Are you using one litre of working strength (1+14) or less?
No, I print normally. I make a new print every 15-30 minutes, depending on how long it takes me to inspect the previous prints and plan for the next one.Are you batch processing, so 40 prints straight after each other?
3 minutes at 23C, which is a room temperature for my chemistry. I don’t heat or cool it.What is your development time and temperature?
If prints are not reaching D-max, increasing time might get the litre closer to 40 prints.
Mark
1 liter (940+60ml).
I rounded the numbers to simplify the measurements since my beakers are marked in tens, so pinpointing .33 or .66 is tricky. I didn’t think it would make much of a difference, but I can try to measure more precisely using a syringe.That is actually 1 + 15.667 - which might have some effect.
Try decanting the developer into smaller glass or impermeable plastic - better than the stock bottles.
No, I’m talking about a single session. It wasn’t even left overnight in a capped bottle. It just sat in the tray for 6-7 hours during my printing session, and then it started to dull. I tried leaving one print in for 7 minutes instead of 3, but the blacks weren’t nearly as rich as they should be. Then I mixed a fresh solution, and it went back to normal.I use Bromophen, excellent capacity, but I don't keep working solution except in a full bottle and then overnight, maybe a week.
I keep stock in absolutely full 250ml bottles, dilute 1+3 for use.
As long as you are not leaving developer sitting in open trays overnight, sounds like you have a great process
3 minutes is great development time, takes patience.
The one thing difficult to pin down is how old is the bottle from Ilford.
A couple years ago when Tetenal got into trouble I decided to buy a couple extra boxes of Bromophen, small NYC shop, one had been sitting so long it had been made in England, that box was at least 15 years old.
I use Ilford multigrade developer diluted 1:9 in 10" X 8" trays at about 1 Litre dilution content. I would expect to get no more than about 20 10" X 8" prints in a session.
So you are having problems with developer left in a tray?
If so, that isn't surprising.
The developer is interacting with the air.
Either bottle it between uses, or sometimes you can use cling film on top of the solution to help a bit.
With some trays, you can use another tray stacked on top as an informal top.
There are even people who use Tupperware type containers for the purpose, because of their sealable lids.
Is it a problem if the developer sits in the tray for a 6-7 hour session? I thought that was normal. I always put it back in the bottle when I finish, but I assumed it’s okay for it to sit in the tray during the session.
It is a problem - too much air gets into it.
That is a very long continuous time for such a small number of prints.
If you are going to work for that length of time, either incorporate some sort of cover, or investigate an approach that incorporates replenishment.
It sounds very much like developer exhaustion partly due to use and partly due to developer oxidation.
I believe the capacity numbers supplied by Ilford is for batch processing.
It sounds very much like developer exhaustion partly due to use and partly due to developer oxidation.
I believe the capacity numbers supplied by Ilford is for batch processing.
It would seem a pity that if MG developer isn't capable of lasting 6-7 hours of continuous processing without deterioration that they don't say what the maximum time.
I have never tried 6-7 hours continuous processing and use a Nova processor anyway but I don't think I'd naturally assume that less than 6 hours was the maximum I could use an open tray for one continuous session
pentaxuser
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Personally, I shifted from MG dev to Bromophen mainly due to my experience with keeping properties.
It sounds very much like developer exhaustion partly due to use and partly due to developer oxidation.
I believe the capacity numbers supplied by Ilford is for batch processing.
Actually, the Ilford data sheet does say:I think the reason is evident. The OP is diluting the developer beyond what Mfg suggests and leaving it in an open tray for a long time. I would suggest 1+9 as an obvious quick fix.
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