Dilute Developers

[bernard_wiessner]

I have been looking through a lot of film and developing time charts

and have seen Extol used at 1+1,1+2 and 1+3.However, with D76 or ID11

the dilutions are allways 1+1 or 1+3.Has anyone tried D76 or ID11 at

1+2.I thought I would try it and split the difference with the

developing time. Just curious.

 

Thanks to all

[rayfc]

Bernard,

 

Have not tried it myself but, was thinking about it. I've been reading the Film

Developer's Cookbook. Apparently, depending on it's dilution, D76 can

behave as either a solvent or surface developer. At stock and 1:1 dilution, it is

a solvent developer. At 1:3 it becomes a surface developer. Each developer

type works in a different way and has a different effect. Solvent developers

give fine grain at the cost of a little sharpness. Surface developers increase

sharpness at the cost of sightly more visible grain.

 

Perhaps a 1:2 dilution is still a solvent developer but, there is little or no

economic incentive to use it that way. Just my guess. I'd like to give it a try

but, at the moment, I've got several other related experiments underway.

 

Take Care

[m0002a]

The distinction between D-76 as a solvent developer at 1:1, and one with good acutance (surface developer??) at 1:3 is not as black and white as it is made to sound in the above post. In any case, D-76 at any dilution is not likely to �increase� sharpness, although at 1:3 it usually does not affect sharpness in a negative away as would happen if used straight. If you want to use 1:2 go ahead, I am sure it will work fine. They can�t publish times for every possible dilution. All puns are unintended.