Reusing Developer ?

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Ian-Barber

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This question is for developing 4x5 sheet film in a Paterson Tank.

Scenario:
Exposed 2 sheets of film and decided that one exposure requires N+1 and the other requires N development time.

  • After developing the N time negative, can I reuse the same developer to develop the second negative ?
 
I suppose you could, but how is this going to work? Are you going to store the used developer a day or two until your tank & reel are completely dry for the next run? Trust me...you don't want to try a second run with a wet reel and tank!

For the record, I've always used all developers as one-shot because I always want to know exactly how it's going to perform.
 
If you are thinking of HC-110 developer Ian the data sheet says 1 litre of developer will process 10 - 10x8 sheets or 40 - 4x5 sheets before replenishment and as the Mod54 will process six sheets simultaneously I would think that you could safely use 1 litre six times provided it's not left too long between sessions - and that's not a problem with the Mod54 system as you can dry all the components in a few minutes.
 
Ian-Barber said:
This question is for developing 4x5 sheet film in a Paterson Tank.

Scenario:
Exposed 2 sheets of film and decided that one exposure requires N+1 and the other requires N development time.

  • After developing the N time negative, can I reuse the same developer to develop the second negative ?
Click to expand...

You can re-use certain developers like ID11, for example, but only at stock strength. Dilute developers are normally for one-shot use. If you re-use ID11, or similar, you need to follow the instructions for extending the development time. That could make your calculations for extended, or contracted development times a bit more complicated.
I use HC110, but I'm not sure it can be used other than as a dilute one-shot solution. You also have to be aware of the minimum volume of concentrate needed for each film.
It would be best to store your exposed sheets in batches marked N, N+1 etc, until you have enough of each type to do a batch at a time. I know that's not always practical, but it would help you achieve greater consistency in your processing.
Tonight, I am sitting with two exposed sheets of one type of film, along with two of an entirely different type, and trying to find a developer/time combination that will allow me to process all four in the one tank!
Alex.
 
Yes you can, but you have to add some more time, to know how much time, you have to test it, so...is it really an economy ?
 
Re-using developer, with or without a replenishment regime, has been in used in commercial and professional labs for decades and data sheets have always been available for anyone that wants to give it a try. I used it frequently, albeit over twenty years ago, and I simply gave a cumulative 5 - 10% increase in dev time per film within the makers recommendations. I'm not saying it's for everyone but the options are there so if anyone wants to try it, why not? :D
 
I have reused developers, but it's been many years since I last did it, and I was using a developer that did have a replenisher.

Chemically, development is an oxidation/reduction process, with the developer getting oxidised in the process (which is what "wears it out"). Hence the advice to keep developers as free as possible from atmospheric oxygen by full bottles and inert gas sprays. This has a slight bearing on the topic, as reusing the developer means that it will go through two (at least) more empty/fill cycles; and when you pour a liquid into a container you can do so down the side with minimum aeration or pour centrally and mix in air (try it with water plus washing up liquid and see how the number of bubbles varies). I have no idea what the difference would be, if any, in practice, but if reusing I'd personally keep this in mind and watch how I poured. It was recommended (may still be, for all I know) to pour liquid developer concentrates in down the side of a glass rod to reduce oxidation when making up the solution for use.
 
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