D76H - Stock or 1:1 ?

[Stew]

Hi everyone,

Lately I've been making D76H from raw chemicals and have been using the stock solution for my films. The results have been very good, but am I missing out on sharpness and tonality by not using it at the 1:1 ratio? If so, is the difference that great?

If it matters I'm using Agfa APX100.

Thanks.

 

[fschifano]

Not so much that you'd notice with modest enlargements. After that you might, and it becomes a choice of more sharply defined and noticeable grain over less. Only you can make that call, 'cause only you know what looks good to you.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Kodak's internal standard for all measurments of B&W products was D-76 stock. That is the recommended standard.

PE

 

[dancqu]

Lately I've been making D76H from raw chemicals
and have been using the stock solution for my films.
If it matters I'm using Agfa APX100.

D76H, minus that pinch of borax a D-23 with 33% of
the metol but 100% of the sulfite. For capacity it is
likely the most sulfite loaded of ANY developer. Is it
used one-shot? Dan

 

[Bruce Osgood]

I've been using the D-76H formula found in the APUG files 1+1 with the times and temperatures Kodak offers for their D-76. I use the dilute one shot in a Jobo. The stock solution seems to keep a long time.

Distilled Water 750 mL
Metol 2.50 g
Sodium Sulfite 100.00 g
Borax 2.00 g
Tap water to 1000 mL

I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[PhotoJim]

Try it. That's the best answer.

You will get better sharpness and acutance (and higher grain; they go together). Whether it's a good tradeoff is up to you.

Shoot a roll on some subjects, and shoot an identical roll. Develop each, one stock, one 1:1, and see.

 

[dancqu]

The stock solution seems to keep a long time.

Distilled Water 750 mL
Metol 2.50 g
Sodium Sulfite 100.00 g
Borax 2.00 g
Tap water to 1000 mL

I wouldn't change a thing.

Keeps a long time? I'd guess so as it is not much
more than a bottle of sodium sulfite solution.

A variation might be 7.5 grams metol + 100 grams
of sodium sulfite + perhaps 6 grams of borax.
A low sulfite D-76H.

Skip the borax. Make that 8 grams of metol and
80 grams of sodium sulfite and you've my formula
D-23. I use it 1:7, 500m, each 120 roll. Dan

 

[23mjm]

I prefer 1:1 it has longer development times----helps make my development more constant. Small time differences in processing are less of a % of the total time if it's a longer development time. It may not make much difference but makes me feel better plus the soup goes further!!!

 

[Uncle Bill]

I am a fan of the 1+1 ratio and I don't mind the slight increase in grain.

 

[dancqu]

I'm Reminded

g
I use it 1:7, 500m, each 120 roll. Dan

That above should read '500ml'. Minor matter
but I am reminded: What are the solution volumes
used. Some use this dilution, some that, but many
never bother to mention the amount. The amount
may vary considerabley; as little as 250ml for
35mm or even less with rotary and up to a
litter for stand development. Dan

 

[Igor Savchenko]

Dan,

Please, why are you back to D-23 (your version of it) after using so many other developers?
_______
Igor

 

[dancqu]

Dan, Please, why are you back to D-23 (your version of it)
after using so many other developers? Igor

I'm a minimalist to start, so metol plus sodium sulfite. I like
the look of the negatives, good gradation and compensation,
from a one bath developer. D-23 or my close clone, 8-80 grams,
at a 1:7 dilution is slow working; Acros-16 minutes with
3 inversions every other minute.

A few days at most prior to processing I compound it
1-10 grams metol-sulfite, then split to two small
bottles. Each 120 roll, 500ml. Dan

 

[Igor Savchenko]

Thanks, Dan.

 

[psvensson]

D-76H has rather poor storage characteristics, according to this study: http://www.udmercy.edu/crna/agm/phenvitc.htm. It's probably because it lacks the "self-replenishing" effect of hydroquinone reacting with the base.