D-23 dilutions

[H. James Wolf]

I've read a lot here about D-23 as the first half of a divided developer and as a general purpose developer. Times are usually available for stock and 1:1, but not for greater dilutions, although several users comment on the great results they get with 1:3 all the way up to 1:7. I usually shoot TriX or the Arista equivalent in 35 mm, usually at box speed but sometimes pushing to 1600. Can anyone provide times/temps as starting points for these uses and higher dilution?
Thanks,

 

[2F/2F]

I believe that Kodak publishes some times for D-76 1:3. I would look at how these times relate to the 1:1 times, and apply the same ratio to D-23 when you try it out at 1:3. For instance, if the times for D-76 at 1:3 are 1.7x the 1:1 times, try D-23 1:3 at 1.7x the 1:1 times and see what happens. I made up the 1.7x factor.

Make sure you shoot a composition that has a fixed and a known luminance range, so you can accurately judge the development. You cannot know for sure if you are developing too much or too little if you do not know what the normally developed negative should be. You know this only by knowing how things in the shot measured with your light meter.

I wouldn't use it diluted that much for pushing, and you should also realize that you will get more graininess.

I've never developed Tri-X in diluted D-23 – just 1:1. I have not used the developer for that long, or done exact testing with it. I did use it 1:7 for stand development of FP4 a few times, with so-so results (too flat, but printable). If you do the math, 1:7 times would be very long, but 1:3 times are more reasonable. I would start at 1:3 and see if you like it...but remember that time is money, and developer is cheap. If this is just an attempt to save some money, I would find other ways to save in the darkroom aside from diluting your developer.

 

[Ronald Moravec]

Multiply the time by 1.4 for each time you dilute the developer 50% with water.

Sample. 5 min stock. 1:1 is 1.4 x 5 min = y. 1:3 is half the concentration of 1:1 so use the 1;1 times 1.4. 1:7 is half the concentration again. Use 1.4 times the 1:3 time.

You need to work this out step by step. DO NOT try a stock time multiplid by some number.

My times for D76 1:3 is 16 min. It get sharp , but has a lot of grain perhaps because of the longer wet time. I doubt going to 1:7 will change much.

Certainly use 4 oz stock reguardless of dilution. This means a 32 oz tank for a single roll of 36 at 1:7, 4 oz developer, 28 water.

 

[Ian Grant]

You might also look at the older Datasheets for Microdol-X and Perceptol as they are essentially just D23 with Sodium Chloride and had times for 1+3, you can extrapolate a time for 1+2 which is slightly better balanced as it's less dilute, finer grain with excellent sharpness.

Ian

 

[analogsnob]

Diluting D-23 on the order of 1:4 one arrives at one of Hans Windisch's compensating formulas. (don't quote me on the exact dilution its been a long time and the resulting developer is close enough so any precise differences don't matter) The windisch formula exhibits strong compensating action, the developing times get long (on the order of 20 minuits) and there is a speed loss. That said it is pretty amazing stuff capable of holding about 10-12 zones or for the patient expanding mid tones without burning normal highlights.