Film Dev variations

[fidget]

I use a few developing tanks. Some System 4 or Super System 4 (all the same reels) and an old Johnsons tank. The later is a smaller tank with a smaller reel, such that the film is wound more closely on this than the others. I generally only use the Johnsons when the others are in use and i am developing several films in one session. Last night I ran a batch off and was yet again disappointed with the results (from my Moskva), these being under developed (and possibly under exposed, but this was my fault).
Today I dropped my tray of drying dev tank bits, whilst I was picking up the parts, I trod on the Johnsons tank and smashed it. Almost immediately I remembered that this tank was used for the failed film. I then tried to think back to a few of my more recent developing failures and though that it was quite possible that this tank was used during those sessions.
So it seems that loosing this tank may help to make my process more consistent.

Could the tighter spiral and smaller tank capacity of this tank compared to others I use be responsible for significant variations in development, if all other things are constant?

Dave.....

 

[erikhaugsby]

It would seem to provide less space for the developer to move about within the tank, though I'm not sure if that would severely impact the overall development.

 

[Trius]

My totally wilda$$ guess would be that a tighter spiral might be a problem if your agitation method wasn't vigorous enough to adequately redistribute the chemistry. I'm not talking about "violent" agitation (I'm of the less is more camp), but in this case you'd have to make sure you agitated enough to get the job done.

I think. Maybe. Quite possibly.

 

[ed1k]

Dave,

What developer you normally use and what delution? Could it be your method of agitation didn't work well with that Johnsons tank? Some of my tanks have reels which I can rotate, other have a lid so I have to rotate the tank itself, and one of them supposed to have some plastic handle to rotate a reel which I don't have and do not agitate when develop film in this tank. No problem at all. I would think of exhausted developer if you re-use developer without replenisher and do not correct time for each next roll.

Cheers,
Eduard

 

[vicmortelmans]

Maybe there's just less developer in the small tank and it gets exhausted. Was underdevelopment always the problem?

Groeten,
Vic

 

[fidget]

Ah well, now I must confess :angel: in this case, this tank got used because the other 2 were already loaded with film (assuming 120), so this was used to develop the third film by re-using ID11 @ 1:1, (that is 500 ml total). As for the agitation, I use the same for all tanks, 30sec initial agitation then 10s each minute by inverting the tank (fairly gentle).
I often develop a third film (35mm, testing a camera or lens generally), and have not had this sort of failure when the third is 35mm, which is done in another system4 tank (35mm only size).
Am I being too mean with my ID11 stock?

 

[nikon_sam]

Ah well, now I must confess :angel: in this case, this tank got used because the other 2 were already loaded with film (assuming 120), so this was used to develop the third film by re-using ID11 @ 1:1, (that is 500 ml total). As for the agitation, I use the same for all tanks, 30sec initial agitation then 10s each minute by inverting the tank (fairly gentle).
I often develop a third film (35mm, testing a camera or lens generally), and have not had this sort of failure when the third is 35mm, which is done in another system4 tank (35mm only size).
Am I being too mean with my ID11 stock?

I don't think so...I have reused D-76 up to three times...I just add a minute or so more time on the last tank...3 times would be my limit...If developing Tri-x and then a roll or two of Tmax (I tend to stay away from Tmax) I will develope the Tmax last...

 

[ed1k]

I am not familiar with ID-11. Generally, I would add a minute or so for every next roll, up to 3 rolls per 300 ml of solution. I assume you develop all rolls in one session. i.e. if you left deluted developer over night in order to develop third roll next day, the properties of developing solution may differ drastically.

Generally, 120 roll and 35mm 36 exposures roll, they both have the same real estate (square feet that is). The only thing I may think of, if last roll was 35mm and didn't exhibit this sort of failure, the narrower 35mm all together with sprocket holes makes agitation more efficient... Well, the second thought, 35mm is usually different emulsion than 120 film, even for the same type of film. Though, not to degree of significantly different development time.

Cheers,
Eduard