The Film Photography Handbook by Chris Marquardt

Author:Chris Marquardt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rocky Nook

Diluting the Developer

Unlike the fixer, which can be prepared days or weeks in advance, the developer, once diluted, should be used within a few hours. Most one-shot developers lose their potency quite quickly once diluted. We usually dilute the developer just before we are going to use it.

Some types of developer can be used several times and need to be replenished with new developer before the next use. Important: If not otherwise specified, please use normal tap water for diluting the developer. Very few developers require distilled water. The reason? Most developer concentrates contain a softening agent, the same as in laundry detergents. It makes sure that the developing results stay consistent even with different grades of water hardness. If you are working with already softened water, the softening agent does not have anything to do and may have a negative effect on the processing result.

Before you start diluting the developer, you first need a recipe that tells you the ratio of developer concentrate or stock solution to water. Such recipes can be found on the film data sheet that comes with the film (usually as overview on the inside of the box), or can be downloaded online from the manufacturer’s or retailer’s website.

Measuring developer concentrate

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