Please bear with me, I'm 'almost a virgin' in the darkroom.
When kodak says Xtol diluted 1:1 is for one time use what does that mean? I tray develop 4 sheets at a time typically. This time I have quite a few sheets of film to process so the question is this: since Kodak recommends 100ml of full strength developer per 80 square inches (one sheet) and assuming I use 3L of 1:1 solution in an 11x14 tray I should be able to develop up to 15 sheets (I figure 12 to be safe) - but does Kodak's 'one time use' mean I have to trash the developer after the first four sheets - or does it just mean that the solution can't be stored for re-use at a later date? Does the 1:1 solution stay viable over a three to four hour period?
Is 3L in an 11x14 tray enough? Previously I've used 1 gallon (as recommended by Simmons) but I've seen where others mention 2.5 to 3L for an 11X14 tray. I agitate bottom to top with up to four sheets.
I seem to take about five seconds to move a sheet from the bottom of the stack to the top - is this about right for a stack of four sheets with continuous agitation for the duration of the development time?
At some point in the future I will probably look at drum development because of the apparent frugality of chemical use, but for now I'm concentrating on improving my tray developing techniques.
I appreciate any input from you all. This forum has been a gold mine of information and encouragement in getting me started with large format photography
-- an itch I finally scratched after many years.
-Chris
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