Does temp of diafine change density of negs?

[rpavich]

I mixed up a batch of diafine and shot a bunch of rolls while on my vacation. I developed them Sunday and my house was a few degrees below the temp range of 70 deg f - 85 deg f Normally I'd have just dev'd at 65 deg but I wanted the negs to be as well developed as I could get and didn't want to chance having a problem so I warmed the A and B parts up to 75 deg.
Well, my negs came out dense and contrasty. My contact sheets printed on a 2 or 1 filter. It's not a disaster but in the past, they certainly were more thin and low contrast using Diafine.

Does the temp affect the density of the negs?

 

[MattKing]

In my experience, Diafine doesn't like cold temperatures, and yields underdeveloped negatives.
Once you get past a certain point (~68 F) though, it isn't very sensitive to temperature variation.
Is there any chance you have been using it at too low a temperature in the past?

 

[rpavich]

In my experience, Diafine doesn't like cold temperatures, and yields underdeveloped negatives.
Once you get past a certain point (~68 F) though, it isn't very sensitive to temperature variation.
Is there any chance you have been using it at too low a temperature in the past?

Ahh..I'm sure that's what's happened in the past then. I assumed that that was "normal" and that my now "beefy" negs were aberrations.
I can't wait to print them...the contact sheets look great.

 

[bvy]

My experience is that, in spite of what the data sheet says, Diafine on the warm side will have an effect on density. I processed a roll of Tri-X shot in a Holga at ~80F and was rewarded with 12 black boxes.

 

[rpavich]

My experience is that, in spite of what the data sheet says, Diafine on the warm side will have an effect on density. I processed a roll of Tri-X shot in a Holga at ~80F and was rewarded with 12 black boxes.

Good to know I guess. I'll try and keep it to 70 deg or just above. Even 75 wasn't that bad, I just expected more thin negs.

 

[Ozxplorer]

A question: did you take notice of the Diafine recommended film ISO speed ratings or did you use film “box” speed? Diafine is a compensating developer hence, generally, contrast is not an issue whereas density is related to exposure. Possibly you’ve overexposed...?

 

[rpavich]

A question: did you take notice of the Diafine recommended film ISO speed ratings or did you use film “box” speed? Diafine is a compensating developer hence, generally, contrast is not an issue whereas density is related to exposure. Possibly you’ve overexposed...?

Some i shot at the recommended speed and some box speed. They all were the same.

PS: i started printing last night, they print beautifully on grade 2 filter consistently. Whatever happened, it was good.

 

[Ozxplorer]

Some i shot at the recommended speed and some box speed. They all were the same.

PS: i started printing last night, they print beautifully on grade 2 filter consistently. Whatever happened, it was good.

Grin... can’t argue with that! Importantly, you are happy with the result!

 

[ITKI]

...so, in general, it's not really necessary to adjust times with Diafine, if temperature is within the recommended range, am I getting this right?

 

[bvy]

...so, in general, it's not really necessary to adjust times with Diafine, if temperature is within the recommended range, am I getting this right?

I would stick to processing between 68F and 75F which, for most of us, is room temperature. No need to adjust times within this range. The nature of the two bath processing makes it, in effect, a "to completion" developer.

 

[ITKI]

Thanks for the feedback @bvy !