monobath developing for B&W sheet film for students processing at home?

[Chester McCheeserton]

Anyone tried this stuff?
https://www.freestylephoto.biz/800342-CineStill-Df96-Monobath-for-BandW-Film-1-Liter (http://https://www.freestylephoto.biz/800342-CineStill-Df96-Monobath-for-BandW-Film-1-Liter)

I'm only considering it because I'm being asked to teach a class and there will be no darkroom access due to covid...if it works might be more feasible for students processing at home.

[jmdavis]

It's pretty easy to process with developer, stop and fix at home using the ilford wash method. How cost effective is the mono bath. At 1:14 (what I use in the summer with 35mm and ilfosol it is economical. Of course Pyrocat is even more economical. But I don't know what people are willing to pay. I couldn't afford photography until I was out of college and had a job.

[jmdavis]

Some math shows that 1l of df96 for $19.99 will handle 16 rolls.

.5l of Ilfosol 3, ilfostop, and rapid fix will develop 22, stop 150 and fix 62 with reuse of fix and stop and 1:14 dilution of dev for $36. With a liter of Ilfosol double the development and add $3.

A gallon pack of d76 for $9.99 could do 100 rolls

[Chester McCheeserton]

Thanks, yea you're right if looks expensive compared to the traditional way...these kids can mostly afford it though...I guess by feasible what I meant to write was straightforward and simple for those who are doing it in their bathroom or kitchen...

[LabRat]

If I remember correctly, one problem with monobaths is the development is somewhat incomplete, and incomplete fixing can lead to a base fog or archival issues...

There is a book "Monobath Manual" (?) by Grant Haist that is a through review (mid-sixties)... I have a copy somewhere, but didn't test formulas as I thought the conclusion was that all formulas were a compromise between dev and fixing and not much trouble to use dev/water stop/fixer in a pinch... Didn't have an application that saving precious minutes was needed, like rapid access systems...

Maybe if I set-up an automatic photo booth etc or something...

Steve K