Developing time question?

[semrich]

After reading all the helpful information on this forum I have just started to develop my own B&W film.

Some of the information I am grateful to have run across helped me to buy my developing equipment, like the Hewes stainless steel reels and stainless steel tank, after some practice in daylight they are really easy to load, and the Calumet "changing room" is very nice, as examples.

After making a totally stupid mistake and ruining a few rolls of film (which I'm not going to explain) I have since developed 6 rolls of HP5 and 2 of FP4 with decent results.

I have kept my temperatures right at spec. for my chemicals and stick right to the times for developing, stop bath, and fixing.

However one thing is bugging me about the developing time, using the stainless steel tank and pouring the developer into it with a 500ml graduate as fast as possible takes about 15 seconds. Now here is the big question when do I start the timer?

Up until now I have started the timer then poured in the developer then done 4 inversions in 10 seconds. I pour out the developer 15 seconds before the end of the developing time because the film continues to develop until I pour in the stop bath. Because of this I got to wondering if I'm underdeveloping by starting the timer before pouring in the developer.

All information is appreciated.

 

[Morca007]

As far as I know, you should start the timer when you start pouring, I give myself about 5 extra seconds to compensate for fumbling.

 

[ChrisN]

I start the the timer when I start pouring.

Something else to worry about - pouring the developer out! The developer is still working up to the point the stop bath hits the film!

Only recently I have begun to experiment with developing times 10% and 20% shorter than recommended. It has amazed me how little effect one whole minute less developing has on the negative. I've since stopped worrying about the time it takes to pour the developer in, or out of the tank.

 

[Epimetheus]

There are so many variables in film development and exposing the film so I don’t think a few seconds here or there will be significant. I start the timer usually after pouring in the developer.

 

[drewbarb]

It doesn't really matter as long as you are consistent. You will probably find that you need to tweak either your development times or your exposure rating (or both) for any given film/developer combo to give the best negatives. Develop a regular routine of your actions during processing, and always start your timer at the same point in the process, and your results will be fine. As you adjust your development time, you automatically compensate for the amount of time in the in and out pours.

I don't start my timer until the tank is full of chem and capped, and I pick it up to begin agitation. Yes, my film is getting an extra 15 seconds- and since I don't pour out until the timer finishes it's getting some more time there, too- so it's probably more like 25 or 30 seconds more than the timer indicates. But since I do it the same way every time, and my times are adjusted for the best negs, my pour-in and pour-out time is properly accounted for.

 

[oscroft]

I start the timer when I start pouring in the developer, pour the developer out about 15 seconds before the time is up, and start pouring in the stop-bath (I actually just use plain water for stop) at the moment the timer reaches full time. Alternatively, you could start the timer when you have finished pouring in the developer and stop it when you have finished pouring in the stop-bath (but that makes judging when to start pouring in the stop a bit trickier - although a few seconds either way won't make any noticeable difference).

 

[Jonathan R]

I start timing once the chemical is all in, and regard development as continuing until the stop bath or wash water is in.

Pour the chemicals in and out as fast as you can without spilling. If you are using a Paterson tank, it's surprising how fast they can go in.

 

[brandonjscott]

Drew is correct, consistancy is what is important. It doesn't matter when you start the timer or pour the developer out as long as you are consistant with your procedure.

If your highlights are too thin, increase your development time; if your highlights are too dense, decrease your development time. Always use the same procedure (when you start the timer and when you pour developer out as well as agitation) regardless of development time, and quickly you will find your own personal deveopment time for your film and your developing methods.

 

[semrich]

Thank you everyone, all of your responses have been helpful, I feel much more comfortable with the lattitude in developing and have decided, as recommended, to stick to one standard process and that will be starting the timer after the developer is in and the tank is capped. I had a feeling that would be the best way and your answers were helpful.