Re-using D-76

[markfielding]

Hi all
I have just finished developing my first ever roll and I was just wondering if I can re-use the D-76 that I saved. I used it undiluted (time was around 8mins). Should I bin it and use fresh solution or can it be reused on a number of rolls of film? Thanks in advance
Mark
(ps. Pics to follow soon)

[Xia_Ke]

Congrats on your first roll! :thumbsup: How'd they turn out? Everything look alright? Technically speaking, yes you could reuse it but, you will need some replenisher (CLICK HERE). Being that you are just starting out, and from what I have read researching the same thing, it's going to create a lot of variables for you. You are much better off for the time being using your developer single use. You can reuse your stop bath and fixer to save on the budget. You can also use a weaker dilution of D-76 to make it last longer. A 1:1 dilution is popular and you will have no problems finding development times for it.

[markfielding]

Hi Aaron
Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. Yeah the first roll went pretty well thanks however I've just finished my second roll and there is a nasty purpleish streak down the left hand side of the whole negative strip. Not sure why this is.

[mtbbrian]

I've just finished my second roll and there is a nasty purpleish streak down the left hand side of the whole negative strip. Not sure why this is.

If it's translucent then it's likley that you rolled it onto the reels badly and the film tocuhed other parts of the film.

If it's transparent, then I'd suggest you fix it again.

Good Luck!
Brian

[another view]

Or possibly the canister wasn't completely full of fixer during that step (been there). I usually try to fill to almost the top but leaving just a little room at the top so that agitation moves the chemistry around - if it was full to the absolute top it wouldn't move around much.

I used D76 as 1:1 and never re-used it - I figured it might give inconsistent results.

[markfielding]

Thanks for the advice guys. Hopefully my next process won't have this problem. I think I'll try a 1:1 developer solution next time too. (just to save on costs a little)

[yogestee]

Mark,,,the problem with re-using devoloper is that it gets contaminated by the silver halides from the film..After awhile the developer will become tainted and go "muddy" (not a technical term) and eventually lose its developing properties..Your development times will have to be increased to compensate even from the first roll..It is very difficult to calculate the increase in development times..Using a replenisher will work but it adds another chemical in your dark room (read expense)..

I would dilute your developer 1:1 and and discard it after development..Your development times will be about 50% to 75% longer but you will have more control during development and better results plus leaving your developer uncontaminated..

In the past I have experimented with dilution and agitation..There is a direct relationship between dilution, agitation and grain size..Dilute your developer 1:1 and keep your agitation to a minimum..Undiluted developer, warm developer with short development times and over agitation will increase your film's contrast blowing out the highlights, compressing your film's tonal range and leaving what mid tones you have as grainy as a sand storm in Iraq..Also,,it doesn't matter how long you develop your film you will NEVER EVER increase the density in your shadows you will only over develop your highlights and mid tones..

Rule of thumb ------ "Expose for your shadows,,develop for your highlights".

Jurgen

[photophorous]

Hi Aaron
Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. Yeah the first roll went pretty well thanks however I've just finished my second roll and there is a nasty purpleish streak down the left hand side of the whole negative strip. Not sure why this is.

I agree about not re-using D76. You can, but IMO, it's not worth it.

About your purple streak. It's not too late to fix the film again, and possibly get rid of that. You can roll it back onto the reel and fix it again, but you will also need to do the hypo-clear and water wash again to remove all the fixer. Since it's already been fixed once, fill the tank with the lid off, so you can see the level, and make sure it covers the entire reel. If you've already cut the negatives, you could do this in a tray, but be very careful not to scratch the negatives.

[Xia_Ke]

Jurgen brings up some very good points. Personally though, I don't think this...

...Undiluted developer, warm developer with short development times and over agitation will increase your film's contrast blowing out the highlights, compressing your film's tonal range and leaving what mid tones you have as grainy as a sand storm in Iraq...

... is necessarily a bad thing. It all depends on your desired outcome. If you can spare the film, experiment a bit. For most situations I will do about 5 seconds agitation every 30 seconds for the normal development time. If the lighting is flat, or I just want more contrast, I may do 10 seconds agitation every 30 seconds and develop a little longer than normal time.

[another view]

... is necessarily a bad thing. It all depends on your desired outcome. If you can spare the film, experiment a bit.

Very true - this is the beauty of the world of B&W film processing. I'd also recommend not using D-76, especially when starting out (not saying that I'm much beyond this level myself). Fresh developer is a constant, and re-using it is (or can be) a variable. Eliminate the variables and consistency comes down to process. You can't really be sure what's happening with more than one variable thrown in at one time. D-76, especially at 1:1 dilution, is inexpensive enough. I always pitch it after using it.

[markfielding]

Thanks for all the comments guys. Very good info. Merry Xmas too all by the way.