Unicolor Stabilzer sucks!

[markbarendt]

Let me be clear, the way someone intends to use the developer should drive how the developer is prepared. One use, re-use, replenish.

My personal preference is replenishment. It is the most consistent and least expensive.

Is it better to use starter?

I'm not convinced. If you don't use starter, would you still add the water to the replenisher
to form the initial developer? It takes about 108ml of water plus 12.5 ml of starter to make the
1 liter of developer.

With regard just to volume, simply adding 120-121mls of water solves this issue.

The disadvantage of not using the starter is that you then have to compensate
for the overactive developer

True.

Once the right time is found though that argument goes away. I'd actually suggest that 3:00 would be plenty close and 3:15 is workable for most any home processed first run.

If one is reusing the developer without replenishing, 2, 3, or 4 shot, then the time has to be adjusted to maintain reasonably consistent results.

Temperature cannot be used reliably. The ~100f point is the only temp that works correctly for good consistency. Not saying people can't use chemicals at cooler temps, just that to get consistent normal color 100f is required.

Why not just use the starter and either replenish or run it one-shot?

Again, I am a big fan of replenishing.

Replenishing though is a little extra work and takes a little extra thought that many people seem to loathe, for example IMO Xtol is best and easiest when replenished. Consistency, cost, ease of use ... Most people still seem to gravitate towards one shot.

One shot is fine, but it is the most expensive way to process C-41 and in small batches the least consistent. Replenishment tends to average out chemical measurement errors that can be significant in one shot mixing.

Home use usually results in more air to the developer so it isn't as easy to keep it good with a replenished system.

It is more resilient than many people think though.

I have had great results reusing developer over as many as 6 weekends. I've even had occasion to skip a few weekends and then replenish and use a batch before tossing. YMMV.

As a side note, the bleach step needs oxygen. Exposure to air is good for the bleach. Commercial systems actually bubble O2 into the bleach kinda like a fish tank.

 

[sfaber17]

One shot is fine, but it is the most expensive way to process C-41 and in small batches the least consistent. Replenishment tends to average out chemical measurement errors that can be significant in one shot mixing.

It is more resilient than many people think though.

I have had great results reusing developer over as many as 6 weekends. I've even had occasion to skip a few weekends and then replenish and use a batch before tossing. YMMV.

I may try replenishing in the future. I am still perfecting the process and don't want any extra variables. As far as being consistent, I have accurate pipettes so it isn't a problem, but otherwise the only way to increase consistency would be to mix all the replenisher at once - like 5 liters like some people do. It does store well that way if the bottles are full. I think I would mix up a liter of replenisher, then when using, would use the 880ml or so of replenisher plus water plus starter and save off the 120ml of replenisher in a small bottle for replenishing.