Is developer temp that critical with RC prints?

gone · Apr 25, 2021

I always watch my temps when developing film. Can't remember doing that for printing though, and the prints always came out well. My developer is Dektol, w/ Kodafix for the fixer, both of which recommend 68 degrees. My usual home temp is 78 or so, and there's no pan here that's big enough to put my trays in for a cooling water bath. To avoid turning on the a/c, I'm thinking of going ahead and printing w/ the ambient air at 78.

Think that will be a problem? Dektol's pretty bulletproof.

Sirius Glass · Apr 25, 2021

While some developers do not work if they are too cold, but it does not matter because some pull the prints when they want the development to stop. Others time the development and if there is any variability, they will adjust the exposure.

Pioneer · Apr 25, 2021

My experience with Dektol and D72 is that higher temps result in somewhat higher contrast. This is probably a function of the developer working more aggressively at the higher temperatures but I couldn't say whether that is true or not.

Nicholas Lindan · Apr 25, 2021

Paper is, or should be, developed to completion - i.e. leaving the paper in the developer a bit longer has no effect. Leaving it in for a very long time is another matter.

If you are using RC paper then development is complete in ~90 seconds at 68F. At 78F development would be complete in ~60 seconds. It is a good idea to start a timer when the paper goes in the developer and always pull the prints at the same time to get consistent results, it doesn't much matter what time you pick as long as it is consistent.

MattKing · Apr 25, 2021

I've always developed at whatever the room temperature is. As I live in a very temperate climate, that temperature doesn't vary tremendously. I've not encountered any problems.
If the paper and developer manufacturers specify a range of developing times, I prefer standardizing on a time that is at the longer end of the range.
I'd be more concerned with temperatures that are too cool.
I usually do use a fairly in-exact version of factorial development - I pay attention to the emersion time, and if it starts to get longer, I increase the total development time.

voceumana · Apr 25, 2021

Higher temp developer will react with paper just as it does with film--faster developing time and higher grain. Dilute the developer when you start the session with colder water to balance to 68 degrees and you'll be OK--temp will rise to room temperature throughout your printing session, but it probably won't be fast enough for you to notice any difference.

We don't normally associate grain with paper, as we see it actual size, but believe me (from experience) if you get the developer hot enough you will begin to see the grain clumps of the paper.

Fiber base versus RC does not change the way the paper reacts to the developer.

gone · Apr 26, 2021

Thanks everyone. Like you Matt, I always printed at whatever temperature the home was, and in Florida it was always warm. Here in Tucson we actually have a winter, so it got me wondering about this. I'll print at the warmer temps like usual. Looking forward to making some prints. Rounding up everything for the darkroom and setting it up was time consuming and tedious, but the printing itself usually goes smoothly. Darkroom work is a slow, meditative process.

Arthurwg · Apr 26, 2021

It's simple: The answer is no. Back in the olden days temperature was very important. Now with modern materials it's much less so.

Sirius Glass · Apr 26, 2021

MattKing said:
I've always developed at whatever the room temperature is. As I live in a very temperate climate, that temperature doesn't vary tremendously. I've not encountered any problems.
If the paper and developer manufacturers specify a range of developing times, I prefer standardizing on a time that is at the longer end of the range.
I'd be more concerned with temperatures that are too cool.
I usually do use a fairly in-exact version of factorial development - I pay attention to the emersion time, and if it starts to get longer, I increase the total development time.

momus said:
Thanks everyone. Like you Matt, I always printed at whatever temperature the home was, and in Florida it was always warm. Here in Tucson we actually have a winter, so it got me wondering about this. I'll print at the warmer temps like usual. Looking forward to making some prints. Rounding up everything for the darkroom and setting it up was time consuming and tedious, but the printing itself usually goes smoothly. Darkroom work is a slow, meditative process.

Arthurwg said:
It's simple: The answer is no. Back in the olden days temperature was very important. Now with modern materials it's much less so.

Is developer temp that critical with RC prints?

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Is developer temp that critical with RC prints?

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