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ID-11/D-76 Film Developer

Story location: Home / photography /
20/Nov/2002

The standard published versions of ID-11 and D-76 are identical, and is reproduced below. The off the shelf versions are slightly different, but work in much the same way. Development times should be identical. It can be found in many books and internet sites. It is close enough to the off the shelf version for the same developing times to be used.

Water @ 40°C 500ml

Metol 2g

Sodium Sulphite 100g

Hydroquinone 5g

Borax 2g

Water to 1 litre

Dissolve the chemicals in the order listed. Ensure that each chemical is dissolved before adding the next.

ID-11 is designated as a general purpose fine grain developer, and is suitable for virtually every B&W film. Development times for it come with nearly all films. Although the developer may be used full strength (where it is poured back into the bottle and re-used, with an increase in development time for the next film) it is easier to use diluted, where it is treated as a one-shot developer. The most commonly used dilutions are 1+1 and 1+3. If times aren't given for diluted developer, then a good starting point is:

For 1+1, multiply the time in stock developer by 1.4
For 1+3, double the time in stock developer.

One problem with the formulation above is that it will slowly increase in activity over several months of storage (apparently because of oxidation of the hydroquinone. This increases the alkalinity of the developer). One possibility (which I haven't tried) is to use 8g of Borax and 8g of Boric acid. This should give sufficient buffering to keep the developer activity constant. Another solution would be to keep the developer and borax separate. This lowers the alkalinity of the stored solution, which should reduce the rate of oxidation of the hydroquione. If the developer is always used diluted 1+1, then two solutions may be prepared: one containing all the above ingredients except the borax, another containing 2g/litre of borax. Mixing equal volumes of these together will give the working strength solution equivalent to 1+1.

D-76H

This is another variation on the above formula, but without the hydroquinone. This removes the problem of increasing alkalinity.

Water @ 40°C 500ml

Metol 2.5g

Sodium Sulphite 100g

Borax 2g

Water to 1 litre

In use, the developer is identical to the standard ID-11/D-76