Using Dektol after 1 print

Ektagraphic

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Hi Guys- I want to make just one 11X14 print and I was wondering if it would be okay to fill my tray with Dektol then after just one print put the Dektol back into the bottle of fresh chemistry. Thanks
 

MattKing

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Ektagraphic said:
Hi Guys- I want to make just one 11X14 print and I was wondering if it would be okay to fill my tray with Dektol then after just one print put the Dektol back into the bottle of fresh chemistry. Thanks
Click to expand...

Are you filling the tray from a much large container of fresh chemistry, or is the container about one tray-full in capacity?

If the container is much larger, you may wish to segregate the used chemistry in it's own bottle (which should be marked accordingly). That way it will be easier to keep track of which developer is unused.

The whole process of filling the tray, developing the print, and then pouring the developer back into a bottle will decrease the capacity of that chemistry somewhat, but it won't matter much if you are able to use the developer again in a few days.

When you go to use the used developer, check it for activity (do you get strong blacks in a reasonable time?).

Matt
 

MattKing

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By the way, this is a perfect application for print tubes and roller processing!

Matt
 
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Ektagraphic

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Actually, I have an extra bottle I could put it in...
 

BetterSense

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I would put it back in an extra bottle, and keep used chemistry separate from new.
 

ic-racer

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Once you dilute it (are you diluting it to use?) I would not put it back with the stock solution.
 

Anscojohn

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Ektagraphic said:
Hi Guys- I want to make just one 11X14 print and I was wondering if it would be okay to fill my tray with Dektol then after just one print put the Dektol back into the bottle of fresh chemistry. Thanks
Click to expand...
******
You mean make a print in straight Dektol, then pour straight, slightly used Dektol back in the bottle? I sure would not do that.


But save the used Dektol. It should last for days and days. Some people put a second tray on top of the tray as a floating lid. Others use saran wrap floated on top and over the edges.
 

Allen in Montreal

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Dektol

There was a day when I would do this on a regular basis for a quick single reproduction print.

Keep a separate bottle for Dektol labeled "working" fill it right to the cap.
Kodak rates the shelf life of a full stopper bottle of working (diluted) solution at 2 months if I recall correctly, I would not allow it to age half of that for serious prints.

Never pour working (diluted or used straight) solution back in to fresh soup. Keep a log sheet on the wall with date mixed, date diluted, number of sheets processed.
Then throw it away at half the rating,
unless you are just printing "dirty" test prints made just to view cropping.
 
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