Developing time preference

Ok I admit I am new to this so not really sure of the answer. Is it or when is it better to develop slower rather than faster. If I use D76 stock the time would be faster/sooner than longer than if I was using a 1:1 dilurion. I use a generic D76 solution and just wondering. Yup I also understand that since I am doing film, whats the hurry, just relax.

Thanks
Rick
Long Beach CA

I suppose the question is what else besides time will be affected by diluting D76?

Me thinks Saganich has asked the real question here....

I think a few test rolls are in order, see the difference for your self.

Faster development times give much less margin for error, and make minor adjustments nearly impossible.

Sooo Jason, if I use a diluted solution, does this mean that I do not have to be as exact on my process time. When I say exact I mean a 5 seconds either way. The charts and books say XX.X time and not a +-. I know it will all come in time. Heck the last time I spent this much time doing film was back in the early 70's.. if I remember correct!

Rick-in-LB said:

Sooo Jason, if I use a diluted solution, does this mean that I do not have to be as exact on my process time. When I say exact I mean a 5 seconds either way. The charts and books say XX.X time and not a +-. I know it will all come in time. Heck the last time I spent this much time doing film was back in the early 70's.. if I remember correct!

Click to expand...

Well, look at it this way... with a development time of 4 minutes, 15 seconds is 6% of the time. You have begun to expand or contract the film, throw in a temperature error and you have lost control.

15 seconds is about 2% of 10 minutes. You'd be hard pressed to find a difference even with a densitometer. Another 15 seconds or degree of temp and you are still within only minor density changes. I like big windows. Easier to crawl through.

Increasing the dilution of D-76 also decreases the concentration of sodium sulfite in the mix. Sodium sulfite is a silver solvent that eats away at the grain, giving the image a softer look. Diluting the stock solution will give you a sharper-looking image and a bit more apparent grain in addition to a longer developing time. Many people dilute D-76 1:1 as their standard working solution, some will dilute it up to 1:3. There are a lot of threads on D-76 dilutions and developer dilution in general if you search this forum.

Peter Gomena

As Peter G. says, diluting the developer doesn't only affect the development time. There are other things happening too and some people have researched the phenomena quite a lot.
Some word of advice. Summing up what J Brunner and others says, it's a good idea to dilute D-76 at 1:1 as it gives you more margin for timing error. Just don't forget that by diluting D76 it becomes a one-shot developer and you cannot save it and use it again.
Also, stay with one developer and one dilution until you understand what is happening. The next thing to do isn't to test a lot of different material, but to learn how to adjust your way of working etc. to produce good prints. I.e. finding your own personal film developing times etc. There is a lot to learn, but also a lot of nice pictures along the way.

//Björn

Thanks to all. I think I understand it a lot better now.

Rick

Rick-in-LB said:

Yup I also understand that since I am doing film,
whats the hurry, just relax. Thanks

Click to expand...

Like to experiment? Take that D-76 to 1:7, 500ml per
120 or equivalent. Agitate at start and each 2 minutes
there after, 16 to 20 minutes. I've had good results
from D-23 with same processing. Dan

Soooo at 1:7 how would I calculate the times? Lets say for tmax or delta 100 and 400. Heck it is worth a try.

Rick

Rick-in-LB said:

Soooo at 1:7 how would I calculate the times?
Lets say for tmax or delta 100 and 400. Heck
it is worth a try. Rick

Click to expand...

No problem. No calculating needed. Trial and Error,
the only way to go. That's the way it is with a new
developer or dilution. Even if time/temperature/
agitation tables are used, a test or tests are
needed to assure.

As a starting point, I use 500ml of solution with Acros
120, time and agitation per my previous post. Oh, 72
to 75 degrees. As a clue to time, check the MDC to
see how the films you intend to use compare with
other films. Are yours to test quick or slow
compared to the ones you know or are
listed in the chart?

A new one for the MDC. Perhaps I should contribute.
I believe that is the way the chart has been built,
by contribution. Dan