ripened PPD (Adox Atomal)?

[olk]

Hi,
I've read that PPD developers or developers with PPD deviates benefit from ripening.
Last weak I developed a Foma 400 with a 6-7 weeks old Adox Atomal batch (dark yellow color).
I was surprised/pleased by the highlight suppression that I haven't noticed before with Atomal.
Might this be an effect of the ripening?
Would it be a good idea to ripen Atomal before using it?
Oliver

 

[Donald Qualls]

Highlight suppression can also be a sign of impending exhaustion. "Ripening" itself, as I understand it, involves exhaustion products building up in the developer, acting as restrainers. With some developing agents (hydroquinone, for instance) this effect is opposite; the exhaustion product acts as an accelerator (hence the "infectious development" in hydroquinone lith developers).

Whether the result is desirable probably depends on many factors, not least the "eye" of the user. If you like what your "ripened" Atomal does, then continue using it, but do at least do a leader test before developing each roll -- just to be sure the "ripening" hasn't gone too far, like bananas turning black...

 

[olk]

I'm referring to something like https://www.digitaltruth.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1229 or in Troops 'Film Developing Cook Book' - sometimes it is called ripening, seasoning, pre-aging...
I'm wondering if I could exceed the same effect if I 'develop' an exposed film (or paper) in the developer as described at the referenced link.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Developing film or paper is exactly what produces exhaustion products -- which are the "seasoning" effect for a replenished developer as well (that, for instance, requires a 10% time increase to maintain original fresh-stock contrast in Xtol replenishment after the initial 6 rolls and replenishments per liter). Bromides that come off the developed film/paper contribute here, too -- but for developers like the "everlasting" Triple 7 of legend, it's a certainty in my mind that exhaustion products were a significant part of the effect.