Developing too fast

DieHipsterDie · Sep 7, 2006

Did a search but couldn't find the same problem.

How do I slow down paper development? Is it a simple matter of using a 1:4 (Dektol) ratio instead of 1:1. My prints fully develop in a matter of seconds and I need to work faster than I would like too.

L Gebhardt · Sep 7, 2006

Dektol should be diluted 1+2 so I suspect that is your problem.

Muihlinn · Sep 7, 2006

I do not use Dektol, so I can't tell about its dilutions, but going into a more diluted developer will affect to the contrast achieved softening it a bit (althought it might be barely noticeable). Watch the temperature, or soak the print into the developer then put it into a water bath and let it develop there by inspection.

Nick Zentena · Sep 7, 2006

When you say fully developed do you mean they're okay? Or do you mean they keep developing until black?

Bob F. · Sep 7, 2006

Paper develops "to completion" - i.e. leaving the prints in the developer for 2 or 3 times the nominal development time will not make any appreciable difference to them (usually that is: as always in life there are exceptions). They do not build up much more density in the way film does so there is no need to worry about leaving them in there for too long (within reason). Still, no point using developer more concentrated than necessary as it just wastes it.

In any event, RC paper will usually be fully developed in 30-45 seconds which is plenty fast enough. If they are going too dark then you are over exposing them and need to back off on the time under the enlarger.

Good luck, Bob.

DieHipsterDie · Sep 7, 2006

Nick Zentena said:
When you say fully developed do you mean they're okay? Or do you mean they keep developing until black?

Should they stop at a certain point? Or will the print keep going until it's black?

Oh yeah, I forgot that I use dektol at 2:1.

Stephanie Brim · Sep 7, 2006

1 part Dektol to 2 parts water. I hope that's what you mean.

DieHipsterDie · Sep 7, 2006

DieHipsterDie said:
Should they stop at a certain point? Or will the print keep going until it's black?

Oh yeah, I forgot that I use dektol at 2:1.

Bob just answered my question. Thanks!

DieHipsterDie · Sep 7, 2006

Stephanie Brim said:
1 part Dektol to 2 parts water. I hope that's what you mean.

Yes.

Donald Miller · Sep 7, 2006

Since papers are developed to completion, your symptoms indicate over exposure.

Bob F. · Sep 7, 2006

The Ilford/Harman site has a useful PDF for beginners: http://www.ilfordphoto.com/applications/page.asp?n=34 - select the Making a B&W Print pdf link (or click on the following link to download the PDF directly : http://www.ilfordphoto.com/applications/download.asp?n=390 ).

Cheers, Bob.

lee · Sep 7, 2006

I was gonna say reduce the amount of time the light is on under the enlarger but Senor Donald beat me to it.

lee\c

c6h6o3 · Sep 7, 2006

DieHipsterDie said:
Did a search but couldn't find the same problem.

How do I slow down paper development? Is it a simple matter of using a 1:4 (Dektol) ratio instead of 1:1. My prints fully develop in a matter of seconds and I need to work faster than I would like too.

How far down are you stopping the enlarger lens?

dancqu · Sep 10, 2006

DieHipsterDie said:
How do I slow down paper development?
Is it a simple matter of using a 1:4 (Dektol) ratio instead of 1:1.
My prints fully develop in a matter of seconds and I need to work
faster than I would like too.

My D-72 formula says 1:1. D-72 is by another name Dektol
and equal to it. I've not seen any disagreement with that.

I experiment with Home Brew developers and have tested
quite a few. For the purpose 5x7 paper is very handy. Save
for where I'm testing for the effects of concentration
I always use 125ml of solution. I can easily test with
half that amount by pre-wetting the paper.

If your in the dark as to what to expect from this or that
paper in this or that developer at some one concentration
or another, consider my approach.

As for your problem, I agree with many of the others.
If, after two minutes in your concentration of the developer
the print is over all too dark, reduce exposure. I know, less
time is indicated when using Dektol but two minutes will
eliminate any doubt.

BTW, greater dilution will slow development. I'd go as
far as 1:7 and see how it comes out after five minutes.
But then I use paper developer very dilute one-shot. Dan

Jim Jones · Sep 10, 2006

Some paper has an incorported developer, and the image comes up fast in developer. Other papers vary in the time the image appears. If the image idevelops in seconds, like Donald says overexposure is likely, probably much overexposure.

Ole · Sep 10, 2006

It's a good idea to standardise the developing time of both test strips and prints. I give all RC papers 90 seconds in the developer, FB 2 or 3 minutes depending on paper and developer. Never pull a print (or test strip) early because it "looks right" - it won't look right once it's fully processed, washed and dried. Process test strips fully, just as you intend to do with the final print. I know that this takes time that you would prefer to spend making prints, but it saves a lot of time and paper in the end.

Developing too fast

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