Developing Variables

Now that I have run 5 rolls of film through my tank, I am wondering a bit more about the variables in the developing process. Could someone please explain to me these variables and how they affect the final product? In my particular case I'm using D-76 as my developer.

Developing time (more time/less time)
Agitation (more/less)
Developer concentration (stock vs 1:1/1:2, etc).

Temperature is a variable that mostly controls developing time. I am not concerned with speeding up my developing time so this is not interesting to me. But does temperature control any other part of developing (such as grain size?).

Thanks for any thoughts!

Deveop winthin 68-75 degrees

Temperature requirements vary depending on process, some color work likes it hot while some pyro formulations will die from oxidization if run too hot. I wouldn't call it a variable to play around with unless you're really paying attention.

This is like a whole book of information you're looking for! You best starting place is to just pick a subject to search and read through some threads to get a handle on what people are currently discussing and then start asking specific questions on items you don't understand.

the developer makes little difference the film choice is the big control.
D76 is cheap fine grain close to D96 the cine film equivalent
hold all solutions as close to dev temp as you can to avoid any temp change which can damage a lot

stock is finest grain
1:3 sharpest

but you need tripod and large enlargement of formal test target to see this

so dev yourself is more convenient less scratches and dust

I use microphen but only cause I have allergies not for 1/3 stop speed increase which you won't notice without a step wedge

if you used panf you need to think about low contrast dev but you would not see grain...

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Dear RattyMouse,

Go to the Kodak Technical Publications site and download any of the Tri-X or T-Max data sheets. In those sheets you will find pages that show how the characteristic curve changes with time and how the contrast index changes with time and developer.

At least one book that talks about the zone system would be a good idea as well but I don't know what your access is to those sorts of things. The Negative (Ansel Adams) is still in print an available new. A Kodak Black and White Darkroom Dataguide is handy as well.

Finally, nothing beats taking three rolls of film and doing a quick experiment. Shoot and develop one each using the following: Underexpose by one stop and increase developing time, normal exposure and development, over-expose and reduce developing time. Xtol is really handy for this as the time details are all worked out for you on the data sheet. It is amazing how obvious it all becomes, at least in a general sense once you look at and print negatives of comparable scenes from each roll.

Have fun,

Neal Wydra

Shorter time or less agitation: less contrast. More time or more agitation: more contrast.

If you would like to know more, consider learning about characteristic curves, as suggested by others. And well done for making the first, big step.

RattyMouse said:

Now that I have run 5 rolls of film through my tank, I am wondering a bit more about the variables in the developing process. Could someone please explain to me these variables and how they affect the final product? In my particular case I'm using D-76 as my developer.

Developing time (more time/less time)
Agitation (more/less)
Developer concentration (stock vs 1:1/1:2, etc).

Temperature is a variable that mostly controls developing time. I am not concerned with speeding up my developing time so this is not interesting to me. But does temperature control any other part of developing (such as grain size?).

Thanks for any thoughts!

Click to expand...

The best thing to do is to use one of the manufacturers' recommended time, temp, and agitation procedure. If you're not happy with the results, change only one variable at a time, like developing time is likely the first thing to change. You basically change contrast by changing developing time, all other things being equal.
Massage your developing times until you have the results you like the most.

If you're still not happy, you have to quantify what it is you're not happy with, and try to solve it with more specific questions. Tonality is the easiest thing to control. Grain is not controlled very easily and is largely a function of the film. There is difference between FX-37 and Microdol-X for sure, but the film affects the outcome of grain more than the developer.

Also keep in mind that most films and developers were designed to make negatives that print in the darkroom. If you don't use darkroom printing to make your prints, you are missing half of the equation. Digital scanning technology is very fine and wonderful results are possible, but film, film developers, and paper and their developers really are one big system where film developing results are related to what results in a print. Negatives and their characteristics are designed to match those of photo papers, and vice versa.

Start with simple adjustments. Adjust small amounts. Start with developing time and exhaust that possibility before moving on to the next parameter.

RattyMouse said:

Now that I have run 5 rolls of film through my tank, I am wondering a bit more about the variables in the developing process. Could someone please explain to me these variables and how they affect the final product? In my particular case I'm using D-76 as my developer.

Developing time (more time/less time)
Agitation (more/less)
Developer concentration (stock vs 1:1/1:2, etc).

Temperature is a variable that mostly controls developing time. I am not concerned with speeding up my developing time so this is not interesting to me. But does temperature control any other part of developing (such as grain size?).

Thanks for any thoughts!

Click to expand...

Developing time = More time gives more contrast in the negative and resulting prints. Less time gives less contrast.
Agitation = More gives more contrast, etc.
Concentration = For beginners, less concentration frequently leads to under-development of the middle portion of the negatives due to exhaustion. So you get a bands of what looks like over-development along the outer edges of the film.

It is truly key to remember these adjustments are meant to improve the the print or the ease of printing.

I agree fully with Thomas, one variable at a time and then print it.

When I'm doing this I always try to remember that what I'm figuring out is how to manipulate characteristics not define good or bad.

The characteristics you may want for a boudoiur shot and a formal portrait of the same person may be considerably different.

Testing each change allows you to build a "tool kit" to work with.

Ask yourself:

Did the change make any difference?
Does it work well for this shot?
Where else might this work?
More or less?

RattyMouse said:

Now that I have run 5 rolls of film through my tank, I am wondering a bit more about the variables in the developing process. Could someone please explain to me these variables and how they affect the final product? In my particular case I'm using D-76 as my developer.

Developing time (more time/less time)
Agitation (more/less)
Developer concentration (stock vs 1:1/1:2, etc).

Temperature is a variable that mostly controls developing time. I am not concerned with speeding up my developing time so this is not interesting to me. But does temperature control any other part of developing (such as grain size?).

Thanks for any thoughts!

Click to expand...

development has numerous variables,including the stellar positions of heavenly bodies.
good luck

Xmas said:

the developer makes little difference the film choice is the big control.
...

Click to expand...

Amen.the voice of exerience!

Thanks for all the very informative replies!!