Reusing smaller batches of T-MAX developer

[kennylovrin]

Hey guys

I just need some help from the forum to figure out if my logic makes sense regarding this. First I just want to say that let's not discuss wether I should or should not reuse T-MAX developer, let's just say that I want to try it. 🙂

So, what I want to do is also mix smaller batches of 1 liter at a time, instead of mixing 5 liters in one go.

I was reading the data sheet on the developer and it says it is possible to develop about 48 rolls per gallon.

Now because I'm Swedish it is impossible for me to grasp gallons, so here's what I'm thinking (I'm rounding off the numbers a bit here for simplicity):

1 gallon is about 3,78 liters, so that means 48 rolls per 3,78 liters.
They also state that for roll 1-16 no time adjustment is to be made, for 17-32 +1 minute and 33-48 +2 minutes. So that is 1 third normal, second third +1 and last third +2.

Now, let's say I mix 1 liter instead of 3,78 liters. Should I apply the same math to that then, so that 1 liter I can use for 12,7 rolls (48/3,78)? And if so, does that mean that the first 4 rolls is normal, the second third +1 minute and the last +2 minutes? So basically I can do 4 rolls at normal times and so on.

I hope I am making sense, but I haven't quite figured out exactly how they mean. But I suspect I have to make this kind of calculation as the total amount of developer is less if I mix smaller volumes.

Thanks!

Kenny

 

[f16sunshine]

Hello Kenny

I mix tmax Dev at 1:4 and re-use for up to 15 rolls of either 36/135 or 120. At +15 rolls I add an additional 10% time to development. I will do this out to 20 rolls total and then mix new solution.
This is for a 2 liter bottle of mixture (a little more than 1/2 gallon).
My process begins with pre-washing the films to remove as much dye and finger contaminates as possible before pouring in the developer.
I have one time used this out to 35 rolls total by continuing to add time.
My method is not scientific but.... it's worked for me for some time now.
I only mix 1:4 and have never tried a more dilute ratio.
Cheers!

 

[kennylovrin]

Hello Kenny

I mix tmax Dev at 1:4 and re-use for up to 15 rolls of either 36/135 or 120. At +15 rolls I add an additional 10% time to development. I will do this out to 20 rolls total and then mix new solution.
This is for a 2 liter bottle of mixture (a little more than 1/2 gallon).
My process begins with pre-washing the films to remove as much dye and finger contaminates as possible before pouring in the developer.
I have one time used this out to 35 rolls total by continuing to add time.
My method is not scientific but.... it's worked for me for some time now.
I only mix 1:4 and have never tried a more dilute ratio.
Cheers!

Thanks for that! It sounds about right then that based on my logic above and the numbers that I am thinking in the correct term? Of course, I can see how the actual number of rolls can be different, but logically, I am not making a mistake right? 🙂 Based on your numbers it sounds like I could easily get away with 12 rolls on one liter with time extension?

 

[benji77]

Hi Kenny
I reuse T-Max, for example:

1:4 (500ml total) for 4 rolls of 35mm, 2 rolls each time. Depending on the film speed, I add 1-2 min. So far so good. As for the total number of rolls I get from a full bottle of TMax, I will have to go home and calculate the results 🙂

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Anytime you reuse developer you're going to have the possibility of problems. The amount of film you can get through it will vary depending on how dark the negs developed were (rolls of film of white subjects will exhaust developer faster than rolls of dark subjects), and what type of film you run through it.

If you're looking to save money, do this: dilute the developer 1+7 instead of 1+4. You'll use less of it each time you develop, and the image quality is great. Plus, the 1+4 times for many films are very short; the longer 1+7 times help get more even developing.

Kodak publishes 1+7 times for Tmax 100 and Tmax 400 but not for other films. I've tested several films, like Tri-X and Ilford Delta 3200 as well as Tmax 400 at 1+7 times. Kodak's times for Tmax films are good; for the other films, I did my own tests. For most films, I've found that multiplying the manufacturer's 1+4 times by 1.5 will give you a very good result with Tmax developer diluted 1+7.

Kodak also gives 1+9 times for Tmax films in Tmax developer but I have not tried them. I bet they would work too and would save even more money.

Look at my Tech Info link in my signature for my tested times.

 

[kennylovrin]

Thanks for all the replies, I've been thinking of testing 1+7 and 1+9 as well so appreciate the input.

But my original question is more along the lines of "If Kodak states 48 rolls for 3,78 liters, does that mean about 12,6 rolls per liter if I mix it in that size instead?". I know it sounds like an obvious question, but I just want to make sure that when I change the amount of developer I have to change the amount of rolls exacly the same ratio.

Thanks!