Good re-usable developers?

[dropoff]

I have been using Diafine for a a bit and i like it because i can use it for a while without worrying about replenishing. I have been having some serious bromide drag issues that i cant resolve. Are there any other developers out there that can be re used over and over that any one can recommend?

 

[coelacanth]

How about good old D-76? You can reuse is over and over. Only thing I don't like about it is that when it does get exhausted, it gets exhausted quite suddenly, ends up with very thin films when I realize it.

 

[wintoid]

I'd read that the bromide drag can be alleviated by presoaking. Of course, I've also read that you're not meant to presoak Diafine, so give it a try and see.

Failing that, perhaps try something like Barry Thornton's two-bath

 

[Roger Hicks]

Any reusable developer builds hydrobromic acid with time, resulting in lower true ISO. This should however be a negligible concern with 2-bath.

I'm sure what you mean by 'bromide drag'. Is this not a synonym for bromide streamers? In which case it is an agitation problem and very little to do with hydrobromic acid.

Pre-soaking a film before a two-bath developer pretty much renders the two-bath dev useless, as the premise is (1) soaking the developing agent into the film and (2) activating it in the second bath. If the film is already saturated with water, developer take-up will be much reduced.

Cheers,

R.

 

[presspass]

The two-bath D23 type developers can be reused for up to 20 rolls for A solution and 10 rolls for B solution. The Film Developer's Cookbook has several examples, but I have found the times are a bit off. If you don't mind replenishing, Xtol is a wonderful developer and the developer itself acts as the replenisher so you only need one solution. I've had replenished Xtol last as long as two years, putting 10+ rolls a week through it.

 

[Ducky]

I'm sure what you mean by 'bromide drag'. Is this not a synonym for bromide streamers?
R.

Ah, a chance to learn something new.
Roger, what is the definition of drag vs. streamers. I sometimes get lines down from the sprocket holes, I always assumed this is 'bromide drag'.
Thanks
Your faithful student, Ducky.

 

[iamzip]

There is an article on another site outlining a technique which supposedly eliminates bromide drag:

http://www.toycamera.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=56

 

[Roger Hicks]

Ah, a chance to learn something new.
Roger, what is the definition of drag vs. streamers. I sometimes get lines down from the sprocket holes, I always assumed this is 'bromide drag'.
Thanks
Your faithful student, Ducky.

Your understanding is identical to mine. These are also known as bromide streamers, as far as I am aware, and are almost invariably a sign of inadequate agitation. Very rarely, they can be a sign of insufficiently random agitation, but streamers from 'too much' agitation (a common internet belief) is impossible as long as the agitation is reasonably random.

A fully seasoned (replenished) developer can last half way to forever, but true ISO with e.g. seasoned D76 will fall to about half the true ISO in fresh D76.

Cheers,

R.

 

[-doomed-]

I like D-76 as its replenishable. Ive been using the same D-76 I mixed in august with replenisher , though Ive noticed a speed reduction much like what Roger states. I also believe the my d-76 has gone funky on me at this point since for the last 10 rolls I've left it behind for my latest obsession with cheap Chinese Lucky 100SHD film and rodinal 1:100 stand.

 

[dazedgonebye]

2-bath developers such as Barry Thornton's formula can be used many times before dumping. There are other advantages as well for the person who wants good results with minimal fuss.

 

[dropoff]

thanks everyone for the responses. presoaking the film in water for a few minutes before using the diafine. that seems to have stopped the bromide drifting issues.