Kodak D-76 HELP!!!!!

[EcoLeica]

Hiya fellows, i need some big help here. I just got some D-76 developer the other (im starting home developing) and i have no idea how to mix this stuff. The instructions are a little confusing for a beginner.

What dilution is needed for a stock solution and how what dilution is needed to for working solution when i want to develop. I dont really want to mix the whole thing into a working solution, just a little at time. Im getting really confused from some sites of the internet. If anyone can help me I would be very greatful

 

[eric]

Hiya fellows, i need some big help here. I just got some D-76 developer the other (im starting home developing) and i have no idea how to mix this stuff. The instructions are a little confusing for a beginner.

What dilution is needed for a stock solution and how what dilution is needed to for working solution when i want to develop. I dont really want to mix the whole thing into a working solution, just a little at time. Im getting really confused from some sites of the internet. If anyone can help me I would be very greatful

There is NO dilution for stock solution. You mix per instructions to make a stock solution.

The stuff that you get from the yellow bags are formulated to create the stock solution. Did you get a 1 liter or 1 gallon bag?
If you got a 1 gallon bag, and weigh it, and divide it by 4 (to get 1 liter), you may have some trouble.
But basically, you take the bag, and make however much it says on the bag.

For 1 liter, you take 750ml of h20 (125 degrees), slowly pour the contents of bag in, and mix. When mixed, top it off to be 1 liter. See, that wasn't too hard.

For 1 gallon, you make 2250 ml of h20 (125 degress), slowly pour the contents of the bag in, and mix. Then top it off to 1 gallon.

To use, you take the container, and make your appropriate working solution. 1:1, 1:3. This is how it will be for all developers.

If you don't want to make it all, you should go with liquid developers (id11 or rodinol or hc110).

I usually only make 1 liter of the stuff.

 

[EcoLeica]

cool thanks heaps....just a side thought if i do divide the powder into 4....what would i store the excess in?

 

[rover]

cool thanks heaps....just a side thought if i do divide the powder into 4....what would i store the excess in?

That is one problem, but the more important one is that there is no way you can guarantee that the different dry chemicals will be distributed equally when you split the batch up. Change the mix of chemicals and you really don't have D76 any more. It really isn't recommended that you split the mix.

 

[markinlondon]

I can remember reading somewhere on the interweb about a man who claimed to put his D76 powder into a tupperware box and then measured out enough for a roll with a teaspoon. He said he'd been doing this since it was reformulated to a single powder with perfect results. I had my doubts for the reasons Rover states above.

 

[ronnie_retro]

The tupperware idea seems promising if you mix the dry chemicals with say a teaspoon before measuring out the amount needed. This would ensure the proper mix ratio of the chemistry. I haven't tried it, but a search of the interweb(I love that term - it's just so wrong) shows that there are O2 scavenging packets available for the pharmaceutical and food industries. Since the reaction seems to make H2O as a by product sachets can be had that are dessicating as well as O2 scavenging. Try ones for the food industry to keep the costs down.

Might be the perfect approach - just an idea.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

There's a problem with the roll-per-roll approach, and it is that D-76 must be mixed at a higher temperature than that of its use. Hence, dear Ecoleica, you're bound to mix the entire bag. Store the mix (called stock solution) in an airtight plastic bottle and shoot away.

If you're concerned about making it last, then mix it with an equal part of water (say, 300 ml of D-76 stock and 300 ml of water). That's called 1:1 solution. Be aware that if you use the solution, developing times are a little longer than with stock.

In any case, just mix the bag and store it properly.

Another pointer: pour one gallon or liter (check the envelope) of water in a pot and boil it. Then, let the water rest overnight. The following morning, heat it up to the necessary temperature and mix it according to the directions. Then, store it and let it cool. All the boiling and overnight cooling is needed, according to some, to rid the water of as much oxygen as possible. This makes the solution last a bit longer.

To be quite honest, I haven't done it. The first time I mixed D-76 I simply bought a gallorn of purified water for 89 cents at the local grocery store.

Take care and good luck!

 

[titrisol]

You have to mix the whole batch.
Use about 3/4 of the volume (750ml or 2.3l) of hot water (50C /120F) and dissolve the powder
Then add cold water to full volume (1l or 1 gallon)

The mix can be stored in 300ml/12oz soda bottles filled to the brim and tightly caped for a few months (I have only tried 12 mos) without problems. Of course brown bottles (cough syrup) work best.
And from then you can open each of those at a time.

 

[rich815]

Mix the whole batch. I've had gallon containers (brown opaque plastic) full of D-76 that lasted for 6 months or more with no problems. Just go out shooting more and use it up!