The things you learn when actually reading the docs

So with the locked down darkroom in full swing, I've had some time to read the latest versions of the film/paper documentation from Kodak, Ilford and Photo Formulary carefully because I was checking my development times. And here's what I learned:

- Stop bath is only 10s, not a full minute. I used to do a full minute for films. Now I'm saving 50s EVERY TIME!
- You don't have to agitate all the time you're fixing film. Just do the first 30s, then 5s every 30s. My wrists are thanking me.
- You can reuse some diluted chems. DK-50 1+1, for example, you can do 10 rolls with it, not just one. Profit!!
- When you're using a fix test (FT-1), it's not milkiness but a yellow, insoluble precipitate you should look for.
- Bonus point on FT-1, you're not supposed to drop it in the fix, but rather make a separate mix with equal parts test, fix, and water.
- It's not recommended to use stop and fix that's been left in trays more than seven days. I learned it the hard way when I was toning prints that turned yellow in selenium.

What else have you learned once you actually sat down with manufacturer's documentation?

All things go better when I follow the instructions. Who knew?

Michel Hardy-Vallée said:

What else have you learned once you actually sat down with manufacturer's documentation?

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Actually, everything. I used to shoot primarily HP5+ and developing it at my local lab. When I decided to develop my own, I downloaded HP5+ data sheet from Ilford's web site, which told me to use DD-X as "best overall liquid" developer. So I bought a bottle, and downloaded DD-X data sheet, which contained detailed instructions for the entire process: replenishing, temperatures, agitation technique, stopping, fixing, and washing. I've been doing all of that for a long time with excellent results before I discovered online communities.

What I am learning, is the additional stuff not mentioned in the docs: exotic developers, exotic dilution ratios, stand development, scanning, etc.

TBH "follow what's in the data sheet" is the answer to 90% of the questions people post online.

Follow the instructions and deviate only when you require differing/different results. What I have learnt is that the tables contained therein are mostly a starting point and not nescessarily an end.

Funny...I was just reading the Owner's Manual for my truck this morning. I learned that these new vehicles (2019 F-150) have a lotta stuff to learn about.

I was ruined by the Air Force, following directions were pounded into me, we had really good tech orders, developed at (I recall) at either Wright Pat or March AFB then field tested. Kodak instructional manuals are very good, their data sheets very complete.

Literacy is a wonderful thing...

Sirius Glass said:

All things go better when I follow the instructions. Who knew?

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We are not near the end of profound revelations.

Michel Hardy-Vallée said:

So with the locked down darkroom in full swing, I've had some time to read the latest versions of the film/paper documentation from Kodak, Ilford and Photo Formulary carefully because I was checking my development times. And here's what I learned:

- You don't have to agitate all the time you're fixing film. Just do the first 30s, then 5s every 30s. My wrists are thanking me.

Click to expand...

I was taught this in my first darkroom class 15 years ago, and have done it ever since. Glad to know I've been on the right track and not screwing up my film all these years!