Increasing Contrast On Negative During Devlopment

[IanBarber]

I am slowly starting to get more familiar now with the developing process of my 120 roll film. I have settled on a single developer and 2 types of film to learn from them.

When it comes to agitation, does contrast increase the more often you agitate or the more vigorous you agitate.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Yes.

Assuming all other things being equal:
More vigorous agitation increases contrast.
More frequent agitation increases contrast.

 

[IanBarber]

Thank you

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Since increasing agitation can lead to problems it is not the recommended method of increasing film contrast. It is better to maintain normal agitation and increase the total development time.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Since increasing agitation can lead to problems it is not the recommended method of increasing film contrast. It is better to maintain normal agitation and increase the total development time.

Absolutely agree with the notion that more vigorous agitation can cause problems, but more frequent agitation is not going to cause any problems. My normal agitation is 5s every 30s - but if you use PMK Pyro it's recommended to agitate every 15s, and the negatives are still very evenly developed.

 

[IanBarber]

The reason for my question is that I have settled on using HC110 diluted to H (1:63) and I do 2 slow inversions every 30 seconds. I just wanted to confirm that doing the 2 slow inversions every 30 seconds was not going to be problamatic.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

The reason for my question is that I have settled on using HC110 diluted to H (1:63) and I do 2 slow inversions every 30 seconds. I just wanted to confirm that doing the 2 slow inversions every 30 seconds was not going to be problamatic.

Everything about describing agitation is subjective. Slow in one person's mind is snail's pace in another person's mind, and too fast in someone else's mind...

As long as your agitation works, then it's fine. As long as you get evenly developed negatives, you're doing fine. Shoot some frames using Sunny 16 of a clear blue sky, and see how you do. Adjust agitation technique as necessary.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Whether you do 2 inversions every 30 s or 4 inversions every minute doesn't seem to make much difference. Depending on the developer manufacturer you will see either one methods or the other.

 

[gone]

Two inversions every 30 seconds (and one the last minute) is my standard agitation cycle.

Except for Rodinal :}

 

[Julie McLeod]

Two inversions every 30 seconds (and one the last minute) is my standard agitation cycle.

Except for Rodinal :}

I'm curious...what's your agitation scheme for Rodinal?

 

[rwreich]

I use the spindle that comes with the patterson tank. My method is to oscilate between clockwise and counter in a deliberate rhythm that makes for about fifteen pivots in ten seconds every minute.

I find that I don't have to worry about bubbles forming this way.

 

[RauschenOderKorn]

As already written by fellow APUG members: The answer to your question is "Yes"

But: This will not give you much of a clue what is best. Some people advocate stand development, some people develop film by permanent development in a rotating processor. Furthermore, fast and slow are subjective. and there are other variables.

In the end you have to find a process which works for you. If you are happy with your negatives, then you are doing everything all right.