D76 Replenished and Tmax 100

[Don_ih]

So, a while ago I mixed up D76 (from bulk chemicals) and the replenisher for it. I have been successfully developing and adding replenisher, using films like hp5+ and Kentmere 400 and Foma 400. Yesterday, I developed a 36-exposure roll of Tmax 100, added about 25ml of replenisher before pouring the used developer back in.

Today, I wanted to test a lens (one I was talking about in another thread, actually) so cut a short strip of PlusX and shot it. Then I developed it. It came out quite underdeveloped. Not so bad it can't be printed (for the most part) but still it looked like it was pulled a stop.

So I looked up about Tmax and replenished D76 and came across Kodak's recommendations. Turns out I should have used 70ml of replenisher for that roll. So, I bumped up the stock solution, shot another roll of PlusX, and that seems to be pretty much fine.

However, I am concerned about the iodide that Tmax potentially dumps into the developer, and whether or not that will ruin the stock solution.

For now, my conclusion is I will not be developing any more Tmax in my replenished D76.

 

[MattKing]

Are you making D-76 replenisher from a recipe, or are you using old stock of the Kodak made stuff?
Is there any chance you are running up against the warnings about using the mixed up replenisher no longer than 4 weeks, and the original working solution plus added replenisher for no more than 9600 square inches of film per gallon?

 

[RalphLambrecht]

So, a while ago I mixed up D76 (from bulk chemicals) and the replenisher for it. I have been successfully developing and adding replenisher, using films like hp5+ and Kentmere 400 and Foma 400. Yesterday, I developed a 36-exposure roll of Tmax 100, added about 25ml of replenisher before pouring the used developer back in.

Today, I wanted to test a lens (one I was talking about in another thread, actually) so cut a short strip of PlusX and shot it. Then I developed it. It came out quite underdeveloped. Not so bad it can't be printed (for the most part) but still it looked like it was pulled a stop.

So I looked up about Tmax and replenished D76 and came across Kodak's recommendations. Turns out I should have used 70ml of replenisher for that roll. So, I bumped up the stock solution, shot another roll of PlusX, and that seems to be pretty much fine.

However, I am concerned about the iodide that Tmax potentially dumps into the developer, and whether or not that will ruin the stock solution.

For now, my conclusion is I will not be developing any more Tmax in my replenished D76.

In my experienceD76 works best and most reliably 1+1 as one shot!

 

[Don_ih]

@MattKing - I am running up against the addition of potassium iodide into my replenished D76 from the Tmax film. I would have difficulty getting to 2400 square inches (I made a litre) since one 36 exposure roll is 80 square inches - I have not even come close to 10 36 exposure rolls yet (I normally shoot 15-20 exposure rolls).

The D76 is made according to the normal D76 recipe (the one Kodak published eons ago) - as is the replenisher recipe. If you are going to make the replenisher from bulk chemistry, you have to make the D76 in the same way, since you need to match the alkali in the developer and there's no way to know if the packaged stuff used borax or sodium metaborate (aka, Kodalk).

In my experienceD76 works best and most reliably 1+1 as one shot!

That's what I've done for a long time, but it's wasteful. And, frankly, I've found the results are better (in terms of tonality) this way. I am more consistently getting negatives that would enlarge to grade 2 very easily.

 

[nosmok]

Echoing your experience (I'm a Caffenol person): I find that Tmax films, by whatever mechanism, tend to leave my developers quite spent. For non-Tmax films I can easily get 2 rolls per batch of developer (without replenishing) to the same 'look' when exposed under the same conditions. Bitter experience with Tmax makes me develop them only as 1-shot. I love both TMX and TMY, but they're certainly not the 'low-priced spread'!

 

[Don_ih]

I've had these rolls of Tmax for years - got them on clearance due to them just having expired. I've always been wary of developing them - and I won't let another roll touch my replenished D76. Luckily, the roll did develop fine.

I'd say, Tmax is definitely a case for using the recommended amount of developer specified by Kodak, though - when they say the minimum amount per roll. One 36mm roll will kill 250 ml of stock D76 in 6.5 minutes. I'd be very hesitant developing it in 250ml of 1:1.