D76 Questions

[Odot]

As much as i didnt wanna use any powder developer, the results of D76 with TRI-X looks really good so i just bought me a small pack which makes up 1000ml of developer so i have several questions:

- How often can the mix be used? Package says 6 month solution life but is this also realistic to use it 6 months as often as i want?

- As for the temperature, what if the temperature is higher or lower than needed? Whats the workaround on this?

- Whats the best way to store the mix in order to use it as long as possible? I will keep the D76 mix stored in a chemicals bottle inside a box with the other chemicals

- since i mostly develop one film in my tank, would it make more sense to only pour what i need and pour it back in the container? How does the used mix interact with the mix that wasnt used (at first use)?

- What about bubbles in developer? While we at it, what should consider when using the mix again after a while?

Thanks a lot!

 

[Jim Noel]

It makes more sense to use it once and discard it. I,and many other people, dilute it 1+1 and use it as a single shot.

 

[jeffreyg]

My suggestions:
Mix according to Kodak instructions to make the stock solution with distilled water.
Store the stock solution in a brown glass bottle (ie a pharmacy bottle) filled to the top. Best to use bottles holding the amount that will make the working solution for one session.
Date the bottles.
Use diluted 1:1 ONCE according to the film instructions for time and temperature. Discard after a single use. Once you are familiar with it, variations in development time for increased contrast can be made.
Proper agitation and rapping the tank after agitating should prevent bubbles on the film.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[Doremus Scudder]

Odot,

You need to be aware that there are two things that affect the lifespan of developers: exhaustion due to use (using up the active ingredient so there's not enough left to do the job) and degradation due to oxidation (which destroys the active ingredient). Both of these are at work when we are using the chemistry. When it's just sitting stored, however, just the latter is at work. You can see that storage is important. If you reduce exposure to air (oxygen), then the shelf life will be proportionally longer. And, you can see that there is a limited number of films/prints that can be developed in a given amount of developer, even if it is fresh.

So, pay attention to the capacity (usually listed by the manufacturer as x-many rolls per liter/gallon) AND to shelf life for whatever storage conditions you have (e.g., "half-full tightly-stoppered bottle").

By the way, these are printed on the package that your D-76 comes in...

One more aside: If you like the look of D-76 but really want a liquid-concentrate developer, look to HC-110. The concentrate has an almost indefinite shelf life and working solutions can be mixed directly from the concentrate without making an intermediate stock solution (using a syringe or pipette to measure the concentrate). HC-110 was formulated by Kodak to give results similar to D-76.

Best,

Doremus

 

[chassis]

I use D-76 1+2 with reduced agitation, one shot. This means the developer is poured down the drain after use.

Don't worry about bubbles. But don't unnecessarily create them, for example by shaking the storage bottle. It accelerates oxidation.

I store chemicals in PET beverage bottles. 1 liter and 0.5 liter size bottles are easily found. Squeeze the bottle so the chemical comes to the very top, then screw the cap tightly. PET is more oxygen resistant than PE which most traditional plastic photo chemical storage bottles were made from.

 

[Odot]

Hello Everyone, heres my first results. Your input is welcome

http://imgur.com/a/eStBr

 

[Petraio Prime]

Hello Everyone, heres my first results. Your input is welcome

http://imgur.com/a/eStBr

How were these printed? If you scanned rather than printed, that would explain why they are so contrasty and grainy. Tri-X should show no grain at this size when printed in an enlarger.


It seems that many people don't actually know what a good print looks like. The quality obtainable from today's films is extraordinary. With careful technique and good enlarging equipment, stunning enlargements are possible from 35mm Tri-X and HP5.