> I'm working on gathering the stuff I need to develope B&W films
Rod,
Good man.
> Anyway, since it's what I've always used, I'll go for D76 1+1 [...] I've heard
> the dark brownish glass flasks are the way to go, only opening it
> when you use it. How many times can D76 1+1 be re-used with good results?
None.
That is, it cannot be re-used. Once it is diluted to 1+1 it should be used
one time and then discarded.
> And
> how much should development time be extended after how many times of usage?
> How long can you keep the developer good in terms of months, on the condition
> of good storing?
Packaged D-76 is somewhat different from the classic published formula, in
that it has some preservatives in it, and is more stable in regards to pH. I
keeps quite well as a stock solution.
Here's what I do. I buy packaged D-76 in half-gallon sizes. I mix a half
gallon at a time and decant it into brown-glass pint (16 oz.) bottles. I got
my brown glass bottles at an ordinary pharmacy, for a few dollars; however,
I've been told that most pharmacies no longer stock these, having switched
over almost entirely to plastic. On the good side, I've been re-using the
same brown-glass pint bottles for twenty years.
Then I simply mix the 16-oz. bottle of stock solution with 16 oz. of water
before use. Since I use a quart-sized developing tank, it makes the correct
amount.
It's a neat and efficient system.
--Mike
P.S. If you haven't used all four pint bottles of developer within a
several-month period, SHOOT MORE.
