Re: How many volumn of solution do I need to smoothly process print

On Apr 30, 4:43=A0am, Steven Woody <narkewo...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> How many volumn of solution do I need at least to smoothly process
> print paper in a 12x16 tray? =A0I am afraid my 2 liter bottle is not
> enough to do this. =A0Thanks.
>
> -
> woody

How much you really need is somewhat dependent on the tray and your
technique.  I have a very smooth and flat 8x10 tray and can actually
do fine with 100 ml., although I often use a bit more.  Your tray is
about 2.5 times the area.  If it is smooth and flat and you are not
much more clumsy than me, you should be able to do it with 300 ml.
Even so, 500 ml should be generous.  If your tray has, for example,
deep grooves as some of my larger trays do, you will need a bit more.

Why not take a sheet of plain white paper the size you will use and
try a test?  Put your best estimate of the amount you will need of
water in the tray and try to keep the paper wet (in daylight so you
can see what is going on).  What you need to do is keep the paper wet
and the upper side fully in contact with fresh developer by agitation.

Generally speaking the runway behind you is of no practical use in an
airplane and the liquid (more than a few molecules) above the paper is
not of much use, either.  Still, you have to keep it evenly wet and
circulating (normally with intermittent agitation) for even
development.

A problem that occurs when trying to use the minimum developer is
initially wetting the paper evenly.  There is a bit of surface tension
in liquids and some curling in older paper.  Consequently, I deal with
this (usually) by tipping the tray and putting an edge of the paper
first in the deep end while lowering the tray so the developer flows
over the paper.  Sometimes (particularly if there is a lot of curl) I
simply put it in emulsion side down for a few seconds and then turn it
over with a few seconds of continuous agitation.  Either can work.