D76 agitation preference.

[Mike Kennedy]

I was given a bunch of D76 powder packages and was wondering if any member uses an agitation method that differs from Kodak (4 inversions each 30 sec.).

Thank You

 

[Pinholemaster]

I prefer to agitate for the first 30 seconds, and then 5 seconds every minute, with a twist of the tank after each agitation.

Your results may vary. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear. You get the picture. Whatever works for your ideal negative.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

If you develop using 1+1, and your times are getting above 5mins, you might want to agitate for 10s every minute, instead of 5s every 30s. That's what I use with XTOL.

 

[Travis Nunn]

I agitate the first 30 seconds and then 10 seconds (5 inversions) every minute

 

[Dietmar Wolf]

Hi.

I use HP5 with ID11 1+2.

I wrote already a thread about it.

First i used Kodak agitation, first 30 sec, then every 30 sec 2 inversions.

Then I change to Ilford first minute, then every minute 4 times.

Result for me: I think, that Kodak method is sharper and the grain is much better structured, finer.

(HP5 ASA 320, 14:30min 1+2)

 

[nworth]

Agitation turns out to be a very personal thing. My technique (just lift the tank and rotate my wrist half a turn to the right, then half a turn to the left, the set down the tank and turn it a bit) looks far more gentle than what others use, but when I do it, it is at least as violent. The point is, you have to work it out for yourself. Start with a commonly recommended method (or the one you have been using). If your negatives come out overdeveloped, ease off; if they are underdeveloped, either increase the development time or be more vigorous. An important point is to give enough initial agitation to dislodge any air bubbles. (I just rap the tank on the bench and give it a couple of inversions.)

 

[SPS731]

My agitation method was learned when I worked in a custom B&W lab. I processed all roll film in tall stainless steel reel tanks (4 rolls of 120, or 8 rolls of 35mm per tank) by hand. Usually in D-76 1:1.

Start with a water pre-soak for at least 30 seconds. This is a good practice because it takes longer to fill the larger tank through the cap.

Once the developer is poured into the tank, give it a few good wraps on the counter to dislodge any air bubbles. Immediately start your tank inversions. The agitation is fairly vigorous. Initial agitation is for 30 seconds. The inversion rate is about one complete inversion (over and back) per second.

Subsequent agitation is 5 - 7 seconds every 60 seconds. Four inversions during the 5 - 7 second agitation period, with a bit of a drop at the end of the inversion. I also gave the tank a half twist during each inversion. Alternate the twist clockwise, then counterclockwise, on each inversion. Wrap the tank a couple of times on the counter after each cycle to dislodge any air bubbles.

Twenty seconds before the development time was up I would start draining the developer out of the tank.

I could process 4 tanks at the same time by having each tank's agitation cycle start at 15 second intervals (00, 15 sec, 30 sec, and 45 sec). I would stagger my start times so that I had 30 seconds between the ending time of each tank.

This process gave us wonderful and evenly processed negatives, even though the agitations were more vigorous than I had been used to.

Whatever method you decide to use, keep in mind that consistency is the key. Use the same method every time and remember that your agitation rate affects contrast.

Your negatives will show you if your technique is working. Too vigorous of agitation will give you streaks from the reels, and too little agitation will give you mottling.

As Nworth stated above: agitation is a very personal thing. Good luck.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

4 inversions every minute. That's what I used when I still used D76.