 sheets of 4x5 or 1 8x10 piece of film (120 sq. inches I believe).

When I develop two rolls of 120 film in a tank that takes 800ml of chemistry, I use Xtol 1:1. So I'm using 400ml of Xtol for 2 rolls of 120.

So, when I develop 4x5 film, I'm using well beyond the recommended minimum. That's because I need at least 2 L of developer for the tray to cover the film. But I'm using 500ml of stock Xtol for "1 1/2" rolls of film. When I develop 2 120 rolls I'm using 400ml of stock Xtol for 2 rolls of film, which is less developer for more overall area of film.

This should have an effect on development time. And I think that I have noticed this. My development times for any 4x5 film in a 1:3 dilution of Xtol are way shorter than anything I've read or is recommended.

Question: Could it possibly be because there is more stock Xtol in my developer when I'm developing 4x5 film as compared to when I'm developing 120 film?

This is a very confusing question, and I hope you all can understand. Let me know if you need more clarification.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Tray development involves almost constant agitation, so tray development times are usually shorter than tank development times.

 

[w35773]

Also, check your temperatures. This will also have a BIG impact on your dev. times.

Why such a big tray for 4x5, are you using an insert to keep the film sheets separate, or do you just like a big tray?

 

[Monophoto]

Why such a big tray for 4x5, are you using an insert to keep the film sheets separate, or do you just like a big tray?

And why so much volume? I use a slosher insert in an 11x14 tray, and am able to process 6 sheets in 800ml of solution.

 

[PhotoSmith]

The minimum amount of stock developer solution is to ensure there is enough developer energy to complete the development process before the developer is exhausted. If you use more stock developer than the minimum amount, in a tray or tank, I don't think it increases the development energy level.

If you are using constant agitation of a stack of 4x5 negatives in a small tray, the warmth from your hands could be significantly warming the developer and making it more active. The constant agitation also shortens development time compared with intermittent agitation.

 

[PhotoSmith]

Sorry, I missed the part where you mentioned using 2L of developer. This amount of solution shouldn't warm up as much as a small tray, obviously. But temperature could still be a large cause of the shorter times.

 

[brian steinberger]

And why so much volume? I use a slosher insert in an 11x14 tray, and am able to process 6 sheets in 800ml of solution.

Really? That's exactly how I'm processing mine, in a slosher. I though you needed alot of volume to cover the sheets. I'm suprised you can get away with 800ml.