Replenishment in Nova

[leeturner]

Just a quick question. I recevied a 10x8 nova this morning. In the manual it says to replenish at stock strength. Does this mean straight out of the bottle or in the case of developer, say multigrade, top up the slot with a 1+9 solution? The figures it gives are 30ml for a 10x8 processor so I assume this means straight solution. In addition to replenishment do you top up with dilute developer to compensate for wastage, e.g. absorbtion when using fibre?

 

[Stoo Batchelor]

Hi Lee

I'm probably not answering the question how you would like, but here go's. I have never found the need to replenish as such. I mix my chems in the right ratio's and fill the slots. Any chems left I bottle and save.

I then have a printing session. Cover with cling film and lid and leave. Next session I will top up the slots with the leftover chemicals. The developer goes down the quickest as the paper sucks it in, hardly any stop gets taken in by the paper, and the use of fix is minimal. Obviously Fibre paper will take more developer on board than R.C.

Next session I will top up again with the leftovers (a third session) This is usually my last session with these chemicals, and before I go ahead, I will test the fixer before hand ( I will replenish this at working strength if need be). Then I chuck away and start over again.

This is the best way to get constant, like for like results(IMO). By replenishing the slots I do not know the strengths of the chems.

Depending on what developer/ fixer you use, they can last for a good while standing. Nova and Tetenal I have found to be the best, with Ilfords coming a close third.

Hope this helps a little.

Stoo

P.S Wheres that first print?

 

[Dave Miller]

It’s several years since I used a Nova, but from memory an 10x8 RC print will take about 10ml of developer with it to the next slot. Fibre paper takes about 15ml. This has to replenished, about every 10 prints or so. You should top-up with working strength chemicals; i.e. 1 + 9. I use Tetenal test strips to check the condition of the fixer. Nova chemicals are formulated for long life in these processors and will last for many months with replenishment only, however you may feel that you have to change them more frequently. I guess that when the developer turns black it may be time to start thinking about throwing it. If you make a print from a test negative using fresh chemicals, and keep it. Then you can always make another after a month or so and compare it to the original if you feel the chemicals are going off. You must use the same make of paper of course, anyway if the blacks come out black and the whites, white; then all is well.

 

[leeturner]

Thanks guys. It just confused me a little when it said to top up with 30ml stock solution. Stoo, I've cleaned the trays and put them away and I'm going to start work again on that picture that I posted in the gallery a couple of weeks ago.
What I've been doing is working on some easier negs so that I can get the confidence levels up and get used to the vagaries of the equipment. I did find that the Minolta 75mm needs refocussing when stopped down which I didn't expect. With the Nova I'm hoping I'll have a bit more printing time than normal.

Also after last weeks post I'm awaiting my order from Nova for some fresh paper and chemicals, it appears to have got lost in transit.

 

[Bob F.]

Just to agree with the general consensus... I make up 33 - 50% more chemicals than I need to fill the slot and as the levels drop, top up with the extra chems. When I run out of top-up I dump the chems and start again. That can take a couple of months.

It's probably just as well to start with the Nova chems until you get more experience in things and want to start experimenting. Many others will last for ages in there. I use mainly Ansco 130 and (in the past) Neutol WA, but will be trying Ilford Warmtone soon. I know Ilford MG developer lasts forever in the Nova too. I also use Fotospeed low odour stop and fixer which keeps the pong down to very low levels.

Have fun, Bob.

 

[LAMitchell]

I'm not entirely sure of the quantity of chemicals in the 8x10, I think it is 1L, the 16x12 is 2L and I top this up throughout the session (usually 6-10 prints) at the end I will drain off 100 ml from the bottom and top this with fresh chemicals. All of these are diluted to working capacity. Toping up with stock will be a bit hit and miss with the concentrations so best use working capacity.

One thing about fibre, I replace the stop completely every couple of sessions as it get killed pretty quick and its cheap as chips.

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

Just a quick question. I recevied a 10x8 nova this morning. In the manual it says to replenish at stock strength. Does this mean straight out of the bottle or in the case of developer, say multigrade, top up the slot with a 1+9 solution? The figures it gives are 30ml for a 10x8 processor so I assume this means straight solution. In addition to replenishment do you top up with dilute developer to compensate for wastage, e.g. absorbtion when using fibre?

Take a look at the Fotospeed CD11 Machine developer and CF41 Machine fixer which are formulated with products like the Ilford 2150, Durst Printo and Nova slot processors with full instructions for replenishment.
www.fotospeed.com