kol Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 So, I mixed a new batch of Ilford film developer, and my first roll was fine. A few days later, I developed another roll, for the exact right time and temp. The developer was only used once, so I don't know how my whole roll came out so underdeveloped. I'm sure I exposed the film right. Is there any test that I could do before processing another roll to see what I need to do to it? Should I just increase developing time every time I put another roll through? I don't want to ruin another roll. Could I process the leader somehow and use those results? Thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trooper Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Nicole... Could you clarify what you mean by "only used once"? Did you pour back the used developer into the liter/gallon/quart (whatever quantity you mixed) or did you save the portion used once and use it again? It's hard to start troubleshooting with so many loose ends on the info. Let us know.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowell_huff1 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Most development times and dilutions are for "One shot" use. Use it and toss it. That way your developer will always be fresh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kol Posted July 21, 2005 Author Share Posted July 21, 2005 I put the used developer back into the larger container of developer. i didn't think it was a problem, because in my college campus's darkroom, you could process up to 20 rolls before it started to not work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kol Posted July 21, 2005 Author Share Posted July 21, 2005 so should i dump the developer and start over? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_waldroup3 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Nicole, most developers are best used as one shot developers. However, you can reuse the developer if you do it right away. Many, many years ago I used to develop all the B&W film for a local real estate magazine. I would develope 32 rolls at a time. This involved developing 16 rolls at a time in 2 Patterson 8-reel tanks. I would then reuse that developer for my next batch of 16 rolls which I added about 20% more time. I would then discard the used developer. But for small batch developing, I would definately do everything as a one shot deal. If I was you, I would dump the mixed developer you have now and start over with fresh stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garrylewis747 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 one question at a time-- what developer did you mix up and was it a liquid or a powder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kol Posted July 21, 2005 Author Share Posted July 21, 2005 liquid- ilford ilfosol s...and the back of the bottle says to only use once. go me! thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustys pics Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 Don't feel bad Nicole! I've been developing my own film for 20 years, and last Xmas I thought I was putting in fixer, but in fact it was a 2nd developer! I was able to salvage the negs, but I sure felt like a dolt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth_harper Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 "liquid- ilford ilfosol s...and the back of the bottle says to only use once. go me! thanks guys" You can use Ilfosol 1+9 twice but you need to increase the dev time by 10% or more for the second batch. Having said that for best results use only once. Also don't mix the whole bottle. Just mix what you need when you need. Once dilluted the developer will quickly go off. Mix, use and throw away. There's loads of PDF files on film, paper and chemicals on the ilford site at www.ilford.com Well worth printing em out and having a wee read. Keep at it, you'll get there soon! Have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_j._kravit1 Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 I started processing film 35 years ago. Got back from a trip last summer. The first roll I processed I added fixer instead of developer. Duh! Needless to say it was one roll that I "really" wanted. Sometimes we just have to take a step back and inhale. Don't fret it, live and learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaius1 Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Ilfosol S gives great results with films like FP4+, but its shelf life once opened is a matter of weeks. I have found Acutol lasts longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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