D76 Stock vs 1:1

[whitecat]

I wonder if I can get some comments on what members think here with one vs the other.
Thanks

 

[Bill Clark]

I like using D-76 either 1+1 or 1+3.

I like the extended developing times as I find this allows a little more variance relative to time & temperature. The shorter the developing time, the more accurate the person needs with the developing temperature, time of development and this includes draining the can of developing chemicals and whether you use stop bath or water before fixing.

From what I've read the longer developing times with dilute developers gives a sharper image. To be honest, I don't notice much of a difference but my eyes are almost 64 years old!

I find film developing can be a fun area to experiment. However, it's nice to have a main developer, working solution down pat before going off in other directions.

Hope this helps you.

 

[Rob-F]

I use it 1:1, but in a 16 oz tank--even for one 35mm roll. Using it 1:1 gives a sharper negative, owing to the NaSO3 (sodium Sulfite), being more dilute, thus not reducing the grain as much. That also makes it less fine-grain, but even with Tri-X it's fine enough for me! Any finer and I wouldn't be able to focus on the grain with the grain magnifier. . .

 

[Beemermark]

Both answers are right on. By diluting the developer it becomes exhausted, thus time and temperature are more forgiving. 1:3 is even better but it's a long time in the dark room.

 

[ChrisN]

+1 for 1+3. (Does that = 5?)

 

[Arvay]

1:3 all the time (as Kenna 🙂 , stock when I have no time to develop. Yesterday I used stock (you can see post in Travel) because I could not wait)

 

[defconfunk]

I haven't seen any times for 1+3.

How do you guys do your time & aggitation at 1+3?

 

[gns]

I always used it diluted 1:1 for a couple of reasons...
Throwing out after every use keeps things consistent.
I tended to do a lot of short dev times, so diluting helped keep them from getting too short.

I never tried 1:3, but maybe I should have.

Gary

 

[venchka]

1:1.
As mentioned above:
Comfortable developing time.
Always using fresh developer.
I use Xtol 1:3 all the time. I suppose it would work for D-76 as well.

Wayne

 

[anjoca76]

I've done both stock and 1:1, and tend to prefer 1:1. It has better tonal range than stock, in my opinion.

 

[Roger Hicks]

More dilution = more speed & bigger grain & arguably more sharpness (less solvent effect). Personally I'd judge it on tonality: whichever you prefer.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Nokton48]

I prefer using it stock, so I can replenish it. After running fifty rolls, I pitch it.

 

[NeeZee]

I only use stock when pushing hp5 2 stops - better results than 1+1 and shorter developing times of course...