D-76 development question

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kvanderlaag

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This is probably going to sound fairly basic, so I apologize in advance.

In the discussions about developing with Rodinal, the general thing I've seen is that decreasing the concentration of the developer (1:50 instead of 1:20, for example) decreases the visibility of the film's grain.

Basically, I'm wondering if the same applies to D-76 (or any developer, for that matter.)

While the results I've been getting aren't terrible (the grain is actually somewhat pleasing as it came out) I've been working with a stock solution, which tends to disappear fairly quickly using it one-shot, and if I were to dilute the solution, I wouldn't be adverse to decreasing the amount of grain present.

My scanner really seems to think it's cool to accentuate film grain scanning B&W negatives.

Thanks!
 
Hi Keegan -- D76 has a solvent action that softens the grain, making it look less prominent. This is most effective at full concentration, and as you dilute it further the solvent action diminishes quickly. At 1:3 the grain is sharper, crisper, than at full-strength, and the photo looks a little sharper over-all. I don't know about diluting it further, but it might be workable as long as you have enough developing agent present to work properly on the film's surface area. This might involve using much more diluted liquid volume than needed to simply immerse the film completely.
 
Keegan,

It's not clear to me. Are you using a straight undiluted D76 as a one-shsot? Also, I believe as you dilute a solvent developer, graininess increases (as Doug stated, and for the reasons he stated).
I consider comparing D76 to Rodinal, like comparing apples to oranges. One being a solvent and the other a non-solvent, two different categories of developers.


.
 
Well it is a very good question. Things like these come around every time someone starts devloping film themselves. And figuring out how scanning behaves.
So any comments are very appreciated, by me too.

How grainy is an apple?
 
kvanderlaag said:
This is probably going to sound fairly basic, so I apologize in advance.

In the discussions about developing with Rodinal, the general thing I've seen is that decreasing the concentration of the developer (1:50 instead of 1:20, for example) decreases the visibility of the film's grain.

Basically, I'm wondering if the same applies to D-76 (or any developer, for that matter.)

While the results I've been getting aren't terrible (the grain is actually somewhat pleasing as it came out) I've been working with a stock solution, which tends to disappear fairly quickly using it one-shot, and if I were to dilute the solution, I wouldn't be adverse to decreasing the amount of grain present.

My scanner really seems to think it's cool to accentuate film grain scanning B&W negatives.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

this recent thread might be of some help :http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19025
 
Ahh, well that clears things up a bunch!

It's possible that I'm just overreacting, since the last roll I did was 400 ISO anyways and is (to my understanding) naturally bound to be grainier than something like 50 or 100 ISO?

Perhaps I'll try a 1+1 solution for another roll anyways and see how it comes out, and maybe pick up some Rodinal to see if it's my cup of tea. I really just use D-76 because I have LOTS of it!

Thanks everyone!
 
BTW, D76 is a great film developer, I tried my types , but I always come back to D76. it is a classic film developer.
 
D76 has a high concentration of sodium sulfite, which will decrease the grain by "chewing" on it.
This "chewing" has the side effect of decreasing the apparent shrapness.
Increasing the dilution of D76 to 1+1 or 1+3 causes the sharpness to come back and the grain to appear in a more honest way since the sulfite concentration will be below the "silver-chewing" levels

Sin ce you have lots of D76 would you be willing to try D76 1+3 and add 4 g/l of vitamin C?
first: in a little water add 1 teaspoon of vitamin C per 500 ml of solution, then add 1/2 teaspoon of washing soda (sodium carbonate) to neutralize it.
Add the rest of water and then the D76

Development times should be in the 1+1 order.
 
D76 has a high concentration of sodium sulfite, which will decrease the grain by "chewing" on it.
This "chewing" has the side effect of decreasing the apparent shrapness.
Increasing the dilution of D76 to 1+1 or 1+3 causes the sharpness to come back and the grain to appear in a more honest way since the sulfite concentration will be below the "silver-chewing" levels

Sin ce you have lots of D76 would you be willing to try D76 1+3 and add 4 g/l of vitamin C?
first: in a little water add 1 teaspoon of vitamin C per 500 ml of solution, then add 1/2 teaspoon of washing soda (sodium carbonate) to neutralize it.
Add the rest of water and then the D76

Development times should be in the 1+1 order and you may find some nice shadow detail.....
I haven't used D76 in ages but after "perverting" Rodinal with VitaminC I think this maybe in order
 
Pablo,
What would the Vitamin C do for the D76 1+3? Reduce grain while keeping sharpness?

allan
 
In the discussions about developing with Rodinal, the general thing I've seen is that decreasing the concentration of the developer (1:50 instead of 1:20, for example) decreases the visibility of the film's grain.

Basically, I'm wondering if the same applies to D-76 (or any developer, for that matter.)
Click to expand...


With D-76, the more the dilution, the more the grain. Just like with any sulfite developer.

Tom
 
Xactly that is what I believe.
Ascorbic has shown supperaditivity with p-aminophenol and phenidone, so I asusme it'll also be supperadditive with metol, but i don;t know if it will inhibit/clash with HQ though.

kaiyen said:
Pablo,
What would the Vitamin C do for the D76 1+3? Reduce grain while keeping sharpness?

allan
Click to expand...
 
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