regarding b&w x-ray film, why dilute developer & how often does it need changed?

[alfsorenson]

Have been using Fujifilm x-ray HRT film for a few weeks and having a great time with it. I'm a newbie when it comes to film processing and basically followed guides I came across online. One thing I wonder about is dilution: other than to save $, why dilute? I'm using either D-76 or homemade caffenol standard. I've been diluting the '76 1:1 since the start, but I've diluted down to 1:3. Since I develop by inspection under safelight, other than slight increase in development time, I don't see any difference in the final result. Is it possible to go even further with dilution? I do use up either developer pretty fast. I can now make the caffenol quickly, but it's a littler harder to see the developing picture obviously with the coffee present. Another question: how often can I reuse the developer? So far, I've done up to two 8x10's without new developer and other than a greater developing time of the second one, no difference. Thanks.

 

[Wayne]

I think dilution is to help with the inherent high contrast of x-ray films, and it makes development times longer=more manageable. Short times lead to uneven development. Having said that I have only developed a few sheets of HR-T myself, so I'm no expert. Most people use most film developers once only. The package should give a capacity but I think 2 sheets of 8x10 is well within the capacity of any developer on earth, assuming you use a mininum amount (which should also be given). I'm guessing the coffee label won't be much help though.