How precise are your HC-110 dilutions?

[dyao]

I'm having lots of trouble finding an appropriate syringe here. Right now I'm using a big eyedropper that's supposed to be used for cooking, but it's not too accurate. I develop three rolls at a time, so for dilution B my ratio should be ~870 mL of water to ~30 mL of concentrate (actually 872-28)...I can get in the ballpark but not be precise.

 

[sleepyhead]

Hello, in processing your own film, it's more important to be consistent, than precise.
You can always adjust your times a bit shorter or longer, but try to reduce the number of variables.
Same goes for temperature and agitation - try to be consistent between rolls.
Good luck and enjoy!

 

[FrankS]

Don't sweat it. I can remember before the first time I developed film, I was concerned about knowing if the stated times included or excluded pouring times. 🙂

 

[wgerrard]

Look around for a set of measuring spoons used in cooking and baking. They are often marked in milliliters as well as ounces or fractions and multiples of teaspoons.

 

[semilog]

I'm having lots of trouble finding an appropriate syringe here. Right now I'm using a big eyedropper that's supposed to be used for cooking, but it's not too accurate. I develop three rolls at a time, so for dilution B my ratio should be ~870 mL of water to ~30 mL of concentrate (actually 872-28)...I can get in the ballpark but not be precise.

Should be easy to find a 50 ml syringe, or use two shots with a 20 ml. Either method should give you ±5% accuracy if you're reasonably careful.

If you look at the development time differences* for a lot of developers (say, D-76) at standard vs. 1:1 dilution, a 5% margin of error in making your HC-110 is not likely to pose a problem, unless you are extremely (perhaps absurdly) critical about exposure, temperature, agitation, etc.

*For example: Neopan 400 at 20° C in D76 stock, 7.5 min.; in D76 1:1, 9.5 min.

 

[mooge]

how precise?

not at all.🙂

 

[Pfreddee]

I'm not very precise, but I am fairly consistent.

With best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[dyao]

It's not that easy to find syringes outside the states!

Bonus, here's a page that ought to please the stickler in all of us...

http://morrisonlabs.com/meniscus.htm

 

[nikon_sam]

A visit to your local Vet should result in finding a small syringe...
I found some at a not so local electronics shop...I bought enough to last a while...
Maybe try an Army surplus store...