D67: Use it from 1 gallon Datatainer or distro to smaller "single shot" bottles?

m1ckDELTA · Jun 11, 2014

I'll be mixing up a gallon of D76 and will no doubt need it's 6 month shelf life since I'll only be doing two rolls at a time and 500ml (undiluted) will cover (literally) both. I'm wondering if I should worry too much about the amount of air that will remain in the gallon bottle after each use of 500ml. I'm considering distributing the D76 into smaller, opaque, 500ml Photographers' Formulary bottles after it's mixed to insure my stock lasts the full 6 months. Any opinions?

I realize bags of D76 are cheap but I'm not programmed to waste money, no matter the amount.

Thanks,

Mick

NDKodak · Jun 11, 2014

Are the cost of the glass bottles less then a bag of D-76? Or only mix up half the powder at a time.

Bill Burk · Jun 11, 2014

My favorite way to use a gallon of anything... four one quart size bottles. Fill three of them to the very top so there's barely a bubble...

The last one will be a bit short, don't try squeezing the bottle to take all its air out, just use that one first. Don't worry about the half-bottles you open up as you go along, with the right pace, you'll go through that in a few days... And still have some full bottles to open later. When you have one bottle left, mix another gallon.

GarageBoy · Jun 11, 2014

Don't mix up less than the entire packet
I second the 4 quart bottles (used 1+1, this is 4 rolls per bottle)
More annoying are the 5L XTOL packets

blaine.minazzi · Jun 11, 2014

glass marbles. take up the space and bring things to the top, eliminating air.

Pioneer · Jun 11, 2014

Seriously? Shoot more film or start using HC110.

m1ckDELTA · Jun 12, 2014

Pioneer said:
Seriously? Shoot more film or start using HC110.

"Seriously?"

HC110 and D76 have noticeably different characteristics. Also, I used D76 to develop my TriX 37 years ago and I liked it; used Dektol for my prints and liked it equally so. Since I was taking studying photography at the time and was producing a volume of work that necessitated a full darkroom at home I didn't concern myself with chemicals expiring. I'm not 14 years old anymore.

Today I spend most of my time at work and don't have the time to "shoot more film" during my limited free time. It's a wonder I'm still interested in photography considering my day job but I guess that's a benefit of being in Local 695 as opposed to Local 600.

I decided to compromise and just distribute the stock to four 32oz bottles. Done.

Thanks for the replies.

RattyMouse · Jun 12, 2014

Pioneer said:
Seriously? Shoot more film or start using HC110.

Absolutely. Shoot more film.

A bottle of HC-110 for the OP would last him several lifetimes at his rate.

Pioneer · Jun 12, 2014

m1ckDELTA said:
"Seriously?"

HC110 and D76 have noticeably different characteristics. Also, I used D76 to develop my TriX 37 years ago and I liked it; used Dektol for my prints and liked it equally so. Since I was taking studying photography at the time and was producing a volume of work that necessitated a full darkroom at home I didn't concern myself with chemicals expiring. I'm not 14 years old anymore.

Today I spend most of my time at work and don't have the time to "shoot more film" during my limited free time. It's a wonder I'm still interested in photography considering my day job but I guess that's a benefit of being in Local 695 as opposed to Local 600.

I decided to compromise and just distribute the stock to four 32oz bottles. Done.

Thanks for the replies.

You want to save money. The cost for D76 is already very, very low but can easily be offset by shooting more film.

I like D76 as well but HC110 keeps almost forever. One bottle, use it one shot. No need to buy additional bottles or marbles and then go through the effort of transferring to each bottle where spillage is possible. Besides, at the rate you are currently shooting I suspect you will go through all that headache and your developer will start to go bad anyway. As for any differences in the negatives, they will basically be undetectable, and at any rate can be dealt with through small changes in time or agitation.

But, it is certainly your choice.

RedSun · Jun 12, 2014

Since D-76 is so cheap, do not sweat so much about it. I'll divide the 1 gallon into liter bottles if you can find any. Glass bottles are better, but plastic is just fine. But I would not want to spend $20 for the bottles, just to save a few $.

Even with this, the D-76 can give you a lot of films. You can run through at least twice, then dilute it for one last time.

Again, D-76 is only $7 bag?

pentaxuser · Jun 12, 2014

Try decanting into wine-bags held within wine boxes or better still buy new bags and boxes that are sold from home-brew shops. You eliminate air when pushing in the dispenser and thereafter the bags simply collapses as liquid is drawn out and air cannot enter.

Best solution I have found so far. I keep Xtol in these without a problem.

pentauser

ROL · Jun 12, 2014

blaine.minazzi said:
glass marbles. take up the space and bring things to the top, eliminating air.

It's my firm belief that people who advocate volume displacement with marbles have lost theirs. No matter, we know where to find them.

Axle · Jun 12, 2014

I have seen D-76 in 1L packets, you could go for that. Or you can blend up your own D-76 from raw material: http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/Developers/Formulas/formulas.html

I personally use it from the 1 gallon jug and cut it 1+1, lasts a while, but I usually go through it before it's toast, or at least the majority of it.

fotch · Jun 12, 2014

smaller bottles

tkamiya · Jun 12, 2014

Before, I used to use 4 4oz bottles, 2 8oz bottles, and 2 16oz bottles. Mix the whole gallon and decant into these bottles. Start using from smaller bottles. Or, if I have two film to process, use 1 8oz bottle. When all smaller bottles are empty, transfer bigger bottles into smaller ones. That way, all bottles with chemicals always stayed full, and maximum exposure to air is limited to maximum of 3 very brief moments.

Now, I have whole bunch of 4oz bottles, so I just decant one 32oz and rest into 4oz bottles.

I use plastic bottles but am careful picking the right one. Works for me. Opinions, of course, vary a lot.

m1ckDELTA · Jun 14, 2014

pentaxuser said:
Try decanting into wine-bags held within wine boxes or better still buy new bags and boxes that are sold from home-brew shops. You eliminate air when pushing in the dispenser and thereafter the bags simply collapses as liquid is drawn out and air cannot enter.

Best solution I have found so far. I keep Xtol in these without a problem.

pentauser

Now, that, is a truly interesting and unique solution (not intended, maybe,.. mostly).

EDIT:

Just found this:

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/wine-on-tap-from-fermtech.html

"Processing On Tap"

Definitely cheaper (for smaller volumes) than this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/65732-REG/Arkay_603542_PRT_2FLC_Complete_Storage_Tank.html

D67: Use it from 1 gallon Datatainer or distro to smaller "single shot" bottles?

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