Processing different films in the same tank?

[stradibarrius]

I did not know if the different emulsions when they go into solution of the developer would have some cross contamination type thing.

[fschifano]

You have a point. I cannot say with any certainty that there is not some effect that might be measurable under very strictly controlled circumstances. However, in practical terms, there is none. I do this quite often when the films in question need the same development time for a given developer and I've never seen any ill effects from the practice. And don't worry about any long term effects either. I've been doing this for a long time, and it's never caused me a problem. If it works for you then go ahead and do it. Maximize the efficiency of your chemistry and time.

[stradibarrius]

that' what I needed to know. Thanks everyone.

[MattKing]

When you think about this, it helps to remember that the film manufacturers design film to be developable (is that a word?) by large scale commercial processors. So at least for developers like D-76/ID-11 or X-Tol, the film should be able to tolerate this nicely.

The answer may depend slightly on the type of developer - something more exotic might bring rise to a problem.

I would be careful about doing this if you typically use minimum amounts of developer to develop your film. For example, if you typically try to stretch 5 ml of HC-110 concentrate out far enough to develop each roll, you may want to be more of a spendthrift .

[lxdude]

Torry.
Can't help it if I'm incorrigible. I'm easily incorriged.

Aww, the moderator fixed the typo. Now I just look tupid.

[srs5694]

The answer may depend slightly on the type of developer - something more exotic might bring rise to a problem.

I have a vague recollection of reading that DS-10 can produce unexpected results when mixing different films in one tank. I don't have a reference for this, though, and it's entirely possible I'm not remembering correctly. A Web search might turn up more information.

[john_s]

I have a vague recollection of reading that DS-10 can produce unexpected results when mixing different films in one tank. I don't have a reference for this, though, and it's entirely possible I'm not remembering correctly. A Web search might turn up more information.

I remember reading on Ryuji Suzuki's web site that HP5+ is a "hungry" film, as far as developers are concerned. Maybe some films use developer more, I don't know. If there is an effect, it would be most prominent with very dilute developers, especially if minimal quantities are used as is often the case.

[Gerald C Koch]

This is not really a good idea. Whether it works or not depends on the mix of films. The development products of one can effect the development of a different film. For example, Delta grain, T-grain et al should be developed by themselves since they release iodide ions which can depress the development rate of other films
.