The DARKROOM COOKBOOK, Third Edition

Film Development 43
fi rst 60 seconds. After that, agitate for ten seconds every minute. It is usually recommended
to use continuous agitation in the second bath.
The temperature of development is not as critical for divided development as singlesolution
processing, but for best results, keep the temperature of all solutions the same,
between 68F/20C and 80F/27C.
Water Bath Development
Water bath development is similar to divided development. Both methods are useful for
reducing overall contrast while maintaining density in the key shadow areas.
There are two major differences between divided and water bath development. The fi rst
is agitation. In divided development, agitation takes place in both the fi rst and second baths.
In water bath development, the fi lm is gently placed into the second bath and left without
motion for two to three minutes.
The second difference is that divided development is a once-in, once-out process: once
in A, once in B, rinse, then fi x. Water bath development is meant to be a repeatable process.
After immersion in the second bath, the fi lm is returned to the A bath and the process
repeated as many times as necessary to achieve the desired contrast or density. For this reason,
water bath development is best used in conjunction with development by inspection.
A problem sometimes experienced when using water bath development with conventional
and modern emulsions is streaking, which can ruin the fi lm. It may be possible to
eliminate the problem by using a 3% sodium sulfi te solution (3.0 grams sulfi te to 100.0 ml of
water) in place of plain water in the second bath. This will create somewhat less compensation,
but it is better than ruining the negative.
Additionally, water bath methods usually result in a loss of fi lm speed. Should you choose
to use this method, overexpose by at least one stop.
Technique of Water Bath Development The overall method for water bath development is to immerse
the fi lm in the developer for two to three minutes with continuous agitation in a tray. The
fi lm is then moved to the plain water or 3% sodium sulfi te bath. It should be completely
immersed in the water bath and left motionless for two to three minutes then moved back
to the developer. The entire procedure is repeated as many times as necessary using a green
safelight with a 15-watt bulb to check the progress of development. Turn the light on briefl y
after each immersion in the water bath and hold the negative up to it at a distance of three to
four feet for 20 seconds or less.
It is recommended to use a 1 minute running water bath in place of a stop bath with this
method.
Extreme Compensating Developers
Compensating developers are those that give proportionally full development to the shadow
and middle values, while limiting the degree of development in the high values. Extreme
compensating developers, such as those included in the Cookbook, are used to arrest the