Verification on Development

Ha... verification on the development in the continuation of my education...

If one uses, say D-76 as one shot.. the developed image will be sharper and ?? of somewhat higher contrast, than using D-76 1:1?

I understand contrast comes basically from agitation.

Generally you may see a small increase in sharpness with 1:1 dilution. This is due to the lower levels of sodium sulphite in a dilute working solution. Sodium sulphite which act as a silver solvent and soften grain. With dilution you should see a slight increase in sharpness but also a slight increase in graininess too. These effects are likely to be very subtle unless you are going for large enlargement.

I'm not sure about D76 but with Xtol Kodak suggests that there is a slight increase in effective film speed at 1:1 dilution. Again, I think the important word here is 'slight'. I doubt most people would notice these effects during normal usage. Others may disagree.

Contrast in controlled by the length of development and to a lesser extent by agitation. Longer development means increased contrast, reduced development lowers contrast.

Confusing statement:

If one uses, say D-76 as one shot (...) than using D-76 1:1

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"One shot" means use once and discard, i.e. what you do after using the developer. "1:1" (that should be written 1+1) means dilute equal parts of stock solution and water, i.e. how you prepare before use. So it can't be that one is preferred over the other. And, actually, when you dilute 1+1, you must use that one-shot. You may use stock solution one-shot, if you are rich.

D76/ID-11 at 1+2 is a good compromise and gives excellent results, it's more economic than 1+1, some of the best 35mm negatives I've printed were at this dilution, shot with an Exacta and CZJ lenses on FP4. I should add that was the photographers request, it works equally as well with Perceptol and Xtol.

I always used D76/ID-11 replenished as that gives very consistent high quality results, 1+2 gives similar results.

Ian

Ok... thanks for correcting me ... understand.. that the dilution will perhaps make it sharper, but also increases grain..
and bernard.. yep I was talking about a one shot of 1+1

peter k. said:

I understand contrast comes basically from agitation.

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Contrast comes mainly from amount of development, which in turn is influenced by

a) developer strength (or concentration)
b) development time
c) development temperature

I would guess agitation also is involved, though. However as I understood, you would want to vary agitation if you would like to experiment with some edge/acutance effects.