Mixing D76

Don Harpold · Mar 24, 2022

Hello
I am getting ready to try some D76, I know the first 3 liters need to be at approx. 125 degrees but does the last .8 liter need to be same temp or is room temp ok.
Thanks
Don

And BTW better stock or 1 to 1 or?
Thanks Again

Down Under · Mar 24, 2022

This is so confusing!! Let's try to make a little sense of it...

You don't mix three liners and 800 pls separately - you mix the entire lot together, in one lot, in the same container. And yes, at 125F. Not room temperature which for most of us hovers at around the 68F mark - or do you live in a Finnish sauna??
whatever your abode, mix the stuff at the recommended temperature. Or you will get a mess of sediment in your bottles.

I hope you didn't mean "using D76" and not mixing - trying to process film at that high a temperature is a fire-fire recipe for disaster.

This may be confusing for you, but when I mix up a 3.8 later pack of D76, I always top it up to 4 liters. The 200 ml difference won't make any difference at all to your films. Trust me on this.

I hope this clears everything up for you.

Don Harpold · Mar 24, 2022

Hello ozmoose,
This thread is about mixing not developing and my package of D76 says mix 3 liters at 122 F. to 131 F. and then add .8 liter to make a gallon

I didn't think it was that confusing
Don

Paul Howell · Mar 24, 2022

I follow Kodak directions which are the same as Photographers Formulary directions for their version of D76, mix first 3 liters in warm water, 125 degrees F, once completely dissolved bring up to 4 liters by adding cold tap water.

gone · Mar 25, 2022

Yes, just use tap water at room temperature. I always do this outside, it's a good idea w/ any powder chemicals. And let the D76 sit a day or so before using it, it will be a little too active initially.

Bill Burk · Mar 25, 2022

If you use a filter funnel and pour between one large container to another, the bits that don’t dissolve easily in the first place, will dissolve easily in the last bit of water that you add.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 25, 2022

Don Harpold said:
Hello
I am getting ready to try some D76, I know the first 3 liters need to be at approx. 125 degrees but does the last .8 liter need to be same temp or is room temp ok.
Thanks
Don

And BTW better stock or 1 to 1 or?
Thanks Again

at the start, the warmer temp helps to dissolve all dry chemicals better.at the end, room temp is OK because, the whole volume needs to cool down to room temp any way; D76 is used as stock, often !+1 and up to 1+3. see the MDC for starting dev times for your film.

Don_ih · Mar 25, 2022

D76 also supposedly is a bit more aggressive after being initially mixed (although I've never noticed it), so it's advisable to wait a day before using it. It really doesn't matter what temperature the last .8 litres of water is.

As for use, 1:1 is great but you need to dump it after use. If you use it at stock strength, you can return it to the big jug. If you do return it to the jug, you will eventually need to start extending your development times. If you are not developing frequently, I recommend using it 1:1. If you are developing frequently, I recommend using it 1:1 or learning about replenishment. It's better to have consistent development times than extend the life of working developer.

Pat Erson · Mar 25, 2022

Don Harpold said:
better stock or 1 to 1 or?

And if you use it at 1+1 dilute your dilute with the same quantity of water right before you process your film(s).

Alex Benjamin · Mar 25, 2022

Don Harpold said:
And BTW better stock or 1 to 1 or?

There is no "better". It depends on what you shot. If you have a scene in which you have a lot of details in the highlights that you want to be able to print, you should use 1+1, or even 1+3 if the contrast level is very high. Trade off is a little more grain than stock. Stock solution will give you finer grain but you run the risk of blocked highlights.

If you're shooting 35mm, and have different types of exposures on the roll, then don't take chances and use 1+1. If all of your shots on the roll are very contrasty, use 1+1 or 1+3. If all your shots on the roll are low contrast, use stock. This is not a rule, just general advice (I follow it for D-23). D-76's tendencies to block highlights, especially with stock solution, is well documented, but contrast level and grain size is more a matter of taste, so what works for me at 1+1 or 1+3 may not work for you.

Don Harpold · Mar 25, 2022

Thanks everyone,
I appreciate your recommendations
Don

mshchem · Mar 25, 2022

One thing, if you are going to keep it for a while I would split the stock solution into smaller bottles. Full quarts keep for at least 6 months. 1+1 dilution is a great way to save on chemistry if you're using a plastic tank like Paterson. Don't dilute until ready to use. Always store unused stock solution in a full bottle. If you use a pint save the other pint in a full pint bottle.
Old Gatorade or soda bottles work great, kept away from kids.

I guess that's more than one thing.

D76 is a great developer

Nicklop · Jun 3, 2022

These guys know their stuff.

Mixing D76

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