Divided D-76

[Pete Watkins]

I'm bored with my usual film developer so I've had a read of my copy of The Film Developing Cookbook and decided that I'd like to try Vestals Divided D-76 with the modifications recommended by the authors. I develop my sheet film using constant agitation.
I have a few issues.
Mixing temperatures?
Developing temperatures?
Should I pre wash the film (even though Ilford advise against it with their films)?
I usually use my present developer diluted but as a one shot, could I get away with doing this with divided D-76?
5 minutes in each bath is recommended, any variations?
Any other advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Pete.

[Henry Ambrose]

I think you'll want 125 degrees F for mixing the metol.
Room temperature, same each session.
No pre-wash.
One shot is the only way I used it. I also varied the amount of metol and sodium sulfite. Dropping hydroquinone reduces complexity - you're down to 3 components plus water.

Here's some more info on this subject showing variations on what I lump together as "simple metol developers":

http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/DD-23/dd-23.html

Then, you can start adding to the basic formula so its less simple (as if that makes any sense):

"Glycin Metolrita" where I took notice of the similarities of 130 paper developer and D23.
(the "rita" part comes from margarita - with salt on the rim)

http://www.largeformatphotography.in...p/t-26147.html