Stand Development - Rodinal - Large Tank - Uneven Development

[bwcolor]

A previous thread suggested the wisdom of Rodinol stand development in a large tank and keeping the film centered with empty reels above and below the loaded reels. I have just started developing 35mm Tri-x and even at ISO 1200 I didn't find uneven development when using a double 35mm tank and placing the empty reel on the bottom, film on top. Now, I want to try a four reel tank. Logically, I would think that I could develop three rolls at a time with an empty on the bottom.

How many rolls can you stand develop in a quad 35mm reel tank without suffering uneven development and what empty/loaded reel arrangement do you use?

Do you make any other adjustments when moving to a large tank and multiple reels?

 

[Trius]

I develop 4 rolls at a time in a 4-roll tank, and have never had any problems. The whole uneven development issue impresses me as a myth. I think any problems would more likely be due to mixing issues, not tank/reel configuration.

 

[Trius]

BTW, if you are planning on 1:100 dilution, then ~19 - 20 minutes stand should be fine unless you have underexposed by more than about one stop. @ 1:100, development is to exhaustion, so longer is not beneficial, IMNSHO. In fact, it may be "harmful", but I haven't done any real tests for that hypothesis.

 

[charjohncarter]

BTW, if you are planning on 1:100 dilution, then ~19 - 20 minutes stand should be fine unless you have underexposed by more than about one stop. @ 1:100, development is to exhaustion, so longer is not beneficial, IMNSHO. In fact, it may be "harmful", but I haven't done any real tests for that hypothesis.

I've had uneven development with Rodinal 1+100, but as Trius said find a time that exhaustion takes place and shoot for that. Although, I haven't done it as much as with Rodinal; HC-110 at high dilution has never given me the pleasure of uneven development??????????????? Anyway, I just use greatly reduced agitation with both now and for a specific time. I get great highlight control with this method.

 

[HuubL]

I use 1:100 stand, with a couple of inversions the first minute and after 20 min. I'm not sure about exhaustion after 20 min, but just to be on the safe side, I go to 45 min. Initially, I tried to keep the temp below 20-22C, but the last couple of times outside temp was 25-28C and I couldn't get lower. Results were just fine.