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Developer solution


benedict297

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Hi, Just process a roll using Ilford developer. This is the second time I have used it and noticed that the colour has changed dramatically.

 

I understand that this indicates that its past due. But my question is, what is the impact of still using it?

 

I did actually use and and on my film (ilford 3200) the negatives are definitely pale and not contrasty at all. Can anyone advise if this is a plausible result of using old chemicals?

 

Also, is there a way around it? i mean, will it still work and I would say just need to develop it for longer? or is it that once it goes old, you can't use it - full stop.

 

Appreciate any advice.

 

Thanks,

Ben

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What developer is it? And if you used it only twice how long since you last used it and how has it been stored.

 

As regards the pale negatives, I wouldn't read too much into that being developer related just yet, the 3200 is really a 1600 or even 800 film for full tonal rendition, so it may have simply been underexposed. Like all the super fast films, the speed is the max to record 'something', and you should knock at least one stop off to get anything like a normal looking negative.

 

Steve

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Exactly. D3200 is even in a speed enhancing type developer iso 1250 only.

 

Every type film developer is going to oxidate. Depending on the type developer your stock or developer concentrate takes weeks till a few years to go from 100% activity to zero.

 

And when you have made a dillution you should use it up within a few hours. Best option is a "one shot" type film developer, which, the name is already pretty clear, use it only once and then disgard it.

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Ilfosol-S is one of the worst developers in life span, because it is based on Ascorbic Acid which has a very short lifetime when opened in a concentrate. Within 2-3 months it can be finished.

For D3200 and use maximum film speed (which is in reality, depending a bit on the developer) iso 1250-1600, I would suggest DD-X from Ilford. DD-X you can keep for about a year.

Alternative and with a very long life span, HC-110 from Kodak, based on Glycol hence a life span of 3-4 years.

With Rodinal/R09 one shot, your effectieve film speed of D3200 is going down to iso 800 but the life span of this developer is almost in eternity, which is an exception in liquid concentrates. Rodinal/R09 also gives a lot of grain so with D3200 for 35mm is not advisable at all. Rodinal is a para-Amino Phenol type developer working in the surface and producing sharp negatives and with cubical type films, high acutance.

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