I am new to LF but have been developing roll film for a long time. I am now shooting 4x5 sheet film and developing it in a MOD54 Patterson type tank, which of course allows the development of 1 to 6 sheets. The tank requires 1000mL of film developer.

Yesterday, I went out and shot 2 sheets of 4x5. It started pouring rain and will continue the next few days. I am tied up the next 2 weeks so it will be some time before I can go back out.

My question is this, can I develop the 2 sheets in 1000mL and then save the 1000mL of developer and re-use it to develop 4 sheets later? My logic is that the 1000mL of developer is mixed for 6 sheets. If I only develop 2 sheets then it seems to me that I still have “4-sheets worth” of developer left.

Any experiences, thoughts, or comments would be welcome.

Thanks.
Charlie

(Side Note: In the past when developing 6 sheets, I always discard the developer per the instructions. I use Ilford Perceptol and mix 1000mL of Stock per the box instructions. Also, before developing film, I typically mix my Stock 1+1 or 1+2.)