erniethemilk Posted January 20, 2020 Share #1 Posted January 20, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) Does anyone recommend pre washing Tri-X before the developer goes in? Recently started home developing my own black and white film and whilst not having any major issues - as a beginner, I’m wondering if there’s any benefit to a pre wash. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 20, 2020 Posted January 20, 2020 Hi erniethemilk, Take a look here Pre Washing Kodak Tri-X. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted January 20, 2020 Share #2 Posted January 20, 2020 Never bothered myself with B&W film although I do keep everything in a 'bath' to ensure consistent temperature of chemicals/water. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siriusone59 Posted January 20, 2020 Share #3 Posted January 20, 2020 Some claim that doing so will bring the temperature of the film to that of the developer and some say that it helps to eliminate any bubbles that may form when developer is poured in. Years ago when I did B&W Tri-X, I would never pre-wash but I did always allow my film and tank time to warm and would rap the tank slightly on the counter after filling and after each agitation to dislodge any bubbles. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaspart Posted January 20, 2020 Share #4 Posted January 20, 2020 I'm using almost exclusively Tri-X film (135 and 120) and never ever did a pre-wash. I never had any issues. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted January 20, 2020 Share #5 Posted January 20, 2020 I use a Jobo rotating processor and used to get horrible horizontal developing streaks on all my B/W film, no matter what the drum's rotation speed. The problem was solved by a pre-wash,. Even 10 seconds long, as long as the film is wet the first contact with the developer in the rotating drum is even and avoids streaks. There was endless discussion on this topic on Jobo-dedicated websites - anyway, to each his own, whatever works! 4 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCPix Posted January 20, 2020 Share #6 Posted January 20, 2020 Yes - pre wash at 20C. Main reasons for doing this are to get the reels and tank up to temperature and to allow the dev to get full contact immediately with no bubble marks 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted January 20, 2020 Share #7 Posted January 20, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) No. I sit the empty tank with loaded reels in a water bath to bring it up to temperature so I've better control of the developer's temperature. I don't presoak so I've better control of the developer's dilution. I don't have issues. Pete 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siriusone59 Posted January 21, 2020 Share #8 Posted January 21, 2020 I'm glad you started this thread because it raised my curiosity and reminded me of all the Tri-x and Plus-x 120 film that is hiding in my refrigerator. I've found that a lot of people that use Jobo tanks do the pre wash and some of the chemical manufacturers also suggest it. My earlier comment was based on the use of D76 in a stainless tank and that was almost 30yrs ago. Things have certainly changed since then....I've even found one developer that does a one step process, no stop bath or fixer needed! I may have to start searching for my tank and reels so I can clean out the fridge. 😉 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyrogallol Posted January 21, 2020 Share #9 Posted January 21, 2020 1 hour ago, Siriusone59 said: I'm glad you started this thread because it raised my curiosity and reminded me of all the Tri-x and Plus-x 120 film that is hiding in my refrigerator. I've found that a lot of people that use Jobo tanks do the pre wash and some of the chemical manufacturers also suggest it. My earlier comment was based on the use of D76 in a stainless tank and that was almost 30yrs ago. Things have certainly changed since then....I've even found one developer that does a one step process, no stop bath or fixer needed! I may have to start searching for my tank and reels so I can clean out the fridge. 😉 Was the one bath developer/fixer Diafine? I think I tried it once back in the 70’s. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyrogallol Posted January 21, 2020 Share #10 Posted January 21, 2020 23 hours ago, Siriusone59 said: Some claim that doing so will bring the temperature of the film to that of the developer and some say that it helps to eliminate any bubbles that may form when developer is poured in. Years ago when I did B&W Tri-X, I would never pre-wash but I did always allow my film and tank time to warm and would rap the tank slightly on the counter after filling and after each agitation to dislodge any bubbles. Agree, as mentioned in a different topic posting the only time I use a pre soak is with large format sheet film to remove the anti halation purple backing on Adox film and to ensure even development in the print drum on a drum roller base. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siriusone59 Posted January 21, 2020 Share #11 Posted January 21, 2020 30 minutes ago, Pyrogallol said: Was the one bath developer/fixer Diafine? I think I tried it once back in the 70’s. It's a product called Cinestill DF96. I haven't tried it but it sounds interesting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted January 21, 2020 Share #12 Posted January 21, 2020 3 hours ago, Pyrogallol said: Was the one bath developer/fixer Diafine? Fixer is still required when using Diafine. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Einst_Stein Posted February 9, 2020 Share #13 Posted February 9, 2020 On 1/20/2020 at 7:59 AM, erniethemilk said: Does anyone recommend pre washing Tri-X before the developer goes in? Recently started home developing my own black and white film and whilst not having any major issues - as a beginner, I’m wondering if there’s any benefit to a pre wash. It is certainly not a must. Many people claimed never did it and are still happy about their results. It won't make your picture more beautiful, but can better avoid making your picture unnecessary ugly. I found it helped a lot to get more consistent results after I added this step in my flow. I was surprised why I didn't do it before. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
105012 Posted February 9, 2020 Share #14 Posted February 9, 2020 The default programming for the Jobo ATL-1500 for B/W includes a 5 minute pre-wash, which I’ve stuck with for hundreds of rolls and always get a great result. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted February 9, 2020 Share #15 Posted February 9, 2020 On the other hand I've processed B&W for over 55 years, never used a pre-wash, haven't noticed any issues. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Einst_Stein Posted February 11, 2020 Share #16 Posted February 11, 2020 On 2/9/2020 at 3:12 PM, TomB_tx said: On the other hand I've processed B&W for over 55 years, never used a pre-wash, haven't noticed any issues. I think the negative side of prewash is the waste of time and water. The benefit is more consistent results for less experienced or less Decline player. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
105012 Posted February 11, 2020 Share #17 Posted February 11, 2020 I think the use of pre-wetting is very much a matter for experimentation. I have found the default programming made by the Jobo engineers to work brilliantly with HC/HC-110 and Kodak Tri-X, Fujifilm Acros, and Kodak T-Max. However, other film development chemicals etc might produce different results and I would advocate careful testing to determine what is the best for each combination. From Jobo Quarterly #3: "JOBO’s recommendation of a 5 minute prewet of B&W film is probably one of the most disputed suggestions we have made. It causes many people to choose up sides. Certainly many people have chosen to use the prewet, and are more than happy with the continued excellent results they obtain. They have made the other necessary adjustments, and their process is clean and consistent. The original suggestion came from Germany, with the statement that the H&D Curves were closer to the manufacturer's curves when we used a prewet with rotary." Paul Rowe, Technical Manager, JOBO USA. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
105012 Posted February 11, 2020 Share #18 Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) And from the JOBO manual: "A five minute pre-rinse of any black and white film works with the developer to produce a negative with manageable contrast and good tonal range, using the manufacturer's recommended 'hand process' (intermittent agitation) times. To pre-rinse, put a quantity of process temperature water in the tank, equal to, or slightly greater than, the amount of developer. Allow this loaded tank to rotate on the processor for five minutes. At the end of that period, pour out the pre-rinse water, and pour in the developer. Pre- Rinse times shorter than five minutes may produce irregular development, and should be avoided." This is for the more manual CPP/CPE JOBO processors, for the ATL series one doesn't have to do the manual steps, obviously. (Pre-rinse is obviously something you can choose easily and quickly by re-programming your ATL if you so desire). Edited February 11, 2020 by 105012 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted February 11, 2020 Share #19 Posted February 11, 2020 On 2/10/2020 at 12:12 PM, TomB_tx said: On the other hand I've processed B&W for over 55 years, never used a pre-wash, haven't noticed any issues. Same with me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyrogallol Posted February 11, 2020 Share #20 Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) 10 hours ago, gbealnz said: Same with me. Edited February 11, 2020 by Pyrogallol Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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