Marel
Established
Hi!
I want to try using a liquid developer now that I've used the powdered mixtures a bit (D-76 and Xtol) to find out if I like it more. So I went to my trusty supplier of all things photographic and found a bottle labeled Ilford Ilfotec HC Replenisher. Silly old me thought that was all fine and dandy, until I started googling this replenisher thing.
So my question is: Can I dilute this replenisher and develop with it or are some chemicals missing from the developer mixture? Is it simply a more concentrated developer or is there some fundamental difference? Should I return the bottle and forget the whole thing?
Many thanks in advance!
I want to try using a liquid developer now that I've used the powdered mixtures a bit (D-76 and Xtol) to find out if I like it more. So I went to my trusty supplier of all things photographic and found a bottle labeled Ilford Ilfotec HC Replenisher. Silly old me thought that was all fine and dandy, until I started googling this replenisher thing.
So my question is: Can I dilute this replenisher and develop with it or are some chemicals missing from the developer mixture? Is it simply a more concentrated developer or is there some fundamental difference? Should I return the bottle and forget the whole thing?
Many thanks in advance!
Marel
Established
I shall try, perhaps in vain, to bump this to the front page, hoping that some kindhearted developing genius happens to find my cry of help…!
Lauffray
Invisible Cities
I'm also intrigued by this, though I don't know the answer.
Have you compared the formulas ? Sometimes for well known developers you can find the active developing agent and see if it's present in the replenisher as well and at what concentration.
Also, I know of some techniques where people would use a diluted developer solution as a replenisher for an older developer solution (same chemistry obviously). That obviously doesn't imply the opposite is true, but maybe they're not that far off.
Have you actually tried ? Sacrifice a roll for the sake of knowledge !
Have you compared the formulas ? Sometimes for well known developers you can find the active developing agent and see if it's present in the replenisher as well and at what concentration.
Also, I know of some techniques where people would use a diluted developer solution as a replenisher for an older developer solution (same chemistry obviously). That obviously doesn't imply the opposite is true, but maybe they're not that far off.
Have you actually tried ? Sacrifice a roll for the sake of knowledge !
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I'm thinking replenisher might be missing certain chemicals that don't get exhausted during development, such as sodium sulfite, restrainer, or ?? (just guessing, really).
Ronald M
Veteran
NO NO NO.Stay away
Fotohuis
Well-known
Not a good idea for optimum development.
Fotohuis
Well-known
If you want to try hassle free liquid developer optimized for almost any B&W film and semi-compensating you should try the new Rollei Supergrain, a further development of the in Europe very populair AM74 from Amaloco Photochemicals in Holland who stopped producing in 2008 and it was really a lost item. The new developer is also Eco friendly and without any compromise in lifespan. Made by SPUR for Rollei-Maco. I think they did a very good job.
Marel
Established
Thanks for the replies and helpful info everyone! I went the simple route and returned the replenisher and got a bottle of Ilfosol 3 developer. The Rollei looks interesting, will check it out.
I've just finished developing the first roll with the Ilfosol, looks OK.
I've just finished developing the first roll with the Ilfosol, looks OK.
Bill Clark
Veteran
Nope.
I don't use replenisher.
I use D-76, 1+1 once then throw away.
Kinda like drinking wine, it goes down once then, in a matter of time it gets dumped into the toilet! It only gets replenished with a new bottle!
I don't use replenisher.
I use D-76, 1+1 once then throw away.
Kinda like drinking wine, it goes down once then, in a matter of time it gets dumped into the toilet! It only gets replenished with a new bottle!
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Some replenishers can be used as developers: mostly, they have twice the concentration of developing agents and more or stronger alkali. I see that this is now merely of academic interest to the OP but others may be interested. Normally you'd only use neat replenisher in an emergency, though I vaguely recall D19R being recommended as an aggressive push developer.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.