I am developing 9 films in T-Max diluted 1:4, but I only have a 7 film tank. Can I use this developer again for the last 2 films, and if so, by how much should I increase the development (at 20C)?

By the way, I can't access the chatroom. Am I doing something wronG? (Have tried via the end of the forums page...)

Reusing diluted developer is pretty much a no-no, especially with large numbers of films-the developer just won't have enough oomph left to give decent negs.It's not worth the risk in my book.

Hi Malcolm. the chat seems ok from here. Were you logged in at the time? Are you behind a corporate firewall or anything, do you have a pop up box stopper that might be stopping the room from popping up, and lastly what browser are you using? Thanks

I use Tmax Dev occasionally and have always had good results. TMax Dev is actually meant to be reused, as its not a one shot developer. I've gone as long as a month with used/diluted developer and didn't have any problems. I can't remember the capacity of the developer though. If you are unsure just make up a new batch or replenish the used dev.

I guess I've made too many idiotic mistakes in the darkroom to risk using the dev twice.

"Don't spoil the ship for a ha'poth of tar" (not Bob Dylan).

I'll try th chat room again, but I'm just a home PC user, so no firewalls or the rest of it. Just the usual anti-virus stuff.

Thanks for the advice.

Do you mean 1:4 from the original concentrate? If so, why not just use 1:7 dilution and do two separate batches of five and four. You'll end up using about the same amount of developer, and the smaller batches will be a lot less awkward to handle during the processing. What kind of film is involved? I routinely use 1:7 for T-100 and T-400; glad to supply my typical times if you want.

Konical

Do you mean 1:4 from the original concentrate? If so, why not just use 1:7 dilution and do two separate batches of five and four. You'll end up using about the same amount of developer, and the smaller batches will be a lot less awkward to handle during the processing. What kind of film is involved? I routinely use 1:7 for T-100 and T-400; glad to supply my typical times if you want.

KonicalYes, I use 1:4 from the original concentrate. The 7 films in the tank were Tmax 400, but the other 2 were HP5 plus, which I did separately.

I develop the T-Max 400 in 1:4 T-Max dev for 9 mins at 20.5C, which gives me quite dense negs, but thats the way I like them. I'd never developed HP5 in T-max before. The recommended time was 6 1/2 mins at 20C, so I gave them 7 mins at 20C and they look OK altho not as much contrast as I like. However I haven't printed them yet. Yes I'd appreciate seeing your times for 1:7 if not too much bother!

Good Afternoon, Malcolm,

Going directly from the original concentrate is the most practical method. I use 1:7 generally; T-Max 400 gets 9 minutes normally, but, if the shots are done with flash on camera, I'll usually cut back to about 8 minutes. T-Max 100 gets 10 minutes normally, with a similar reduction for high-contrast flash shots. Both times assume 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20C). Also, both times are for 35mm and 120. When I use the same concentration for sheet film with continuous agitation in a drum, I usually reduce the times by 10 to 15 percent. Haven't used any HP5, so I can't comment from experience, but it should be fairly easy to establish a "normal" time with a couple of test rolls.

Konical

Malcolm,
1:4 is not really "diluted", beacause this is the standard "stock solution". T-Max Developer can be reused in standard dilution, but I cannot answer your question, because you didn't specify the amount of developer you use. Go to the Kodak Website and search for Tech Pub J86 for details.

Thanks Thilo and Konical. I am learning a great deal!