Some more enlarging questions

Jessestr said:

Hi all

I can't get enough from this. Really can't stop enlarging and trying different things. Every day I'm learning new stuff or having a problem to solve.

Now I still have a few questions left
- I'm using Adotol NE, using it 1+7 diluted in 700ml of solution. It's getting very dark yellow now. How do I see when it stops working correctly?

- I was enlarging two shots today from a recent shoot. Shot on Tri-X 400, rated @ 400, developed in HC-110 , dilution B for 6m30s (same agitation scheme and temperatures).
Now I use my scans as a reference point for the enlarging. If I notice I have to correct exposure on a shot in my scans.. I can adjust it in the darkroom too.

Now my previous shots that were exposed perfectly had a base exposure of 16 seconds on f/16 on a 10x15 paper. Now I was also enlarging a perfectly exposed shot. So I did a test strip to check on 16 seconds (f/16). It was too light. So I added about 2/3e stop.. 16 seconds => 26 seconds.. (also on 10x15 paper) Shot came out perfectly exposed. Even though, in the scan I didn't had to adjust anything from exposure. What could this be? Maybe the developer that is getting weaker? Scanning error? Or maybe the grade? Also had to move to grade 3 instead of grade 2, because my blacks weren't that black anymore.

I can post test-strips and final result on request.

Many thanks

Jesse

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It was too light. So I added about 2/3e stop.. 16 seconds => 26 seconds.. (also on 10x15 paper) Shot came out perfectly exposed. Even though, in the scan I didn't had to adjust anything from exposure. What could this be? Maybe the developer that is getting weaker? Scanning error? Or maybe the grade?

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Neil Grant said:

Just stick to test strips to determine correct print exposure, paper grade etc. It's not worth trying to infer this from a scanning stage - which is what I think you are trying to do.

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Rick A said:

How long have you been using this batch of paper developer, as in how many enlargements have you processed in this batch? It may be time to mix a fresh batch of developer.

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bernard_L said:

Scanner adjusts automatically to dense/thin negatives, even flat/contrasty. As Neil Grant said.

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Jessestr said:

- I'm using Adotol NE, using it 1+7 diluted in 700ml of solution. It's getting very dark yellow now. How do I see when it stops working correctly?

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Nige said:

2 things...

re 1+7, I've always read as 1 part stock (deleveloper in this case), 7 parts water... so did you use 87.5ml of stock or 100ml? Not that that really matters.

There's a thing/theory called factorial development. You observe how long it takes the print to emerge (start to develop) and multiple that by 4-6 (depending on who you believe) to determine the overall development time. This accounts for the developer getting 'worn out'. I'd caution that you use the manufacturers recommendations as the minimum regardless (i.e print emerges in 5sec, still use 1min minimum) but say the print takes 1min to emerge, then it's probably time for a new batch (although this can depend on paper/dev combo... I have used some paper than needs 3-4min overall with newly mixed developer). Overworked developer tends to produce muddy prints (no blacks) which in turn gets you cranking up the contrast to combat...

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Jessestr said:

Or maybe the grade? Also had to move to grade 3 instead of grade 2,

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David Brown said:

Changing grades, depending on how you do it, may effect exposure time.

All a scan will tell you is whether or not you want to print the negative. It will not determine exposure. Do test strips.

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