Recently, I’ve been bitten by the stand developing bug. I prefer to look at the process not so much as a science, but as an art experiment with rules and guidelines. My first attempt at stand development as push-processing came out quite good, but I noticed that I did not develop long enough to fully bring out the shadows from the Tri-X that I rated at 1250 (I developed for 90 minutes, full stand i.e. no agitation after first minute, using a dilution of Rodinal at 1+100). I have since revised my recipe. Based on other stand recipes and making an attempt to write some “rules” for stand developing, I am posting here my suggestions for stand developing and push processing Tri-X (and other films) based on my recent trials. These recipes have produced very good results for me, but of course your mileage may vary.
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This recipe was developed for two reel Patterson tank, with only one reel processed at a time. For 35mm, one reel is processed, but both are present in tank at time of development. For 120, one reel is processed, and only one reel is present in tank at time of development. This development sheet was developed for use with Tri-X film, but should prove effective for most films.
One roll 35mm film (two reels in tank): 5ml per 500ml Rodinal to distilled water – Rodinal 1+100.
One roll 120 film (one reel in tank): 6ml per 600ml Rodinal to distilled water – Rodinal 1+100.
@ASA 400
• 5 minute water pre-soak.
• Rodinal at 1+100.
• Temperature not important, unless very cool or very warm. (Cooler is better for grain integrity.)
• Pour in developer and very slowly invert the tank, e.g. about 10-20 inversions in 60 seconds.
• 60 minute total development time,
• At 30 minutes slowly swirl the tank (no inversions) for 10-15 seconds.
• Pour out developer and give three water baths, six inversions apiece.
• Fix and wash as normal.
@ASA 800
• 5 minute water pre-soak.
• Rodinal at 1+100.
• Temperature not important, unless very cool or very warm. (Cooler is better for grain integrity.)
• Pour in developer and very slowly invert the tank, e.g. about 10-20 inversions in 60 seconds.
• 90 minute total development time,
• Every 30 minutes slowly swirl the tank (no inversions) for 10-15 seconds.
• Pour out developer and give three water baths, six inversions apiece.
• Fix and wash as normal.
@ASA 1600
• 5 minute water pre-soak.
• Rodinal at 1+100.
• Temperature not important, unless very cool or very warm. (Cooler is better for grain integrity.)
• Pour in developer and very slowly invert the tank, e.g. about 10-20 inversions in 60 seconds.
• 120 minute total development time,
• Every 30 minutes slowly swirl the tank (no inversions) for 10-15 seconds.
• Pour out developer and give three water baths, six inversions apiece.
• Fix and wash as normal.
How would you proceed for two rolls in a 500ml tank?
I have never tested two rolls, so this would be uncharted territory for me. Generally, I stick to one roll at a time. I have heard from other sources that the same solutions as above are adequate.