DO you use a stopper with film development?

[sf]

I have read that it isn't necessary - and I like that idea. I'd like to have one less chemical to worry about, and one less way to ruin my negs on my careless days.

So, do you or do you not use a stopper, and why, and does it affect quality or the longevity of the negs?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

That needs to be qualified.

Like saying that I've read that cooking your food isn't necessary. True, if what I've read about was ceviche or sushi, or salad...

My point is, there are some developers with which you don't need a stop solution. One of them is Diafine, for it is a two-bath developer (the second bath takes care of the first). Others, if you really care about the life longevity of your fixer solution, you must use a stop solution.

That's one "in-a-nutshell" answer.

 

[sf]

So, for something like Clayton F76, I should use a stopper so that my fixer lasts longer? I understand that - makes sense.

 

[Socke]

I use mostly Amaloco chemicals and for the rapid fixer a stop is necessary.

 

[back alley]

i use water only.

 

[sf]

So you just run water through the tank for a while?

A big issue for me might be soft vs hard water. Our water is . .. I don;t know, but I have read that can be an issue.

Will it be necessary to buy distilled water?

 

[back alley]

yep.

after i dump the developer, i run temp controlled water into the tank.
i fill/empty/fill/empty a few times and then pour in the fixer.
i don't keep my fixer too long so i'm not worried about exhausting it too soon.

after all is said and done, the film and chemicals are the cheap part of this hobby.

joe

 

[RayPA]

I mostly use a non-water stop bath, unless the developer process specifies otherwise. An acid stop bath arrests development instantly. It's really just a personal choice, depending on the variables you want to control. Stop is another cheap chemical, lots of choices, too. Right now I use Kodak Indicator Stop.

 

[sf]

DO you find that using a multi-roll tank is more cost effective? I know it is certainly more time-effective.

 

[kaiyen]

I have never used stop bath. I do 3 water changes between dev and fix. So:

-pour out dev
-pour in water then pour out
-pour in water then pour out
-pour in water then pour out
-pour in fixer

I use a 2 bath fix and have not nocticed any decrease in fixer capacitythrough this method.

allan

 

[Silva Lining]

I always use a Stop bath. Either Ilfostop or Kodak TMax Stop.

That's not to say that it's absolutley necessary, it just seems to work for me so why change it?

 

[bmattock]

I don't use a stop bath, and I don't use hypo wash, either. Developer and water, then fixer and water. Then photo-flo and that's it.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[doubs43]

I have read that it isn't necessary - So, do you or do you not use a stopper, and why, and does it affect quality or the longevity of the negs?

I use only running water adjusted for 68 degrees (20C) and run through a filter. You can see from my picture how I've adapted an in-line water filter for the purpose of film development. The actual filter is a sediment type that filters out particles as small as 5 microns (IIRC).

Walker

 

[f/stopblues]

I also don't use stop. I use a similar method to Joe and Allen.. the water, pour, water, pour, fix. Seems to work well, but ask me again in 50 years how they held up (that's 2056.. good gravy!)

 

[sf]

I have never used stop bath. I do 3 water changes between dev and fix. So:

-pour out dev
-pour in water then pour out
-pour in water then pour out
-pour in water then pour out
-pour in fixer

I use a 2 bath fix and have not nocticed any decrease in fixer capacitythrough this method.

allan

why a two bath fix? You mean you fix, rise, and fix again? Or is that merely the nature of the particular fixer you are using?

 

[jcline]

I'm with kaiyen on this one. I rince 3 times with aprox room tempature water. In my case tap water.

Dev
Water
Water
Water
Fixer
Water
photoflow
dry

 

[sf]

OK, about tap water - I have heard that mineral content can cause certain unpleasant effects.

Anyone ever had any unpleasant effects?

 

[kaiyen]

If you have particularly hard water, you can have some effects. However, usually for the rinses and what not you're fine. Your best bet would be to install a filter on at least the one faucet you're using. If that's not an option, then buy distilled water for mixing up your chemicals and for your final rinse (and I mean final - I use 3 with tap then 1 with distilled). The rinses in between are fine even with somewhat-hard tap.

I do a 2-bath fix because it helps get it completely clear of silver, and because it makes sure all the dye is out. It lets me get 40 rolls out of 1 liter of fixer, too.

allan

 

[doubs43]

OK, about tap water - I have heard that mineral content can cause certain unpleasant effects. Anyone ever had any unpleasant effects?

Yes, tap water can have mineral deposits and more dirt than you can imagine. That's why I filter my water. I'm on city water so the minerals aren't a problem but dirt particles are. It depends upon your water source, really. Some are luckier than others. It doesn't hurt to use a Foto-Flo solution as a final rinse with known clean water.

Walker

 

[Andrew Touchon]

I have read that it isn't necessary - and I like that idea. I'd like to have one less chemical to worry about, and one less way to ruin my negs on my careless days.

So, do you or do you not use a stopper, and why, and does it affect quality or the longevity of the negs?

Yes, because I use T-MAX and using the stopper makes my fixer last a lot longer.