the effects of aging on developers
This question may be a bit of a handful. My question concerns developers and
what are the effects on the print or film as the developing agents age. I know most, or I should say those that I use (powdered mix D-76 and Dektol and Selectol), say a shelf life of 2 months in a tightly-stoppered dark bottle is the limit and I follow that suggestion. But what I would like to know is what can be expected as the developing agents age. Are the effects uniform or do the highlights suffer first and shadow detail second or vice versa? I guess what I'm asking is if the component developing agents deteriorate at different rates. What happens if you go beyond the suggested shelf life. Is there some kind of compensation that can be made for the aging of the developing agents? I'm hoping to get replies based on obviously more knowledge, but also the breath of experience that others have in processing their own film and prints. All replies will be welcomed. Thanks! |
the effects of aging on developers
"Robert J. Mathes" wrote in message ... This question may be a bit of a handful. My question concerns developers and what are the effects on the print or film as the developing agents age. I know most, or I should say those that I use (powdered mix D-76 and Dektol and Selectol), say a shelf life of 2 months in a tightly-stoppered dark bottle is the limit and I follow that suggestion. But what I would like to know is what can be expected as the developing agents age. Are the effects uniform or do the highlights suffer first and shadow detail second or vice versa? I guess what I'm asking is if the component developing agents deteriorate at different rates. What happens if you go beyond the suggested shelf life. Is there some kind of compensation that can be made for the aging of the developing agents? I'm hoping to get replies based on obviously more knowledge, but also the breath of experience that others have in processing their own film and prints. All replies will be welcomed. Thanks! Others here can answer your question much better, but the _very_general_ answer is the developer activity decreases with age. Black areas will not develope fully. You will get less contrast. If you _absolutely,_positively_ had to use some old developer, I'd increase the developer time, perhaps by 25-50%. As for the 2-month shelf-life, I prefer the guideline: "If it's brown, flush it down". Ken Hart |
the effects of aging on developers
"Ken Hart" wrote
If you _absolutely,_positively_ had to use some old developer Reference for information: "Lootens on Photographic Enlarging and Print Quality." Available from Abebooks and Amazon for $1.25 and up, a bargain. In the old days, old developer was used 1:1 with fresh developer to shift warm tone paper farther towards the warm end. I can't say I have tried it, as my warm-tone paper stock went with the use of the last of my Agfa Portriga (?). WBUAT: Is there a modern equivalent of the old warm tone papers among all these Bergers and Kentmeres and Rajahs ... There was also advice to add Sodium Carbonate to old developer to revitalize it. Somewhere around 1/2 oz Na2CO3 to 32 oz shot developer. -- Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics. |
the effects of aging on developers
"Nicholas O. Lindan" wrote: "Ken Hart" wrote If you _absolutely,_positively_ had to use some old developer Reference for information: "Lootens on Photographic Enlarging and Print Quality." Available from Abebooks and Amazon for $1.25 and up, a bargain. In the old days, old developer was used 1:1 with fresh developer to shift warm tone paper farther towards the warm end. I can't say I have tried it, as my warm-tone paper stock went with the use of the last of my Agfa Portriga (?). WBUAT: Is there a modern equivalent of the old warm tone papers among all these Bergers and Kentmeres and Rajahs ... There was also advice to add Sodium Carbonate to old developer to revitalize it. Somewhere around 1/2 oz Na2CO3 to 32 oz shot developer. -- Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics. All I can say is I'm 76 years old and still developing. Sorry, I couldn't resist. |
the effects of aging on developers
Patrick Gainer wrote in news:401464B3.E13201D7
@rtol.net: There was also advice to add Sodium Carbonate to old developer to revitalize it. Somewhere around 1/2 oz Na2CO3 to 32 oz shot developer. -- Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics. All I can say is I'm 76 years old and still developing. Sorry, I couldn't resist. With sodium carbonate??? ((-: Jorge |
the effects of aging on developers
Jorge Omar wrote: Patrick Gainer wrote in news:401464B3.E13201D7 @rtol.net: There was also advice to add Sodium Carbonate to old developer to revitalize it. Somewhere around 1/2 oz Na2CO3 to 32 oz shot developer. -- Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics. All I can say is I'm 76 years old and still developing. Sorry, I couldn't resist. With sodium carbonate??? ((-: Jorge Sometimes a little wine helps. Pat |
the effects of aging on developers
Thank you all for your replies. They have all helped..........except for the
76 year-old's, that is! bob mathes |
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