silly D76 question

[csb999]

I have never purchased D-76 in anything but the packets to make one gallon. I see that you can purchase a box to make 10 gallons, saving a good bit over the cost of 10 individual packets. Here is my question: If I purchase that, do I have to mix all 10 gallons at once? Or would I have to weigh out powder and then mix (which might be problematic if things weren't mixed "well"). Or does that box contain 10 packets... I don't know...

Thanks very much for your help/knowledge!

 

[wogster]

I have never purchased D-76 in anything but the packets to make one gallon. I see that you can purchase a box to make 10 gallons, saving a good bit over the cost of 10 individual packets. Here is my question: If I purchase that, do I have to mix all 10 gallons at once? Or would I have to weigh out powder and then mix (which might be problematic if things weren't mixed "well"). Or does that box contain 10 packets... I don't know...

Thanks very much for your help/knowledge!

Usually a 1 gallon package and a 10 gallon package are used to make the proper amounts. Weighing out the powder is not recommended, as there is no guarantee of an even mix. Personally I think they mix in the bag, but putting so much of each ingredient into the bag. If you have a proper scale and want to measure powders, then simply buy the ingredients, and mix them to the size you want. The formula for D76 is fairly simple.

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

I have never purchased D-76 in anything but the packets to make one gallon. I see that you can purchase a box to make 10 gallons, saving a good bit over the cost of 10 individual packets. Here is my question: If I purchase that, do I have to mix all 10 gallons at once? Or would I have to weigh out powder and then mix (which might be problematic if things weren't mixed "well"). Or does that box contain 10 packets?... I don't know...

Thanks very much for your help/knowledge!

You have to make the contents of each package to the full amount as specified by Kodak. I don`t know if the 10 gallon sizes are individual 1 gallon packs or a single 10 gallon pack either, although D-76 and ID-11 are available in the UK in packages to make 1 litre of stock for the small volume user.

 

[jmxphoto]

To me (and I'm pretty new at this) it strikes me as a bad idea. Reason being is once you open the 10gal pacakge the mix starts too oxidize. Powdered chemicals don't simply keep because they're powder. They keep because they're most commonly stored in sealed containers.

 

[Paul]

The formula for D-76 is widely published. Best to buy the raw ingredients and make it up yourself. That way it is always fresh. It is also much cheaper to make it this way.

 

[Monophoto]

To me (and I'm pretty new at this) it strikes me as a bad idea. Reason being is once you open the 10gal pacakge the mix starts too oxidize. Powdered chemicals don't simply keep because they're powder. They keep because they're most commonly stored in sealed containers.

In addition, there is the concern that as powders are shipped and handled, they will settle by weight. As a result, if you mix anything less than the full amount, there is no way to assure that the constituent components will be in the correct proportion.

A better way to gain the same economy is to purchase the individual components in bulk as dry compounds, store them in sealed containers (old mayonnaise jars?) and then mix as needed. The formula for D-76 is widely published, and you can buy the components from either Formulary or Art Craft.

 

[fschifano]

I've read reports of people who have successfully mixed up partial quantities of commercially prepared developers. I would not recommend it. There is the argument that the ingredients can settle out into layers, so that you won't necessarily get the right proportion of each ingredient in each sample. That may or may not be the case, and I have no way to prove it. It is, however, a plausible argument.

But there is an overriding reason not to do this; one that I discovered by accident with a package of Dektol. Both D-76 and Dektol are MQ type developers using the same reducing agents, metol and hydroquinone, in different proportions. Upon opening a package of Dektol, I found that the color was off. It had gone dark. When I mixed it up, the resulting solution was the color of brewed coffee. Upon examining the package, I found that there were a couple of pinholes that allowed air and moisture to react with the contents. The developer had oxidized.

When these mixtures are packaged at the factory, they are sealed in an air and moisture proof container with an inert gas. Once opened, that seal is breached allowing air and moisture to reach the contents. The bottom line is that the dry powders won't last long unless you keep them protected from the ambient atmosphere.

I know you want to do this to save money. The price per unit of measure is very attractive when buying bulk quantities of this stuff. But in the end, you'll probably wind up loosing those savings through spoilage.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

Will the witness please answer the question...

Come on guys. No one has offered an answer to the OP's question, which is:

Is the 10-gallon mix ten separate one-gallon packets or one large 10-gallon packet?

I don't know either, but am curious (and always baffled why so many questions are simply not addressed...)

Does someone out there know the answer?

Best,

Doremus Scudder

 

[PhotoJim]

It's one giant package, not ten small ones.

 

[msdemanche]

It is one giant pack. Unless you are running a ton of film there is really no savings. My students never need that much, so I only buy the one gallon size packs. The reason, is due to the oxidation. I also agree, if you have the time and space, to make it from scratch. I have gone over to the pre-packaged just for ease.

 

[Ian Grant]

The 10 gallon pack is really made for deep tank use in commercial darkrooms.

If you want the best economy buy the 1 gallon pack & the replenisher that's how D76 is really meant to be used and the quality actually improves once it's seasoned & replenished.

Ian

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

The 10 gallon pack is really made for deep tank use in commercial darkrooms.

If you want the best economy buy the 1 gallon pack & the replenisher that's how D76 is really meant to be used and the quality actually improves once it's seasoned & replenished.

Ian

I have considered doing that myself, but does the emulsion speed drop with replenished D-76/ID-11?

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

I asked on Ilford`s site a while back about replenishment and there was a reply from Ilford`s technical department about differences with ID-11 replenishment versus D-76 replenishment.http://www.ilfordphoto.com/photocom...topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8518&SearchTerms=replenish

 

[Ian Grant]

No, using replenishment has a lot of benefits, the developer begins to give better tonality, grain & sharpness once ripened. Over the years I've used Microphen/ID-68, ID-11, Adox Borax MQ and finally Xtol this way. It is the only real option in a commercial darkroom but it works on a smaller scale too. I use 2.5 litre bottles as stock and replenish these.

Ian

 

[csb999]

thanks

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond. I appreciate your thoughts and opinions!