Stand Development

[1750Shooter]

I've developed 35mm HP5+ in HC110 using stand development. Has anyone tried doing 4x5's this way. Part of me says if it works in 35 it should be OK, but there's still a doubt. Thanks for any input.

[j.e.simmons]

Yes, I've done 2x3, 4x5 and 8x10 that way. You might want to be sure you really mean stand development. That usually means letting the film sit in a diluted developer without any agitation at all. Some people report problems with uneven development using that method. I use a scheme called (I think named by Sandy King) extreme minimal agitation. That method does allow some agitation, as do all kinds of other schemes. You can search - there are many threads on this subject. With HC110, people sometimes use the unofficial "H" dilution.

[diversey]

I have done 4x5 films with semi-stand (68F, 1:100 HC110, 60 min)
1) Pre-wet films for 3 min
2) Add HC 110 developer, 1:100, 68F
3) Invert 15-17 times in first 30 seconds
4) Invert 3 times at 30 min
5) At 60 min, stop, fix and wash films as usual.

[jon.oman]

One question, do you have to modify your exposure when using stand development?

[diversey]

No, I do not think so.

[AuditorOne]

For me stand development is most useful if I am unsure how long I should develop a given film. Occasionally I am given film stock that is unmarked, and anyone who may have known anything about it is long gone. Then I'll whip up some Rodinal 1+100, soup the film, agitate once at the beginning, once at 30 minutes and pull it out at 1 hour.

Beyond that I don't use it much anymore. Standard development is not that time consuming or complex so I just use whatever the manufacturer recommends until I have time to work out what type of look I like by experimenting, usually with agitation, sometimes by adding or subtracting time.

[Leigh]

For me stand development is most useful if I am unsure how long I should develop a given film. Occasionally I am given film stock that is unmarked, and anyone who may have known anything about it is long gone. Then I'll whip up some Rodinal 1+100, soup the film, agitate once at the beginning, once at 30 minutes and pull it out at 1 hour.

And what are you accomplishing by using "stand" development.

Rodinal is already a compensating developer.
It works very well as such when used according to the instructions.

If you don't know what film you're using, develop it in Diafine.
The time is the same for all films, and it doesn't care about temperature.

- Leigh

[AuditorOne]

I agree, Diafine can be used. It costs $43 for the powder to mix up a gallon. I have Rodinal, which costs about $13 for 500ml and lasts for a very long time. I use it for normal development and it costs me no more to use it for this purpose. All black and white films can be stand developed in Rodinal for the same period of time, similar to Diafine.

I have used Diafine and Rodinal and both seem to work fine. As long as I maintain my current agitation schedule I haven't experienced any uneven development or other problems. But everyone can certainly make up their own mind, that is why it is good to have choices.