Ilfotec DD (not DD-X)

[mgb74]

I was gifted a 1 gal jug of Ilfotec DD developer (not sure of it's age). I know it's for machine processing with replenishment and normally requires a "starter" solution. But the data sheet does have instructions for use without the starter chemical.

Tried a clip of HP5 to make sure it was still good. Used the times for iso 400, but I exposed at 320 as I normally do. The negs seem a slight bit dense but quite usable. I can dial in times based on my agitation procedure.

Any information on use in small tanks? And in particular, capacity? Based on the data sheet I should be able to reuse with a slight increase in development time. But not sure if this would apply to use in small tanks.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

I'm in the same boat as you with a gallon of DD on my hands. I think using the developer replenished is probably best, with maybe a pretty large working solution, like two liters or so. Replenish 50ml fresh developer per 135-36 equivalent.

Today I'm trying some HP5+ and I'm going to start at 75 degrees F, for 7 minutes, with agitation 5s every 30s. I will season the stock developer with some rolls of film I have lying around, 5 rolls for 10 minutes with the lights on. I'm going to use a 2 liter working solution, and see how it goes. I'm sure the replenished developer will be beautiful.

If you dilute the developer I would use maybe 1+4 like DD-X and discard. Use the same starting times as DD-X, and adjust as needed.

 

[mgb74]

Curious to see what your experience is. I've been using 7 min at 70 deg F with 1:4 dilution. But I would expect that replenishment - which is the intended approach with DD - should be better.

FWIW, here's my personal "data sheet" (however I've only tested with HP5+):

Times at 70oF:
Film Minutes Film Minutes
Ilford HP5+ @ 400 7.0 Kodak Tri-X @ 400 7.5
Ilford FP4+ @ 125 8.5 Kodak Tmax 400 @ 400 8.5
Ilford PanF @ 50 5.5 Kodak Tmax 100 @ 100 7.5
Ilford Delta 100 @ 100 9.5 Kodak Plus-X @ 125 8.0
Ilford Delta 400 @ 400 7.0 Fuji Neopan 400 @ 400 7.5
Arista EDU 400 @ 400 9.0 Fuji Acros 100 @ 100 9.0


Replenishment:
36mm 36exp 50ml
36mm 24exp 35ml
120 50ml
2x3 x 4 20ml
4x5 x 4 50ml