First Time with ID-11 Powder

[Suse]

Hi

I've just bought a first pack of ID-11 powder. I've never used powder before, always used Ilfotec DD-X.

Can anyone explain about re-using it, please? The instructions on the inside are a bit short on detail for a beginner. Can I reuse it? Do I just pour it back into a plastic bottle? When I reuse it is there a guide to development times, because I sure as heck can't see any guide to what to do! :bang:

Can anyone help! 🙁

Sue

 

[ZorkiKat]

To dissolve: dissolve small package first in hot (about 50 C) water. Use about 1/2 total volume needed. When fully dissolved, add some cold water to cool the solution a bit to make up to about 80% of total volume. Add the contents of the bigger package. When fully dissolved, top with water to make up required volume. Make sure to follow this sequence, or you might get some undissolved particles in the solution.

ID-11 can be reused to a certain degree. A 1 litre solution is good for about 8-10 rolls. Develop the first three rolls at the given time, then add about 10% more time for each succeeding roll. Reusing used ID-11 can be tricky. Also, as
developer gets exhausted, adding time may not fully compensate for its weakening. Re-use developer only if films are developed within a short span (1 to 2 weeks). Used developer decomposes in storage, so after some time, its potency will be affected even if no additional film is developed in it.

Even unused developer has a limited life. It should be stored full and stoppered tightly.

ID-11 can be used as a one-shot developer, albeit less economically. Dilute it from 1+1 to 1+3 with water. The last dilution gives compensating effects and extra perceived sharpness.

Jay

 

[markinlondon]

Ok, Suse, here's my way with ID-11. I would urge you to do your own testing for capacity.
Make up 1l pack as per instructions. Store in a PET bottle, HDPE bottles are too gas-permeable. I usually use Canada Dry ginger ale 1l bottles as they're green. A little clingfilm will give you a better gas seal under the cap. Squeeze the bottle to exclude air. Once you've made up your developer you need to let it stand for all the particles you can't see to dissolve fully before use, a few hours should do it and it needs to cool anyway. Note the date you made up the pack.
Ilford recommend adding 10% time after each roll. I have found this to be too generous and find that 10% extra every two rolls is more consistent in my testing. I then pour the developer from the tank back into the bottle after each use, squeezing out the air as before. I record another tick on my darkroom whiteboard against ID-11 usage. I usually get 12 rolls per litre before dumping. After a few rolls you will see suspended colloidal silver, this can be removed by passing the developer through a coffee filter.

As I said, this works for me as it has worked for many amateurs since ID-11/D76 has been around. Your results may vary, I can't stress the importance of testing for capacity enough.