Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/09/02

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Subject: Re: [Leica] B&W Film
From: Christer Almqvist <chris@almqvist.net>
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 1999 10:22:35 +0000

 My agitation is following: first 30 seconds
>continuously, and then one inversion per minute (if I know the whole film
>was shot in low contrast situations, I do two inversions per minute). The
>more you agitate the more grain you'll get.
>
>Jiri D.

As you said, the more you agitate the more grain you'll get. But it is not
only a question of how long or how often you agitate, but also how you
agitate.

Kodaks own instructions are interesting. For T-Max developer they say
"agitate vigorously", and for Xtol they say "agitate gently". They have a
reason for using different terminology.

Try the following: lift the tank -gently-  a couple of inches, then
- -gently- turn it round its own axis, wait a second or two to let the liquid
settle in its new position, then -gently- turn it back round, (wait a
second or two and repeat turning as you wish), and then -gently- set the
tank down. It makes a difference to the grain if you do it this way or if
you shake the tank like a bar tender.

- --
christer almqvist
eichenstrasse 57, d-20255 hamburg, fon +49-40-407111 fax +49-40-4908440
14 rue de la hauteur, f-50590 regnéville-sur-mer, fon+fax +33-233 45 35 58