T-Max Dev

Malcolm Swan · Nov 3, 2003

I am developing 9 films in T-Max diluted 1:4, but I only have a 7 film tank. Can I use this developer again for the last 2 films, and if so, by how much should I increase the development (at 20C)?

By the way, I can't access the chatroom. Am I doing something wronG? (Have tried via the end of the forums page...)

Black Dog · Nov 3, 2003

Reusing diluted developer is pretty much a no-no, especially with large numbers of films-the developer just won't have enough oomph left to give decent negs.It's not worth the risk in my book.

Sean · Nov 3, 2003

Hi Malcolm. the chat seems ok from here. Were you logged in at the time? Are you behind a corporate firewall or anything, do you have a pop up box stopper that might be stopping the room from popping up, and lastly what browser are you using? Thanks

Silverpixels5 · Nov 3, 2003

I use Tmax Dev occasionally and have always had good results. TMax Dev is actually meant to be reused, as its not a one shot developer. I've gone as long as a month with used/diluted developer and didn't have any problems. I can't remember the capacity of the developer though. If you are unsure just make up a new batch or replenish the used dev.

Malcolm Swan · Nov 3, 2003

I guess I've made too many idiotic mistakes in the darkroom to risk using the dev twice.

"Don't spoil the ship for a ha'poth of tar" (not Bob Dylan).

I'll try th chat room again, but I'm just a home PC user, so no firewalls or the rest of it. Just the usual anti-virus stuff.

Thanks for the advice.

Konical · Nov 3, 2003

Do you mean 1:4 from the original concentrate? If so, why not just use 1:7 dilution and do two separate batches of five and four. You'll end up using about the same amount of developer, and the smaller batches will be a lot less awkward to handle during the processing. What kind of film is involved? I routinely use 1:7 for T-100 and T-400; glad to supply my typical times if you want.

Konical

Malcolm Swan · Nov 4, 2003

Konical said:
Do you mean 1:4 from the original concentrate? If so, why not just use 1:7 dilution and do two separate batches of five and four. You'll end up using about the same amount of developer, and the smaller batches will be a lot less awkward to handle during the processing. What kind of film is involved? I routinely use 1:7 for T-100 and T-400; glad to supply my typical times if you want.

Konical

Yes, I use 1:4 from the original concentrate. The 7 films in the tank were Tmax 400, but the other 2 were HP5 plus, which I did separately.

I develop the T-Max 400 in 1:4 T-Max dev for 9 mins at 20.5C, which gives me quite dense negs, but thats the way I like them. I'd never developed HP5 in T-max before. The recommended time was 6 1/2 mins at 20C, so I gave them 7 mins at 20C and they look OK altho not as much contrast as I like. However I haven't printed them yet. Yes I'd appreciate seeing your times for 1:7 if not too much bother!

Konical · Nov 4, 2003

Good Afternoon, Malcolm,

Going directly from the original concentrate is the most practical method. I use 1:7 generally; T-Max 400 gets 9 minutes normally, but, if the shots are done with flash on camera, I'll usually cut back to about 8 minutes. T-Max 100 gets 10 minutes normally, with a similar reduction for high-contrast flash shots. Both times assume 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20C). Also, both times are for 35mm and 120. When I use the same concentration for sheet film with continuous agitation in a drum, I usually reduce the times by 10 to 15 percent. Haven't used any HP5, so I can't comment from experience, but it should be fairly easy to establish a "normal" time with a couple of test rolls.

Konical

Thilo Schmid · Nov 5, 2003

Malcolm,
1:4 is not really "diluted", beacause this is the standard "stock solution". T-Max Developer can be reused in standard dilution, but I cannot answer your question, because you didn't specify the amount of developer you use. Go to the Kodak Website and search for Tech Pub J86 for details.

Malcolm Swan · Nov 5, 2003

Thanks Thilo and Konical. I am learning a great deal!

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