Developing 2 rolls at once

hello,

I dont mind if I look very rookie for asking this, but are there some dangers that can be involved in developing 2 reels at once in the same tank? Im using Tmax developer+kodafix on 8 rolls of Tmax400, and I'd like to collect both solutions after each time I use them to reuse for all the rolls. Is this a good Idea? I dont have hypo check or replenisher so do you guys think reusing the solutions 8 times in a row will still work to their usual or maybe even slighty below usual capacity? I'm not a cheapskate or anything the problem is that I dont think I have enough dev and fixer left to use new solutions each time.
Thanks

P.S. Im not pushing the film so that should help right?

I do not know tmax developer at all. But soups like D76 can b e used for additional sets of film. Rule of thumb is 10 % additional time, each time, for each set of individual films. This is additive, remember. Kodafix is not a problem, although I do not think it is the best fixer for tmax films. After this film is gone, go to Tri-X. Trust me. It is more forgiving. BTW,does your chemistry have instructions packed with it? It should tell you about forcing capacities on that particular developer.

I got Kodafix because its hardening fixer and its one of the few thats allowed to be shipped via plane. Which Fixer do you recommend?
On the Kodak site, Tmax developer can be reused to develop 48 rolls. For the first 16 rolls they say that It need no addition time, this sounds kinda scary and I dont know if it was made to be used 8 times in 2 hours

Dear Jimi, Jim and Janis,

"are there some dangers that can be involved in developing 2 reels at once in the same tank?"

Yes, but they are small. Follow the instructions with your tank and you should be fine.

"Im using Tmax developer+kodafix on 8 rolls of Tmax400, and I'd like to collect both solutions after each time I use them to reuse for all the rolls."

Follow the Tmax developer data sheet religiously. I have used this developer in the manner you are speaking without problem (keep in mind that was about 10 years ago!).

"I dont have hypo check or replenisher..."

Hypo-check is for your fixer, not developer. TMax developer is its own replenisher. Check out the data sheet and you will be fine: http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/j86/j86.pdf

The good news is that unless you make some sort of gross mistake you will end up with something to print.

Good luck and have fun,

Neal Wydra

Jimi said:

I got Kodafix because its hardening fixer and its one of the few thats allowed to be shipped via plane. Which Fixer do you recommend?
On the Kodak site, Tmax developer can be reused to develop 48 rolls. For the first 16 rolls they say that It need no addition time, this sounds kinda scary and I dont know if it was made to be used 8 times in 2 hours

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******
I believe Kodak recommends their Rapid Fix with Tmax. It is an ammonium thiosulfate fixer. Kodafix, last time I looked, was sodium thiosulfite. I may be wrong. Maybe Kodak has changed recommendations. What do the directions say.

Dont do what I did last night. I was not paying attention and put two rolls of 35mm in the tank to process. The problem? One was Delta 400 and the other was HP5+. Some of the HP5+ were sorta low light photos I shot with my Lomograph (Indoors). From what I can tell, I botched it so much that half of the negatives just disappeared. This was with D-76 diluted 1:1.

I've never had any problems processing various "flavors" of film simultaneously. Ever. In fact, it's S.O.P. here. One session might be Neopan 400, Plus-X, and Efke 25 in the same batch, the next: Neopan 1600, Rollei Ortho 25, and HP5+.

It's been working just fine. Over the decades, I've fine-tuned my technique which allows me to shoot how I want (based on desired DoF &/or "look"), from each roll, then process everything together with no flaws whatsoever.

So don't give up on it, it can be a nice time-saver for you, once all the bugs are worked out.

Jimi said:

are there some dangers that can be involved in developing 2 reels at once in the same tank?

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I assume you are using 35mm. In which case you will need one reel per film and therefore, extra developer.

If it's 120 then you can get two films onto the same reel by taping them together. It's what I usually do.

The only danger is that of inventing new swear words as you try to load an un-cooperative film.


Steve.

Rolleijoe said:

I've never had any problems processing various "flavors" of film simultaneously. Ever. In fact, it's S.O.P. here. One session might be Neopan 400, Plus-X, and Efke 25 in the same batch, the next: Neopan 1600, Rollei Ortho 25, and HP5+.

Click to expand...

I have started to use Prescysol developer. This is a two part developer which needs the same developing time for any film. Ideal for mix and match situations like this.

http://www.monochromephotography.com/section255920_83798.html


Steve.

Steve Smith said:

I have started to use Prescysol developer. This is a two part developer which needs the same developing time for any film. Ideal for mix and match situations like this.

http://www.monochromephotography.com/section255920_83798.html


Steve.

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That's interesting.

I'm using either Rodinal @ 1:50 or HC-110 @ 1:50. These are my two standard developers, for completely different looks though. Mostly stick with Rodi though.

The HC is for portraits mainly, and that might be FP4+, HP5+ and Tri-X.

Steve Smith said:

The only danger is that of inventing new swear words as you try to load an un-cooperative film.


Steve.

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Good to know I'm not the only person that does that