Suggestions for graduates/beakers

[raydm6]

I am making my first attempt at B&W development and have a question on what to get for proper measuring graduates.

I will be mixing Diafine from the 1 gallon kit using distilled water (not sure how accurate the gallon jugs are but will measure out the 128 ozs. each). After making the 1 gallon of solution A and 1 gallon of solution B, I will transfer each solution to 1-quart amber glass bottles (four for each solution) as I won't be burning through rolls that quickly and will only be using either an 8 oz. or 16 oz steel tank. I figured the 1-quart bottle will be easier to work with and use the other for replenishment.

I understand stop bath for Diafine just needs to be water. For fixer, I ordered Clayton odorless rapid-fixer, and a 16 oz. bottle of Photo Flo.

My question has to do with what size graduates should i get?

I was thinking of getting two of the 32. oz Paterson graduates to use for making the Diafine and hoping they won't be too unwieldy to measure out the 8 or 16 oz. of developer.

Also, I think I need a third beaker for the fixer (what size?) and a separate one to make the Photo Flo to avoid contamination (again what size)? Here is where I am clueless and also not sure how to mix, store and use/re-use them in the proper way.

Any help/insights sharing your techniques on the fixer/photo flo would be appreciated (e.g., do I pour the fixer back in it's bottle when done?) and also, is Photo Flo one-shot? I believe you make a batch and use it once and discard?

Hope I'm not making this harder than it supposed to be.

Thanks,

- Ray

 

[bsdunek]

32 oz. graduates will be fine for your 8 or 16 oz. measurements. I haven't used Diafine for years, but water for stop is fine for film in any developer IMHO. Although I never saw pinholes of other effects when I used acid stop, I quit using it when everyone seemed to think it was bad.
As for your jugs, use your graduates to put 128 oz. of water into them and make a mark with a permanent marker or a piece of good tape.
The third beaker for fix is a good idea. That way you can have it ready without having to wash out a previously used on right away. In my darkroom, fixer goes back into the jug until the recommended number of films has been processed.
I use photo-flo right out of the bottle. There is no need to mix it. I pour a little into the cap of the bottle and then pour it back into the bottle. This leaves just the barest amount in the cap. Put that in your wash water - it's enough. You're just trying to eliminate the surface tension of the water. If you get suds, it's too much.
Darkroom work may seem a little confusing at first, but with a little work you'll get the hang of it and have fun!

I should mention - you may want to have one or two small graduates, say 8 oz. as you will eventually get into measuring small quanities. Just a suggestion.