Developing 4 rolls at once.. What adjustments do I need to make.

[ibcrewin]

I was planning on developing 2 rolls at a time but I got backed up and now I am going to whip out the 4 roll tank.

I'm guessing I need to adjust and take into account pouring time in for the developer. Is there anything else I should do?

Oh also, When do you start the clock? ONce the developer is in? or just as you start pouring? I guess it doesn't make much of a difference with 10 min dev time but when your going 6.5 min, I think it would make some difference. Am I over analyizing this? :bang:

Thanks,
Ivan

 

[oscroft]

Hi Ivan,

There's no compensation necessary - if you start the clock when you start pouring in the developer, and time it until you start pouring in the stop bath, you'll get the right time regardless of the time it takes to fill the tank.

 

[Tom A]

Only adjsutment I would do is to cut agitation to once every 60 seconds, rather than the 30 sec. interval. I use 5 reel tanks and do 30 sec agitation initially and then 8-10 seconds every 60 sec (2-3 inversions).
It really does not matter if you start timing from when you start filling the tank or when it is filled. The trick is to be consistent and do it the same way every time. This way you will know if you have to compensate for it the next time.
It does depend on the developer too - if you use an an "aggressive" dveloper (Rodinal 1:25, HC 110 etc) - a lot of action takes place at the beginning.
One way is to start timing when the tank is being filled and stop at the end of the cycle. Once you have the tank filled you are agitating instantly and usually need both hands on the tank and having to start the timer will require that you hold it with one hand only and -boy can it become a mess when it slips out of your hand!
If you are using 4 reel tanks, they are usually Stainless Nikkor type tanks and they are a bit slow to fill/empty, but as long as you are consistent every time - it becomes a "selfcompensating" procedure after a while.

 

[drewbarb]

I don't do anything to adjust between the 2 roll and 4 roll tanks. Maybe I start my pour out a few seconds sooner- but I try to use longer times where the 8-10 seconds difference doesn't matter. Don't worry about it- unless you are using very short times, it won't matter.

I start the timer as soon as I snap the cap on after pouring in my chemistry. The only thing that really matters here is that you do it the same way every time. Consistency is paramount.

 

[ibcrewin]

Thanks!!!.. I'm out of here (work) in ten minutes. After the kiddies go to bed it's soup time!