Divided D-76 Film Developer (Variations)

Divided D-76, along with it's variations, is universal divided film developer having great capacity, long life and consistency in results and relatively panthermic (yielding similar results over a range of temperatures, particularly between 65°F and 80°F.

Divided Developers are usually two baths used in succession without a rinse. After the second bath the film is put directly into an acid-hardening fixer.

The first bath contains all the developer ingredients EXCEPT the alkali, thus, no development takes place in the first bath. It is merely absorbed by the emulsion, not USED, but it is depleted by being carried away in the film. The pH is usually close to 7.0. NO alkali must be allowed in the first bath.

The second bath contains the alkali, and here is where the development actually takes place. It is USED, and has a definite capacity and must be replaced before it is exhausted.

Divided D-76 offers, several advantages over the classical D-76:

  1. Over development is prevented because only a limited amount of developer is present on the film during development.
  2. The negative is thinner which helps produce very fine grain.
  3. Excellent tonal gradation is provided by the slight compensating action of the developer.
  4. Development times are shorter.

BATH (A)
Chemical FDD-76 PD-76 VD-76 FSD-76 AP XAP
Water (95°F) 750 ml 750 ml 750 ml 750 ml 750 ml 750 ml
Phenidone -      0.3 g -      -      0.7 g 0.7 g
Metol 4 g -      2 g 2 g -      1.8 g
Sodium sulfite 100.0 g 100.0 g 100.0 g 50.0 g 100.0 g 100.0 g
Hydroquinone 7.5 g 5.0 g 5.0 g 5.0 g 5.0 g 5.0 g
Potassium Bromide 0.3 g 1.0 g -      1.0 g -      -     
Benzotrizole -      0.2 g -      -      1.2 g 1.2 g
Sodium Bisulfite -      19.0 g -      -      20.0 g 20.0 g
Water to make 1000 ml 1000 ml 1000 ml 1000 ml 1000 ml 1000 ml

BATH (B)
Chemical FDD-76 PD-76 VD-76 FSD-76 AP XAP
Water (95°F) 750 ml 750 ml 750 ml 750 ml 750 ml 750 ml
Sodium Metaborate -      -      -      -      -      -     
Borax 60.0 g 50.0 g 2.0 g 60.0 g -      -     
Sodium Carbonate (mono) -      -      -      -      12.0 g 12.0 g
Sodium sulfite -      -      50.0 g -      100.0 g 100.0 g
Potassium Iodide (0.1%) -      -      -      -      10.0 ml 10.0 ml
Potassium Bromide -      -      -      -      0.5 g 0.5 g
Water to make 1000 ml 1000 ml 1000 ml 1000 ml 1000 ml 1000 ml

 

MIXING THE SOLUTIONS
For Bath (A), dissolve a pinch of Sodium sulfite first, then dissolve the Phenidone and/or the Metol. Make certain it is completely dissolved before adding and dissolving the other ingredients in order.

Potassium Iodide can be made into a 0.1% solution by taking 1.0 gram of Potassium Iodide and dissolving it in water brought up to 1.0 liter total volume.

Use Distilled (or De-ionized) Water for all Baths.

DEVELOPMENT TIMES
The time the film remains in Bath (A) is not important as long as the film is thoroughly soaked. The time the film remains in Bath (B) controls the development and final contrast of the negative. A change of 30 seconds will not be noticeable.

Bath FDD-76 PD-76 VD-76 FSD-76 AP XAP
(A) 3 min. 3 min. 5 min. 3 min. 22 min. 24 min.
(B) 3 min. 3 min. 5 min. 2-4 min. 24 min. 24 min.

AGITATION
Continuous for the first 15 seconds in each bath, then 2 or 3 spiral turns (or 1 inversion) every 30 seconds.

USAGE Bath (A) is reusable and can be returned to its storage container. Bath (B) is used once then disgarded.

SHELF LIFE
The shelf life of Bath (A) in a full stoppered bottle is about six months. The shelf life of Bath (B) in a full stoppered bottle is about three months.

REFERENCE
Divided D-76 Film Developer (Variations) , Darkroom & Creative Camera Techniques, November 1986, p. 29,
Divided D-76 Film Developer, Kit No. 01-0300, Photographers' Formulary, 1-800-922-5255
Divided D-76, The Film Developing Cookbook, Stephen G. Anchell and Bill Troop, p. 85.

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Revised: Apr. 29, 2001