So, what is standard agitation (for small tank)?

[.JL.]

At the end it's whatever that works best, but as a starting/reference point, which of the following two agitation methods is considered "standard"?

From Ilford's Information Leaflet "Processing Your First Black&White Film"; this seems to be the same as MDC's guide

Fit the sealing cap and turn the tank upside down
four times during the first 10 seconds and again
for 10 seconds (that is, four inversions) at the start
of every further minute to agitate the developer.
Each time you invert the tank tap it on the bench to
[IMGW][/IMGW]dislodge any air bubbles which may have formed
on the film.

From Kodak XTOL datasheet

4. Provide initial agitation of up to 5 cycles, depending on
your results. For KODAK PROFESSIONAL T-MAX
Films, provide initial agitation of 5 to 7 cycles in
5 seconds. For an invertible tank, one cycle consists of
rotating the tank upside down and then back to the
upright position.
........

5. Let the tank sit for the remainder of the first
30 seconds.

6. After the first 30 seconds, agitate for 5 seconds at
30-second intervals. Agitation should consist of 2 to
5 cycles, depending on the contrast you need and the
type of tank.

 

[fhovie]

St Ansel recommended continuous agitation for 30 seconds initially - That make sense to me. Many sources state 10 seconds every minute - For years, I have used 5 seconds every 30 seconds - or almost no agitation at all! (Long story there) More will give you more contrast. Too little will both underdevelop and create compensation in highlights - (unless you extend the time) Too vigerous agitation will cause uneven develoment - Too gentle agitation may cause uneven development but more likely it will cause a drop in contrast and insuffient development as a worst case scenario.

With larger tanks and many liters of developer greater care is needed that single rolls in a small tank. Agitaion serves to replace exhausted developer from the surface of the film - shortening the time and increasing the contrast. Pick a method that you like and as long as there are no problems - your answer will be the right answer. - just be consistant.

 

[PhotoJim]

As long as you're consistent, it doesn't terribly matter (within the bounds of reasonableness).

I invert constantly for 30 seconds, then do five inversions in 5 seconds every 30 seconds. The only exception is if I use PMK, when I shake the tank fairly violently for about 3-4 seconds every 15 seconds. Once I forgot and used my old inversion system and I couldn't notice any difference, but I'd have to do further tests to know for sure. (The creator of the formula recommends the more rapid, violent agitation.)

 

[Monophoto]

To each his own - just be consistent from roll to roll.

 

[Roger Hicks]

As long as you're consistent, it doesn't terribly matter (within the bounds of reasonableness).

And the differences are not all that great anyway, until you agitate more than about 50% of the time (bigger grain, more speed, reduced sharpness) or less than about 2% (smaller grain, less speed, increased sharpness) -- all for a constant time, of course, though the effects will still be there if you increase/decrease time for a constant contrast). Yes, consistent agitation is a good idea, but as you say, exactly which regime you use doesn't matter a whole hell of a lot.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Gary Holliday]

Agitate for the first 30s
Let stand for 30s
Agitate tank gently for 5s (2 inversions) every 30s.

This is a fairly standard method and 100% safe without any developing problems. As mentioned above..be consistent!

 

[David Brown]

3 inversions of the tank once every SIXTY seconds.

See - there ya are ...

 

[Snapshot]

I'm wondering how twist agitation translate to inversions (e.g. does one 180 degree back and forth twist equal one inversion?).

 

[removed account4]

like a slow-mobius (sideways-figure-8 while turning the tank )
for 10 seconds every minute,
after doing it constantly for the first minute ...

 

[mcgrattan]

Yeah, I do the 3 slow inversions every 60 seconds thing too. Which happens to take me around 10 seconds.