Film developers monobath

Film developing techniques are being investigated, in particular the use of monobath develop and fixing chemicals. This will be especially useful for developing film on a pile cap - all that will be necessary is to drop the exposed shuttle into one container of chemical. Provided the negative then appears satisfactory any number of different films - colovir or monochrome - could be exposed and developed at leistire in, perhaps, a more appropriate chemical. 

The ability to develop and fix film in one operation is appealing. It eliminates the need for separate stop and fixing baths, and for hardening solutions. Moreover, it does not require precise timing of development and decreases the effect of variations in agitation, temperature, and other processing conditions. A monobath is a single solution that combines the actions of development and fixation in this manner. 

The speed of development can usually be controlled by the alkali content. Sodium hydroxide is used in the monobath formulas given in the Formulas section. Most monobaths which use hydroxide will develop medium speed film in 3 minutes at 75F/24C. Testing is advised. 

When processing is complete, lift the cassette and allow the monobath solution to drain, discard the remaining monobath solution, and immerse the cassette in water of the same temperature. If the correct time and temperature have been used the film will be fully developed and fixed, though it will still require washing. 

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