Developer question

[robbalbrecht]

So I've got all the hardware for my little darkroom and all my chemicals - thank you very much Freestyle! Great service and fast shipping BTW

I've got some Arista Film Developer -the New and Improved Formula- and I'm wondering is it better to mix it all up into a gallon jug or just mix it as I need it? Is it really just a personal preference? I'll probably process one roll a week right now so we're not talking a huge volume at this point. Also, is this stuff reusable? I thought when the developer comes out of the tank it's dead but I've read that some developers are reusable.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Welcome to the club!

I suggest to mix it all at once and then fill it into smaller containers. Many developers can be reused, some only after replenishment, but I prefer to use them one-shot for consistency. Of course, this is very wasteful with inversion development, which is why I've converted to rotation processing.

 

[removed account4]

i haven't ever used it ... but it looks like it is a stock solution that you mix it 1:9 as you need it ...

if there are directions for "replenishment" you can mix a bunch of it at once
and after a certain amount of films run through it you take some out and replenish it as needed.
if there aren't instructions for replenishment, you might call freestyle and ask them
or use it as a 1-shot developer ..

have fun !
john

 

[robbalbrecht]

Just finished a roll of 135 and mixed up the developer and stop into gallon jugs. As soon as it's dark I can unload film and try out this crazy process. Can't wait to see what I get.

 

[Rick A]

Just finished a roll of 135 and mixed up the developer and stop into gallon jugs. As soon as it's dark I can unload film and try out this crazy process. Can't wait to see what I get.

Um... what are you doing for fixer? You can do without stop, but fixing is essential to the process. You can decant the developer to smaller bottles, make sure they are filled to the top to exclude air, make sure the caps seal tightly also. You can decant the fixer to two bottles(1/2 gal each) to have it last longer, as it is reusable. If you are going to print, you need seperate fix for that, keep it seperate from film fix.

 

[robbalbrecht]

Well I did one roll this morning before I went to work. Looks like I got some good negatives!! I feel a little rough with the process right now but I'm sure it will smooth out with more experience. I think I'm hooked.

Rick, I mixed just enough fixer for the job. I don't have another jug to put it in right now.

 

[MattKing]

Well I did one roll this morning before I went to work. Looks like I got some good negatives!! I feel a little rough with the process right now but I'm sure it will smooth out with more experience. I think I'm hooked.

Rick, I mixed just enough fixer for the job. I don't have another jug to put it in right now.

Glad it went well.

Plastic, one and two liter (soda) pop bottles are excellent for storing fixer.

Be sure to rinse them (including caps) very well, and mark them very, very clearly as not for human consumption.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

...

Plastic, one and two liter (soda) pop bottles are excellent for storing fixer.

Be sure to rinse them (including caps) very well, and mark them very, very clearly as not for human consumption.

I wouldn't do it. Ask your pharmacist for chemical storage containers. I found them to be amazingly cheap and safe.

 

[robbalbrecht]

I'm going to order some Acros 100 from Freestyle so I'll just get another jug from them. I've got a couple other little things to get too. I just scanned a couple of the images and they really do look great. I can't believe I truly made these images.

On a side note I called the local hazardous waste place about dropping off chemical with them. Turns out the guy I was talking to is a photography buff from years back. I may have convinced him to dust off his old AE1 and get his darkroom going again.