Dektol for Lane Speed Plates? D-76?

[RLangham]

So I've recently gotten a box of J. Lane's ASA 25 Dry Plates, in 4x5" size. I've only shot two (as I have only one plate holder.)

I'm wondering if any of you have had any results with D-76 or Dektol on these plates?

I shot both plates as duplicates, at or just below box speed (1/30 and f/11 in broad daylight) and developed one in expired Dektol, 3:1 dilution, for ten minutes, agitating for ten seconds every minute, and it came out... extremely thin, with only highlights even visible. This same gallon batch of Dektol, diluted identically, developed many beautiful and contrasty negatives on Shanghai 100 at seven minutes, similar agitation.

So my questions are:
Is D-76 better for these? If so, how long and with what agitation?
Would stock Dektol be a feasible option? If so, same question.
Is there another developer you would recommend for about the same price as a liter kit of D-76 or a gallon kit of Dektol (about 7-15 USD?) If so, same question.


(And yes, I know Dektol is a paper developer. However, my film lab gave me a half-dozen bags of expired Dektol for free.)

[Nodda Duma]

Way underdeveloped. Check out the Technicals and Tips page at www.pictoriographica.com

D-76 and Dektol dev times both listed tgere...for stock solutions.

[RLangham]

Ah, I didn't see that when I glanced at the website. Using straight Dektol gets expensive, though. Unless... can you reuse Dektol if you don't dilute it?

[Nodda Duma]

You can reuse a plethora of developers including Dektol stock and diluted. Check Kodak’s data sheet for guidance.