Low temperature B&W film development

kansalliskala · Expire: 2016-12-30

I used to have pretty high temperature in the old place I lived (almost 25 C).

Now my darkroom is sometimes even below 18 C.

Do you think I should star warming it or is it better to use longer times at low temp?

twinquartz · Expire: 2013-10-29

Päivää!
Longer times, of course.
If my memory is correct, around 18 deg C
was the standard temperature for developers
&c in the olden days. Correction: around 20 deg C
according to the semi-old tables I just checked.

berraneck · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 9:50 am Post subject:

20°C is standard temperature, and I wouldn´t go below 18°C. I don´t think that warming the process is a big deal, you just need a bucket full of tempered water - for the time you develop, the temperature won´t change to affect the precision of developing

ForenSeil · Joined: 15 Apr 2011 Posts: 2726 Location: Kiel, Germany.

Slightly colder is better than slightly warmer imho, as in my experience slightly warmer produces more grain with lower tonal range while colder only influences tonal range and microcontrast. But that might differ from film to film.
My suggestion: Simply try it and see if you like the results.

Here two examples with cold (don't remember how cold exactly, maybe 16°C) (Pa)Rodinal and Superpan 200:

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

I like these coldies... excellent both!

davidbrat · Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:00 am Post subject:

Ilford temperature compensation chart don't go below 18°. I think there's a risk of uneven development if it's too cold, if I were you i would try to get 18° at least.

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

The important thing is that the chemicals are of correct temperature (from 20° to 24° C depending on what chemicals) when you start developing.
Then developing times are usually short enough to not produce a significant change in temperature during the process (unless you make stand development of course...)
A room temperature of 18° C should not cause any problem at all for normal developing times of 5 to 10-12 minutes.
Don't forget that all baths *and* the washing water should be at the same temperature of the developer.

kansalliskala · Expire: 2016-12-30

marty · Joined: 09 Apr 2009 Posts: 767 Location: Italy

I concur, 18°C should be fine as long as it doesn't drop further. That said my advice is warm it up just in case, that should make up for a drop and it drops fast. The crucial thing is being consistent, once you establish a method that works just go along that way.

Cheers, M.