To replenish or not to replenish?

[wclark5179]

"The reason I use a wine box for the stock is that there is no introduced air."

Red or white? Smiles!

 

[markbarendt]

Red

 

[michaelbsc]

Let me ask if there is an answer for low volume users. I always use developer (not X-tol) as one shot. If I did try to keep developer for a few weeks between film sessions is it even possible to use replenishing as a choice?

Absolutely!

The reason I use a wine box for the stock is that there is no introduced air.

The fresh Xtol goes in the working bottle before pouring the used Xtol back into the bottle that holds the stock, the used Xtol is added until overflowing then capped so again no air.

Because there is so little air introduced it lasts very well.

Ok, help me think out loud with this.

I have just started trying to do some work with 8X10 sheets. So far I have developed them in a Unicolor drum.

I have scrounged three stainless 1 gallon tanks and a few hangers.

If I put a floating lid on the tank, and don't use it again for 15 or 20 days will it be Ok? Or is that too long?

MB

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Interesting article. All this chemistry is over my head. But what I got from this article is that ascorbate developers are less toxic and better for the environment which is an added bonus if the developer makes beautiful negs. It seems like it's a different breed of developer where it doesn't brown when it goes bad.

 

[markbarendt]

Michael

I have no personal experience with floating lids so I don't know how well they seal.

It is my impression from conversations I've seen here and info seen in tech docs that floating lids slow oxidation but that they are not as good as storage in sealed full bottles.

 

[michaelbsc]

This is my impression of floating lids, too. If I were processing daily the floating lids would be an awesome improvement to open tanks. But they aren\'t really sealed up tight like a screw cap.



If I could win the lottery I could quit work and shoot enough film to make it work!!

 

[Ian Grant]

If you've got reasonable throughput floating lids work OK. That's what pretty much what every commercial darkroom used at one time. While they obviously aren't as efficient a s a bottle usually there's a higher rate of replenishment with fresh developer anyway.

Ian

 

[Chriscc123]

after not reading any of the previous conversation i have to say, hc-110 is very much still produced by kodak, in fact i went down to freestyle about a month or so ago and got a fresh new bottle of the stuff (prove me other wise please)

(i like it because it keeps forever in concentrate)

 

[Ian Grant]

after not reading any of the previous conversation i have to say, hc-110 is very much still produced by kodak, in fact i went down to freestyle about a month or so ago and got a fresh new bottle of the stuff (prove me other wise please)

(i like it because it keeps forever in concentrate)

Kodak don't make chemistry an longer it's made for them by Champion.

HC110 Replenisher was discontinued last year because of poor sales, along with Microdol-X and a few other items.

Ian

 

[ozphoto]

I used to replenish my Atomall FF - gave me (almost) infinite developing of my films. I did however keep scrupulous notes on use and replenishment and from memory, a 5L mix lasted me approximately 3 years. Since its demise however, I now use one shot development with the developer of choice.

Should it ever be re-released, I'd replenish again - it gave me excellent results and saved me some $$ in the process.

 

[Chriscc123]

Kodak don't make chemistry an longer it's made for them by Champion.

HC110 Replenisher was discontinued last year because of poor sales, along with Microdol-X and a few other items.

Ian

ah, then i apologize, for i did not see the little bit saying Replenisher, i would be very worried if it were to all of the sudden be taken off the shelfs