Developer Issue

[john341264]

Hi, I've been trying to print some images and iv been having issues with the developer.
I'm able to do one or two test strip fine but when I come to the next one the developer turns gray and has an unusual smell strange. also, the image turns gray.
Iv tried washing the jobo tank and still get the same issue any ideas whats going on?

 

[markbau]

Can you post some details about the developer? What developer are you using? Freshly mixed? Are you re-using the developer that you use for the test strips? Is there something that you are doing that may be contaminating the developer? We need more information.

 

[john341264]

It's freshly mixed, Ilford multigrade developer, yes it is being reused the developer from the test strip. It's a new bottle of dev and a new box of paper the only place I could think of that could be contaminating it is the jobo tank which I have dismantled and thoroughly cleaned out but i am still getting the same result.

 

[removed account4]

seems the tank you are using might be dirty and messing with your developer. is the jobo you are using a brand new thing or did you buy it used?
plastic is porous maybe something seeped in ... do you rinse/clean it well between chemicals and between uses ?
you should contact jobo to see how they recommend thoroughly cleaning their tanks... or if that is not an option maybe get a new tank/s....
good luck !
john

 

[john341264]

its used thanks for your help

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

May I ask why you're using a jobo tank to develop prints?

 

[MattKing]

May I ask why you're using a jobo tank to develop prints?

I sometimes use print tubes and rotary agitation to develop black and white RC prints, but I'm cognizant of the fact that the developer is prone to oxidize when I do.
I am using PolyMax T developer. Perhaps Multigrade developer is more susceptible to oxidization.

 

[john341264]

May I ask why you're using a jobo tank to develop prints?

Idleness, in all honesty, had got it already set up for processing films and couldn't be bothered to set the trays up.

 

[grahamp]

You have to use the minimum volume for the tank when doing rotary. If your test strip is smaller than the print size, you should be able to reuse at least once in a reasonable time.

Develop, drain to cylinder, stop/rinse, fix, rinse well.

Do you have a lift on the Jobo? If you are capturing solutions for reuse, you have to be sure the drain pipe is clean. Fix or stop in the developer could kill it. If you are using a manual drum, you still have to rinse everything, especially the drum cap, before the next cycle.

 

[john341264]

There has been an update with the dev when I went back to it, it had somewhat cleared and there was a powdery residue at the bottom I tryed to get a good pic but this was the best that i could get

 

[john341264]

You have to use the minimum volume for the tank when doing rotary. If your test strip is smaller than the print size, you should be able to reuse at least once in a reasonable time.

Develop, drain to cylinder, stop/rinse, fix, rinse well.

Do you have a lift on the Jobo? If you are capturing solutions for reuse, you have to be sure the drain pipe is clean. Fix or stop in the developer could kill it. If you are using a manual drum, you still have to rinse everything, especially the drum cap, before the next cycle.

cleaned everything when this happened the first time and don't have a lift for it

 

[drpsilver]

24 Sept 2019

John:

I think what you are seeing is neutralization of the developer by fix entrained/left in the processor. The strange smell you mention could be ammonia (from "rapid fix"), and the pile of precipitate shown in your last post could be sulfur, or one of many complexes formed during the fixing process. I would strongly suggest (1) rinse the processor very well between prints, or (2) use trays.

Edit: What baffles me is why the blue/black color of the solution.

Regards,
Darwin

 

[john341264]

Yes ammonia that's what it smells like I couldn't put my finger on it but that's exactly what it smells like.

 

[MattKing]

For clarity, it is very important that you fully clean the fixer (and stop bath) from the tank before you put in the next print.

 

[pentaxuser]

If you find Jobo tanks easier than small trays then I'd do the dev, stop, fix routine and then use the tank for a couple of print washes. Water swishing around while the tank revolves should clear any fix then drain it. It then remains to dry the tank completely and Jobo tanks have nooks and crannies that are difficult to dry but unless you do it thoroughly there is a danger that on insertion of the developer a streak of remaining water can run down the exposed print before the developer gets poured in. This may or may not create a problem for the development stage. It certainly does in the RA4 colour process. Maybe others who use tanks for B&W can comment.

Clearly if a water droplet or streak does not create a issue then thorough drying isn't a problem but if it is then the only way to avoid thorough drying is to pour the dev in first which dilutes any water to an insignificant level and then load the paper into the developer.

In my opinion and certainly for a session of say printing in double figures I'd have thought that trays were easier

pentaxuser

 

[RalphLambrecht]

cleaned everything when this happened the first time and don't have a lift for it

John, use trays like the rest of us; this is a very strange issue; never seen it.

 

[markbau]

I used to do tons of 20 x 24 prints in a Jobo and never had any issues. After fixing and selenium toning/HCA I always cycled about 6 jugs of water through before taking the print out and putting it into an archival washer.